The NFL combine has almost reached its conclusion and we know a little more about this year’s draft prospects. It would appear that there are a number of very good candidates for the Arizona Cardinals to select with the eighth overall pick in the draft.
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 tackle with their first pick.
This time, I wasn’t going to take a tackle. Either I would go with Isaiah Simmons or Jeff Okudah if they were available, or I would go with a receiver.
The pick ends up being a receiver and then taking a tackle doesn’t work out until the seventh round.
See how this mock draft looks. These are the results.
Round 1: Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb
If I had to guess, the Cardinals probably have Lamb and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy graded almost the same. Their measurements and athletic testing are very similar. Lamb gets the edge because of his connection to Kyler Murray. This pick would be no surprise at all.
Round 2: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
Drafting a running back assumes that the Cardinals do not re-sign Kenyan Drake. Taylor most likely won’t be available in the second round after his performance at the combine. He has the size. He showed elite speed and had big-time production in college. He would make a slam dunk pick for the Cardinals in the second round.
Round 3: Ohio State DL DaVon Hamilton
In the third round, it would have been nice to get a tackle but there wasn’t anyone worth drafting here and the defensive line is still an area of need. Hamilton is talented and likely is a better player than the numbers he put up at Ohio State because of the edge presence of Chase Young this year and Nick Bosa the previous year.
Round 4: Michigan State EDGE Kenny Willekes
The Cardinals have gotten production from pass rushers in the fourth round in the past in Sam Acho and Alex Okafor. Willekes increased his sack production every year. He had 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2019.He has the size and strength. He has some speed and a high motor. He would make a good player to have opposite Chandler Jones.
Round 6: UCF CB Nevelle Clark
After their fourth-round pick, the Cardinals don’t pick again until late in the sixth round. Clark has the prototypical build for a cornerback and picked off two passes each of the last two seasons and broke up another 24.
Round 7: Michigan OT Jon Runyan
Runyan is still around in the seventh round. He fits the mold the Cardinals like in a late-round tackle. He has length and athleticism. He could replace Joshua Miles like Miles replaced Korey Cunningham.
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Ep. 259
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