Karson Sharar has quickly transitioned from a late-round draft selection into an active contributor on special teams for the Arizona Cardinals, providing a tangible look at how general manager Monti Ossenfort fills out the backend of an NFL roster. Selected out of Iowa with the 183rd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Sharar arrived in Arizona with a reputation for high-motor defensive play and a relentless downhill playing style that naturally translates to the third phase of the game.
Tracing Karson Sharar’s Path From Iowa to Arizona
The road to the NFL for Sharar required patience and a breakout final campaign in Iowa City. As a fifth-year senior during the 2025 college football season, he locked down a starting role for the Hawkeyes and spearheaded their defensive front by racking up 83 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, according to Sports Illustrated. Draft analysts noted his explosive closing speed, which regularly allowed him to track down agile ball carriers in space, though scouts also pointed out that his aggressive pursuit style occasionally led to missed tackles.
When the Cardinals called his name on draft day, they secured a player whose athletic profile and vocal leadership fit the exact mold of a Monti Ossenfort draft pick. Sharar addressed his versatility immediately after being selected, telling reporters, “I think I’m a versatile linebacker. I can play multiple positions. I’m able to play MIKE, WILL or play off-ball. And I’m good at pressuring and getting in some TFLs and sacks here and there.”
Earning Stripes on Special Teams Amid Veteran Depth
Breaking into a crowded NFL linebacker room is no small feat for a rookie, let alone a sixth-round selection. In Arizona, Sharar stepped into an inside linebacker corps that already featured established names like Mack Wilson, Cody Simon, and free agent acquisition Jack Gibbens, as detailed by Sports Illustrated. Realistically, earning regular defensive snaps requires time, meaning special teams acts as the immediate proving ground for a young defender.
Sharar embraced that reality head-on, recognizing that core special teams snaps offer the fastest route to game-day impact. “I think special teams is a really big part of the game. Knowing you can go out there and make a game-changing play,” Sharar noted following his selection, via Sports Illustrated. “Just compete at that very high level and just try to make a play for the team. Contribute in any way you can, just going out there, bringing the energy and being ready to go and just be able to change the game at any moment, I think, is a crucial part of the game.”
Building for the Future Within the 2026 Cardinals Draft Class
Sharar represents just one piece of a multi-layered 2026 draft strategy deployed by the Cardinals front office. The organization infused youth across multiple position groups, starting at the top with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at third overall and Texas A&M interior lineman Chase Bisontis at pick 34. The Cardinals also added Miami quarterback Carson Beck in the third round at pick 65, Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor at pick 104, and Texas Tech wide receiver Reggie Virgil at pick 143, alongside their later selections.
For a developmental prospect like Sharar, showing up and performing reliably on special teams units is the definitive benchmark for turning a late-round flyer into a long-term roster fixture. As the 2026 season progresses, his ability to translate college production into disciplined, high-speed coverage and containment will dictate just how quickly his role expands beyond the third phase of the game.
How do you evaluate late-round draft picks who have to carve out their initial NFL roles on special teams? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts on the Cardinals’ rookie class.
