Mock draft season is all about scenarios. What would happen in particular situations? The Arizona Cardinals have the eighth pick in the draft this year and are in position to potentially select an impact defender, offensive lineman or receiver.
Are there scenarios where the Cardinals trade back?
In CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso’s latest mock draft, it appears the Cardinals were hoping to land Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs.
However, he is selected seventh overall. The Cleveland Browns are desperate to land an offensive lineman and might covet huge Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton.
In this scenario, they move up two spots to No. 8 and give the Cardinals a fourth-round pick to move back to No. 10 overall.
Becton might not be as good a fit for the Cardinals, but he is a perfect fit for the Browns’ scheme, according to Trapasso.
Given Becton’s insane athleticism at his size at the left tackle spot, he’s a perfect fit in Kevin Stefanski’s zone-blocking run scheme, and the Browns can’t afford for him to go one pick ahead of them to the Jaguars.
The Jags take Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas and then the Cardinals select Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy.
Given this scenario, it could happen. However, with every receiver available, it seems more likely that the Cardinals would take quarterback Kyler Murray’s old teammate, Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb.
If the Cardinals get an impact receiver and also pick up an extra mid-round pick, that is a win, especially if they aren’t as sold on the other tackles as Wirfs, who was no longer available.
Landing Jeudy could be just as impactful, but when Murray is publicly pushing for the Cardinals to draft Lamb and he is available, it would feel like a bit of a disappointment.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
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