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USA Today Sports Media Group
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Jess Root

Cardinals trade back twice in 2nd round in new mock draft simulation

It is another mock draft Saturday and we have a new seven-round simulation for the Arizona Cardinals, playing out different scenarios. In this mock draft, the Cardinals make a pair of trades but not in the first round. They both happen in the second round.

They pick up an extra two picks in this draft and three in future drafts.

We go over the picks and moves below.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Round 1: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson

 Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

While some want to see the Cardinals trade, how can you pass up this guy?

He is the best pass rusher in the draft and he immediately makes the Cardinals’ defense better.

Round 2 trade!

Cardinals trade pick No. 34 to Panthers

Cardinals receive pick No. 39, pick No. 114 (fourth round), 2024 fourth-rounder

The prospects in this range are not my favorite. I could go cornerback but it feels like a reach.

Second-round trade No. 2

Cardinals trade pick No. 39 to the Detroit Lions

Cardinals receive pick No. 48, pick No. 152 (fifth round), 2024 fourth-rounder, 2024 fifth-rounder

I have my eye on offensive linemen and want to get the right value. So now I have two extra picks on Day 3.

Round 2: TCU OL Steve Avila

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Avila is a stud. He played center and guard for the Horned Frogs but was absolutely lights out at guard last year. He did not allow a sack all season.

He probably could start at left guard as a rookie.

Round 3: Ohio State C Luke Wypler

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

There is a report that the Cardinals love Wypler. Getting him in the third round is great value.

With Anderson, Avila and Wypler, this draft has potentially three starters in the first three picks.

Round 3: TCU Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

He is only 5-foot-8 but is fierce in his play and he is athletic. He is a cornerback version of Budda Baker. Jonathan Gannon will love him.

Round 4: Purdue CB Cory Trice

We double up at cornerback with Trice, but he has great length at 6-foot-3.

He has enough speed (4.47-second 40), has long arms and some strength.

He has also played safety.

Round 4: TCU RB Kendre Miller

Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic

This gives the Cardinals three players out of TCU. Miller is a dynamic every-down back. The Cardinals have met with him. He had 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt.

Round 5: Ohio State S Ronnie Hickman

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hickman is 6 feet tall and weighs 203 pounds.

In 2021, he had 99 tackles, a sack and two interceptions.

Last season, he had 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one pick and seven pass breakups.

Round 5: Louisville CB Kei'Trel Clark

Louisville’s Kei’Trel Clark

Clark has a top-30 visit scheduled with the Cardinals. This gives Arizona three cornerbacks and a safety in this draft class.

Round 6: Western Kentucky DL Brodric Martin

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

In the sixth round, the Cardinals add a big body.

He is 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds. He ran the 40 in 5.20 seconds and has long arms. PFF describes him as a poor man’s Jordan Davis.

Round 6: UCLA WR Jake Bobo

Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Bobo is 6-foot-4. He had 57 catches for 817 yards and seven touchdowns for the Bruins in 2022.

He is not fast (4.99-second 40) but does have good quickness for his size (7.09-second three-cone).

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