Regarded as a four-star recruit by ESPN, Key was ranked as the No. 6 defensive end prospect in the class of 2015.[3]
College career
As a true freshman at LSU in 2015, Key played in 12 games and started the final nine. He recorded 41 tackles and five sacks and was named a freshman All-American.[4][5] As a sophomore in 2016, he set a single-season school record by recording 12 sacks.[6] He earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the Associated Press.[7] As a junior in 2017, Key was limited to 8 games due to injury, but finished with 33 tackles, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble. On January 4, 2018, Key officially announced that he would be entering the 2018 NFL Draft.[8]
Prior to Key's junior season, he was projected as the number one overall prospect for the 2018 NFL Draft by Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports.[12] In January 2018, he was ranked as the number two draft prospect at the outside linebacker position, behind Tremaine Edmunds of Virginia Tech, by Mel Kiper of ESPN.[13] Key was projected to be an early first round selection, but his off-the-field issues caused his draft stock to plummet.
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders
Key was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round as the 87th pick overall.[14]
After having two sacks in the final two games he played in the 2019 season, Key suffered a broken foot and was ruled out the rest of the season. He was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2019.[15]
Key was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 18, 2020,[16] and activated three days later.[17] On December 26, 2020, in a Week 16 home game against the Miami Dolphins, Key committed a 15-yard personal foul penalty when he grabbed the facemask of Dolphin QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on a play where the Dolphins gained 34 yards; the penalty and catch put Miami in field goal range and Miami hit one from 44 yards to earn a 26-25 win, which eliminated the Raiders from playoff contention.
On March 30, 2022, Key signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[20] He played in all 17 games with three starts, recording 27 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Tennessee Titans
On March 20, 2023, Key signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Tennessee Titans.[21] He played in 17 games with nine starts, recording 30 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles.
^Alper, Josh (March 30, 2022). "Jaguars sign Arden Key". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.