FanPost

Is Josh Mauro the next Cardinals UDFA to get a HUGE Payday?

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014 Stanford defensive end Josh Mauro went undrafted. Garnering interest from both the Steelers and Cardinals, he was signed quickly by the Steelers as a priority UDFA.

As fate would have it, the Cardinals 5th rounder Ed Stinson suffered a turf-toe injury and the undrafted Josh Mauro was poached off the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad on Nov. 14, 2014. It proved to be valuable move by Steve Keim.

The 6-6, 282-pounder lineman didn't know he'd be starting his first NFL game just 9 days after arriving with the Cardinals. When the Seahawks opened with the corresponding personnel, Mauro's NFL career began with a baptism by fire.

The 23-year-old impressed, recording two tackles, one for a loss, and a pass breakup in 22 snaps. "Josh Mauro would have gotten a game ball if we would have won the game," coach Bruce Arians said. "He played his tail off, stout at the point of attack. Really, really nice surprise."

When asked about his debut Mauro said he graded out "pretty well" in his 22 snaps. Steve Keim had high praise for the rookie as well. "He played excellent," Keim said. "He’s a guy, actually, that stood out."

Over the last three seasons, Mauro has played in 34 games for Arizona, recorded 19 starts and notched 70 tackles. Since 2013 no other drafted player 4th round and beyond, except Alex Okafor, has started more games than the undrafted gem.

Mauro has brought impressive versatility to the Cardinals' defensive line, something that Steve Keim values highly from his draft picks. In an interview with Rudy Rude Dog Reyes AM 970 ESPN Pittsburgh Mauro stated he played from a 9-tech to nose tackle in Stanfords diverse scheme.

In 2017 Mauro can expect increased snaps playing alongside Peters and second year Robert Nkemdiche with the first-team Cardinals' defense. Look for Mauro's play and production continue to impress coaches and fans alike. He's an unheralded dark horse primed to see his stock climb much like UDFA Jefferson's did during his time with the Cardinals.

<em>This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.</em>