Niner Noise
FanSided

Four Rising Stars in the NFC West

By Peter Felsch

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 06: Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 06: Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Markus Golden, OLB Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals selected Golden in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Missouri, and it looks like it could be the best pick of that draft.

Golden had a decent rookie year with 4.5 sacks but exploded onto the scene last year as a pass-rush specialist, getting 12.5 sacks last year.

According to Pro Football Focus, he had 53 total QB pressures and added to his run stops to 41. It helps being opposite of Chandler Jones opening up opportunities.

It would not be a surprise to see Golden replicate those numbers once again this season.