What Cardinals fans can expect from NFL draft pick Karson Sharar, an insider perspective
TL;DR
Karson Sharar, a linebacker from Iowa, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He had a standout final season, starting all 13 games and recording 83 tackles.
Key points
- Karson Sharar was selected 183rd overall by the Arizona Cardinals.
- He played 48 games during his college career at Iowa.
- Sharar started all 13 games in his final season.
- He recorded a career-high 83 tackles last season.
Mentioned in this story
Iowa linebacker Karson Sharar was selected in the sixth round, 183rd overall, by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sharar appeared in 48 games during his Hawkeye career. Last season, Sharar took on a bigger role, starting all 13 games for the Hawkeyes. It was by far the most productive season of Sharar's college career. His 83 tackles were almost seven times more than his previous single-season high.
We asked Hawk Central football writers Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman for some quick analysis on Sharar. Here's what they said.
What kind of player was Karson Sharar at Iowa?
Tyler Tachman: Sharar, a product of Iowa Falls, Iowa, appeared in 48 games during his Hawkeye career, including 13 starts. Sharar mostly existed in the shadows until his final season at Iowa. He was behind some exceptional linebackers during his time in the program, such as Jack Campbell, Seth Benson, Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson. To his credit, Sharar did not bolt for the transfer portal, instead sticking it out with the Hawkeyes, despite not being in a featured role on defense. Last season, Sharar finally took on a bigger role, starting all 13 games for the Hawkeyes. It was by far the most productive season of Sharar's college career. His 83 tackles were almost seven times more than his previous single-season high. His 12 tackles for loss were 12 times his previous single-season high. All four of his career sacks at Iowa came last season. Two of those four sacks came against Heisman Trophy finalist Diego Pavia during Iowa's win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Chad Leistikow: The small-town Iowa kid who started for one season is one of the most athletic and explosive linebackers the Hawkeyes have ever had. Sharar’s sacks of Diego Pavia in the ReliaQuest Bowl helped shift the tenor of that game, allowing Iowa to take down Vanderbilt, 34-27. Sharar will have instant special-teams value in all phases at the NFL level and could develop into a weak-side linebacker over time.
More: Cardinals pick Iowa LB Karson Sharar in NFL draft: Highlights, stats
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa insiders on what to expect from Arizona draft pick Karson Sharar
Q&A
What were Karson Sharar's college statistics at Iowa?
Karson Sharar played in 48 games and recorded a career-high 83 tackles in his final season, starting all 13 games.
Which NFL team drafted Karson Sharar in 2026?
Karson Sharar was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round, 183rd overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft.
How did Karson Sharar perform in his last season at Iowa?
In his last season at Iowa, Karson Sharar had his most productive year, starting every game and achieving 83 tackles.