This years draft offers a lot of very interesting scenarios for Cardinals fans – there’s a lot of players that would seem to be good fits in that number 8 spot, and unlike last year, they don’t really control their draft destiny.
With that in mind, it is time to run another mock draft simulation to play out a particular scenario. In last week’s simulation, the goal was to see how things played out by taking a wide receiver with their first pick.
This time, I was going to go off the map and see what the top rated defensive player would fall. Either I would go with Isaiah Simmons or Jeff Okudah if they were available, or potentially with Derrick Brown if they both were gone.
The pick ends up being the versatile Simmons, who has been compared to ex-Cardinal Tyrann Mathieu for his ability to play multiple positions as well as Bobby Wagner for his height, weight, speed profile:
See how this mock draft looks. These are the results.
Round 1: Clemson LB/S Isaiah Simmons
Say what you want about whether Simmons excelled at any one position or whether there is some fear of a repeat of Haason Reddick. Simmons dominated wherever he played in college.
He also had a phenomenal combine where he ran 4.39 on his first 40 attempt:
Yes, there is reason to wonder whether Vance Joseph can use him at his best, but there is no denying that the NFL is trending towards using players like Simmons. He can also immediately step in and help in any area where the Cardinals really struggled on defense — covering tight ends.
Round 2: Baylor WR Denzel Mims
Mims has probably helped himself this draft season more than anyone else, starting at the Senior Bowl, and continuing that success at the Combine:
One could argue that his ceiling is just as high as CeeDee Lamb in round 1 – the biggest difference is that he does not have the same elusiveness as Lamb. What he does provide is what Kliff Kingsbury mentioned in a big outside receiver who can take the top off the defense.
Round 3: LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Many fans, and rightly so, want CEH to be in a Cardinals uniform should they move on from Kenyan Drake (which given his desires to be one of the top paid RBs in the league, looks likely).
Edwards-Helaire should be able to step right in with his ability in LSU’s spread scheme (which is similar to what Arizona wants to run) and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, as well as a willing pass blocker.
Round 4: Missouri Defensive Tackle Jordan Elliott
Elliott is deemed by many to be a boom or bust pick. However, he may be on the Cardinals radar for one big reason – he’s the third highest rated defensive interior player on PFF’s rankings as of right now. The first and second are Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw.
Elliott graded out very highly on PFF’s system, and like Zack Allen, could be someone Arizona takes a look at on Day 2 and certainly on Day 3 if he makes it this far.
Round 6: Iowa S Geno Stone
Stone is very much under the radar, and again is a PFF “darling” and could add some depth to the Cardinals secondary if they can’t address it in free agency or if Stone can add to his resume by playing well on Special Teams, Arizona could take a look at the former Hawkeye on Day 3.
Round 7: North Carolina OT Charlie Heck
Heck has the athletic traits that would intrigue Keim/Kingsbury on Day 3 late:
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 260
Ep. 259
