The trends in mock drafts have shifted a lot for the Arizona Cardinals. First, they were all over the wide receivers. Then, following the DeAndre Hopkins trade, they all shifted to the offensive line. Now it looks like defensive players are the trend.
In the latest mock draft from SI.com’s Albert Breer, he has the Cardinals taking Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, calling on a trend of picks by general manager Steve Keim.
I talked to a GM Monday night who was strident that he believed the Cardinals love Simmons. And it makes sense, because GM Steve Keim certainly has a “type” of versatile defensive player he looks for (e.g. Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson, Budda Baker, Haason Reddick, Deone Bucannon). Simmons is all of that.
While Keim loves versatility, not all those players have worked out. Mathieu’s injuries led to his release. Bucannon had one great year and then wasn’t particularly impactful. Reddick has been nothing short of a disappointment.
Simmons is the sort of player with elite athleticism that Keim probably cannot pass up. The real question is whether he will be on the board still when the Cardinals make their pick.
If he is, it likely is a no-brainer.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep.265
Ep. 264
