With all the compensatory picks awarded and NFL teams now know exactly what picks they have in the 2020 NFL Draft. Draft Wire managing editor Luke Easterling put together a full seven-round mock draft including compensatory picks.
Let’s take a look at the picks for the Arizona Cardinals.
Round 1: Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb
Lamb is a common and popular pick for the Cardinals. He makes sense on many levels. They need a true No. 1 receiver and he has the potential to be a big playmaker. He has a relationship with Kyler Murray and he already is familiar with the Arizona offense. The question is whether they would take him or an offensive lineman. Mekhi Becton is already off the board, so this would mean taking Lamb over other athletic tackles like Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills or Andrew Thomas.
Round 2: Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland
Cleveland would be a great pick here. He really impressed at the combine with his athleticism and the Cardinals have interest in him. He could end up going higher than this in the draft, though.
Other potential picks Trevon Diggs or Ross Blacklock already were selected in the picks before Arizona. They also could have taken Oklahoma DT Neville Gallimore or Alabama DL Raekwon Davis.
Round 3: Utah CB Jaylon Johnson
Johnson has length and adequate speed and movement skills. In the last two seasons for Utah, he picked off six passes, broke up 15 and returned two picks for touchdowns. He sets up the Cardinals well at cornerback beyond 2020.
However, depending on how free agency plays out and what happens with Kenyan Drake, with Florida State RB Cam Akers on the board, he would also make a good pick here.
Round 4: Notre Dame EDGE Khalid Kareem
Taking an edge rusher here is interesting, though Kareem had steadily improved production in three seasons with Notre Dame. In 2019, he had 5.5 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He has strength but lacks athleticism. He will probably be solid in the run game at setting the edge.
Other players still on the board were LSU LB Jacob Phillips, Missouri DT Jordan Elliott or LSU TE Thaddeus Moss. Elliott would be my choice here.
Round 6: Maryland RB Anthony McFarland
The Cardinals land McFarland, who played for Maryland but chose to go to school there instead or Alabama or Miami to stay close to home. He ran the 40 in 4.44 seconds at the combine, showing good burst. If the Cardinals pass on Akers in the third round, McFarland makes a nice Day 3 pick.
Round 7: Clemson OL Sean Pollard
Pollard is an interior lineman. He can play both guard and center.
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