If you pay attention to most mock drafts this time of year, they almost all focus on two positions for the Arizona Cardinals. They either have the Cardinals going with an offensive lineman or a receiver in the first round.
However, a new three-round mock draft from NFL.com’s Chad Reuters, the Cardinals do not address either position in the first two rounds and don’t address receiver at all in the first three rounds.
The first two picks are defensive players.
Round 1: South Carolina DL Javon Kinlaw
From Reuters:
Extending D.J. Humphries allows the team to focus on its offensive line later in the draft. The Cards can now pick the top defender on the board to play the 5-technique.
All the receivers are still on the board. Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons is still on the board. All but one offensive lineman is on the board.
Kinlaw was the star of the Senior Bowl and fills a huge need defensively. Could he do for the Cardinals what Aaron Donald has done for the Rams?
Round 2: Utah EDGE Bradlee Anae
Anae was the best pass rusher in the Pac-12 last season. He is tough and relentless. He dominated the Senior Bowl.
He won’t have eye-popping measurables at the combine, but the tape is good.
I see him as a Markus Golden-type player. He is an upgrade over everyone the Cardinals had opposite Chandler Jones over the last half of last season.
But Cardinals fans might get a little nervous if they don’t take a receiver or a tackle in the first two rounds.
Round 3: UConn OT Matthew Peart
If the Cardinals address right tackle in free agency, waiting until the third round makes sense. It allows them to take a player with some upside and take advantage of the coaching of Sean Kugler.
Peart is that type of player with length and athleticism.
However, it would be a surprise if the Cardinals see the first three rounds of the draft play out like this.
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