2011 NFL Draft Results: Arizona Cardinals Pick Sam Acho For Some Pass Rushing

As we get into these later rounds, Cardinals fans will look for Ken Whisenhunt and Rod Graves to pick players that will fill gaps on our football team. That means a guy that can rush off the edge, some sort of an offensive lineman and maybe, just maybe, a signal caller. 

Well folks, the Arizona Cardinals fourth round pick fills one of those holes as they take Sam Acho, DE/OLB, Texas.

Here are some thoughts and stats on Acho from Darren Urban over at Azcardinals.com 

The Cardinals begin the final day of the draft by getting a pass rusher they needed in Texas linebacker Sam Acho in the fourth round. At 6-foot-1 and 260 pounds, Acho is going to have a transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4, but as a senior, he had nine sacks, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. He was also a three-time all-academic selection in the Big 12.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said he is a ‘tweener, not quite an OLB but not quite a DE. But with O'Brien Schofield and Will Davis already around (along with veterans Clark Haggans and Joey Porter for now), Acho could be a pass rusher only at first until he is ready for something bigger.

Acho said he actually played OLB the first two years of college before moving to defensive end, so he expects to be able to make the transition. Interestingly, he said he had no specific contact with the Cardinals before the draft, so he was a little surprised. But Acho - who comes across as smart as his resume indicates - clearly is happy to be coming to Arizona.

By all indications, Acho appears to be a very intelligent player that can get to the quarterback. He creates havoc in the opponents' backfield, causing fumbles and creating turnovers. 

Now we can wait for the presser and see what Whisenhunt and Graves have to say about Arizona Cardinals new pass rusher, Sam Acho.