When the Arizona Cardinals completed the 2025 season, there was a glaring problem with the defense: poor tackling. During the offseason, GM Monti Ossenfort put a gold star on his list of things to do and players to bring in: Get good tacklers.
The offense received the bulk of draft picks in the NFL draft this past week, to the tune of five of the seven picks.
RELATED: CARDINALS SELECT LINEBACKER IN SIXTH ROUND
In the sixth round, Ossenfort took a production linebacker when he selected Karson Sharar
out of Iowa.
Last year, safety Budda Baker was ranked #27 in total tackles (120) leaguewide. The highest total for a linebacker was Akeem Davis-Gaither at #33 with 117. Yet, Ossenfort did not re-sign Davis-Gaither, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts during free agency.
Not that the franchise has some giant holes with the linebacker group. Including Sharar, the Cardinals currently have 11 bodies in this group under contract.
That list includes:
Projected starters/ backups/ third string
- MIKE Mack Wilson – Jack Gibbens – Austin Keys
- SAM Zaven Collins – Baron Browning – B.J. Ojulari
- WILL Cody Simon – Owen Pappoe – Karson Sharar
The other LB’s are Elliott Brown and undrafted rookie Cameron Robertson. Usually, a club will keep six linebackers on its final roster.
Who is Sharar? Where did he come from?
Beginnings
Sharar grew up in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and attended Iowa Falls-Alden High School.
His parents are Lincoln and Kim Sharar. His father played tight end and linebacker at Northern Iowa, where his future wife also attended. There is a daughter, Ella, who was a basketball star who played at Ellsworth Community College and later transferred to Wayne State College.
High School accolades:
- First-Team IPSWA All-State
- Second-Team IPSWA All-State (2020)
- Three-time First-Team Des Moines Register 3A All-District
He had offers from Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, and Iowa. Despite his father being a legend at Northern Iowa, he chose the larger school, Iowa.
Sharar played five seasons at Iowa with the first three mainly on special teams. His final season totals are 83 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, four sacks, one batted pass, and one forced fumble.
College accolades:
- Honorable mention All-Big Ten
- Two-time Hustle Award winner
- Dean’s List student
His Pro Day results:
Height: 6’-2”
Weight: 231 pounds
Hand: 9”
Arm: 32 1/8”
Wingspan: 80 1/4”
40-yard dash: 4.56
10-yard shuttle: 1.59
3-cone: 6.98
225-pound bench press: 13 reps
Vertical jump: 40”
Broad jump: 10’3”
College games: 20
College snaps: 812
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Follow on social media:
Twitter: @karson_sharar
Instagram: @karson.sharar
What should Cardinals fans expect from Sharar?
Very productive tackler, had 83 tackles last season alone. He will stick to the same blueprint that led to success at each level of his football career with hard work. He loves the game, and it shows. He will do whatever is needed. In college, he was just 195 pounds, and the strength and conditioning coaches wanted him to get some beef on his frame. He eventually became 220 pounds, which gave him more pop in his tackles. The Big-10 was a physical conference, and so will be the NFL. Sharar is quick to tell everyone that being a part of the Iowa culture and tradition means a lot.
WHY HE COULD SUCCEED:
Excellent against the run. Will be a demon on special teams as a rookie and learn from the seasoned veterans. Good speed and pursuit abilities. Motor runs hot. His athletic ability stands out. Very good closing skills and can guess his angles. He’s rarely fooled by misdirection and scrambles to recover and is a willing chance taker.
Sharar is a fearless contributor on kickoff and punt coverage teams. On defense, he plays with quick recognition and is very effective as a blitzer.
WHY HE COULD FAIL:
He will be overaggressive at times and has a lack of length. He also misses too many tackles. Sharar lacks discipline and detail in getting into gaps. A lot of special teams reps played only one season as the starter on defense. His production masks inconsistencies in the box. Subpar pursuit speed. Will play very well on special teams and can be a functional backup. He will need to really show out if he expects to make the final roster, which will keep just six linebackers.
