We have reached another weekend and it is time to see what players the Arizona Cardinals could get in the 2019 NFL draft. Running a FanSpeak On the Clock simulation, the Cardinals had trade offers for the first, second and third rounds. I only accepted the trade in the third with the Patriots, moving down from the first pick to the ninth pick and picking up the 33rd pick in the round, giving Arizona four picks in the first three rounds.
Here is how this simulation resulted:
Round 1, pick 1: Ohio State DE Nick Bosa
The trade offers were to move down to No. 6, 7, or 10. With the blue-chip talent at the top of the draft, I went with the pick of Bosa instead. He brings the ability to have immediate production, especially paired with Chandler Jones. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph wants two guys who can rush the passer and two who can cover so he can scheme the rest.
Round 2, pick 1: Washington State OT Andre Dillard
There was a trade opportunity but with Dillard there on the board, it was too much to pass up on. He has the skill set. He might not be a Week 1 starter but could be good enough to slide into the starting lineup later in the season. He improved his stock at the Senior Bowl.
Round 3, pick 9: Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson
Trading down from No. 1 to No. 9 meant picking up an extra third-round pick. Johnson is physical. At the Senior Bowl, he put himself on the radar with a powerful hit. He will not have to play early now that the Cardinals have Robert Alford, but he should find ways to contribute early on.
Round 3, pick 33: Texas Tech WR Antoine Wesley
The Cardinals most certainly will have their eye on Wesley, who was the star receiver at Texas Tech while Kliff Kingsbury, now the head coach for the Cardinals, was head coach for the Red Raiders. He has size, speed and ball skills.
Round 4, pick 1: Texas Tech LB Dakota Allen
Allen played for Kingsbury and has the traits you want for a guy drafted on Day 3. He has a high motor, plays hard through the whistle, is smart on the field and is a leader. He might not be starter material but should be an impact player on special teams and will be good in the locker room.
Round 5, pick 1: Notre Dame TE Alize Mack
The tight ends fall in this draft and several solid prospects are available in the fifth round. He has the ideal frame for an NFL tight end and has great ball skills up in the air. He will fit in well in Kingsbury’s offense.
Round 6, pick 1: California-Davis WR Keelan Doss
Small-school prospects are general manager Steve Keim’s thing. Doss has the size at 6-3, 209 and the over-the-top production to catch some eyes, much like Chase Edmonds had at running back at Fordham.
Doss had at least 115 receptions each of his final two seasons in college. The Cardinals need help at receiver and will get that with both Wesley and Doss.
Round 6, pick 6: Oklahoma G Dru Samia
He is a four-year starter. He is undersized but athletic. There are no flawless prospects in the sixth round.
Round 6, pick 33: Texas LB Gary Johnson
Round 7, pick 34: Boston College S Lukas Dennis
Round 7, pick 35: Kentucky CB Derrick Baity
The final three picks go on defense.
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