The Cardinals are bringing in another veteran edge defender. Former Jaguars and Dolphins defensive end Andre Branch agreed to terms with the Cardinals on a one-year deal, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com notes.
Branch spent the past three seasons in Miami but was one of the many veterans the Dolphins jettisoned this offseason. The Cardinals recently released Matt Longacre, and Branch looks like the team’s latest veteran depth option in its Chandler Jones– and Terrell Suggs-fronted group. Branch, 30, met with the Cardinals in June.
While Branch has only played in 4-3 schemes, the Cardinals are likely adding him to rush the passer. So, his role in their 3-4 scheme likely does not stand to be too different. Branch also played under new Cardinals DC Vance Joseph in 2016. No other team was connected to the seven-year veteran this offseason.
The former second-round Jaguars pick has 25.5 career sacks (1.5 in 14 games last season). He registered 10 between the 2016 and ’17 seasons, with the Dolphins previously signing him to a three-year, $24MM deal. Branch joins Suggs and Brooks Reed as Jones complementary cogs Arizona added this year.