We are officially two months away from the 2020 NFL Draft. Mock drafts come from all over the internet. Today we begin with what will probably be weekly simulations of the full draft for the Arizona Cardinals.
In this first simulation, the scenario I use is how things play out if the Cardinals go with a tackle in the first round. Likewise, it also presumes that the Cardinals are not able to re-sign running back Kenyan Drake.
With those in place, this is how things went in this full mock draft simulation.
Round 1: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
Again, the scenario I was going with was taking a tackle in Round 1. In this case, all linemen except for Louisville’s Mekhi Becton are available. The choice was between Wirfs and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. Wirfs is the pick. He could be the team’s Week 1 starter at right tackle. Now we will see if there are any impact receivers in Round 2.
Round 2: Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk
Locally, this will be a hit of a pick. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah loves the potential of Aiyuk. He has great speed. He can be impactful in the return game. He can go up and get the ball. If Aiyuk is the receiver they get in the draft along with a first-round tackle, this draft is taking shape nicely.
Round 3: Florida State RB Cam Akers
Akers is not considered a top-tier back like J.K. Dobbins, Clyde Edwards-Helaire or D’Andre Swift, but he was very productive, he runs very hard and he can catch the ball. If the Cardinals end up keeping David Johnson and can’t re-sign Kenyan Drake, Akers wouldn’t be a bad addition.
Round 4: Ohio State DL Davon Hamilton
Hamilton didn’t have the production at Ohio State he could have because of the great pass rush of Chase Young. He had six sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. He was impressive at the Senior Bowl. He would add talent to the defensive line.
Round 6: Nebraska CB Lamar Jackson
Some mock drafts have him going to the Cardinals with a Day 2 pick. He might not be explosive enough to be a higher pick but he has skills.
Round 7: Tulsa EDGE Trevis Gipson
You won’t expect much from a seventh-round pick, but Gipson had eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss last season, has good size and improved every season.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
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