Most mock draft simulations have the Arizona Cardinals taking Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray. That does not happen in this simulation at The Draft Network, where Ohio State DE Nick Bosa is the first pick and Kyler actually is taken by the New York Giants.
Here’s the full simulation (no trades were made):
Round 1, Pick 1: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio St.
Viewed by many as the best player in the draft, Arizona did not pass up the former Buckeye according to their Predictive Board.
Bosa, of course, would form quite a pairing with Chandler Jones and also was brought in by the team for a visit.
Round 2, Pick 1: Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College
Lindstrom would certainly be a strong selection if he were available at pick No. 33, and could push either Justin Pugh or J,R. Sweezy for a starting guard spot.
This would be a pick that most Cardinals fans would be likely excited about.
Round 3, Pick 1: Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
The Cardinals double down to help the offensive line improve for Josh Rosen, taking the large tackle in McGary. He could easily sit several games or a whole year behind their current starting tackles, then be ready to take over in 2020.
Round 4, Pick 1: Mecole Hardman, WR, Georgia
The Cardinals finally address their need at wide receiver in Round 4, taking the ultra quick Hardman.
It seems an odd fit, but remember that Kliff Kingsbury has had much success with smaller slot receivers during his time at Texas Tech. Plus, he has return capabilities and could be used on special teams.
Round 5, Pick 1: Terry Beckner, DT, Missouri
Arizona finally addresses another huge need in Round 5, taking a chance on a player who works hard but is likely to fall to Day 3 due to injury in Beckner.
He would add much-needed depth behind the current 3 starters and could be a steal if he should stay healthy.
Round 6, Pick 1: Kendall Sheffield, CB, Ohio State
If the Cardinals were to make this pick in real life, the hope would be that this Big 10 corner would make the roster.
Sheffield seems to be a bit of a project, but one that Vance Joseph would seem to enjoy.
Round 6, Pick 6: Cameron Smith, LB, USC
Adding depth at positions of need on Day 3 would be great for the Cards, and adding a guy like Smith would make sense, given the lack of linebacker depth behind Haason Reddick and Jordan Hicks.
Smith could be a good fit in the 3-4 defense and was a four-year starter at USC — if he could learn to play special teams, he really could be a great Day 3 pick.
Round 7, Pick 34: Andrew Wingard, S, Wyoming
It would make sense at some point for Arizona to possibly add a safety, given today’s NFL. Wingard’s not super athletic, but much like with Sheffield, he could be an effective backup in some systems, which would be worth the gamble here.
Round 7, Pick 35: Donald Parham, TE, Stetson
Here’s a name a few internet scouts have probably heard of. Parham turned heads at the Senior Bowl with his 6-foot-8 frame, though he had to sit out due to injury.
He has the upside to be a fantastic move tight end in an offense like Kingsbury’s, though he likely will require some coaching.
Round 7, Pick 40: Travis Homer, RB, Miami
It seems very likely that should Arizona have a couple of seventh-round picks they will likely take a running back, as they have brought several in for visits despite a lack of obvious need.
Homer has led the Hurricanes in rushing the past two years and is decent in pass protection. He’d fill a need behind David Johnson and Chase Edmonds as possibly an excellent fill in from time to time.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
