We are near the end of the mock drafts and this latest from Dane Brugler of The Athletic has the Arizona Cardinals doing the unthinkable. While most would say the Cardinals are certain to focus on two positions — offensive tackle and receiver — Brugler’s seven-round mock draft has them taking neither position at any point in the draft. ‘
Here is this mock draft plays out.
Round 1: Auburn DL Derrick Brown
This definitely would not be the first time Brown is projected to go to the Cardinals. He fills a need and some believe he is one of the best players in the draft. He very possibly is a starter on the defensive line with Corey Peters and Jordan Phillips to open the season. In this mock draft, the only offensive lineman not available is Tristan Wirfs. Will the Cardinals pass on three of the other tackles and all the receivers?
Round 3: Florida State RB Cam Akers
Akers would be a fine choice in the third round. This could be the sweet spot for a running back. While Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has said there have been conversations with Kenyan Drake about a contract extension, picking up a player who has the talent to be able to replace him in a year is a good plan for the position, and Akers is talented.
There are no notable receivers or tackles to be selected soon after this pick, but the Cardinals do pass on linebacker Willie Gay and cornerback Amik Robertson, who is someone they are interested in.
Round 4: Washington TE Hunter Bryant
With the first of two fourth-round selections, Bryant is the pick. Tight is not a big need but a fourth-round pick is not a premium pick. He would fit with the Cardinals offense. Now, in this mock draft, they are passing on receivers Devin Duvernay and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Duvernay is an intriguing player because of his elite speed, his familial ties to Kyler Murray (they are cousins) and the fact he shares an agent with Murray and Kliff Kingsbury.
I think Duvernay is a player to keep an eye on. Peoples-Jones has the size and speed to play outside at 6-2, 212 pounds and a 4.48-second 40. Linebackers Troy Dye and Davion Taylor both go soon after the Cardinals’ selection.
Round 4: Iowa CB Michael Ojemudia
With the Cardinals’ extra fourth-round pick, they land a cornerback in this mock draft. He has good physical tools and athleticism and needs development but appears to be a fit in the Cardinals’ defensive scheme.
They would be passing on Kentucky WR Lynn Bowden and Texas WR Collins Johnson.
Round 6: N.C. State EDGE James Smith-Williams
Smith-Williams has durability concerns but he transformed himself physically to have the ideal build to play off the edge. He has good testing numbers and solid production when he was not hurt. He is worth using a sixth-round pick on.
Round 7: Penn State LB Cam Brown
Brown is very long at 6-5, 233 pounds. He can move, too, but doesn’t have elite speed. They pass on a tackle Kliff Kingsbury knows well. Terrence Steele played at Texas Tech. He goes later in the seventh round.
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