The Arizona Cardinals have the 33rd overall pick in the NFL draft, which is the first selection of the second round. Because of how the first round played out, a number of players expected to be taken were not and are now available for the Cardinals to select.
In particular, at wide receiver, three players stand out as potential targets with the 33rd pick.
Mississippi WR D.K. Metcalf
Metcalf was believed by many to be the No. 1 receiver in the draft class. He is a physical specimen and has top-end speed. In terms of talent, he is compared to Josh Gordon.
Some question his route running, but his size, strength, speed and playmaking ability could to pass up. Plus, his ability to get behind defenders and make plays on the ball could be deadly in an offense led by Kyler Murray, who can extend plays.
Metcalf also has family ties to the Cardinals. His grandfather and uncle both played for the Cardinals.
Mississippi WR A.J. Brown
Metcalf’s teammate at Ole Miss, A.J. Brown, is also available for the Cardinals. He had 85 catches for more than 1,300 yards last season and had more than 1,200 yards the season before. He doesn’t have the blazing speed Metcalf has but is a good route runner. The Cardinals do have their eye on Brown.
Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury will know a lot about Butler, coming from the Big 12. Butler has a size/speed combination no one else offers. He is 6-5 with a 36-inch vertical and ran the 40 in less than 4.5 seconds.
He caught 60 passes in 2018 for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 22 yards per reception.
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