The way the Arizona Cardinals have their roster currently constructed, whoever the player is they select with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft will have to work to find a spot in the starting lineup.
However, one position probably has an easier path — a defensive lineman.
NFL Network’s Charley Casserly’s newest mock draft has the Cardinals taking a defensive lineman, but not the one you might think.
While some believe the Cardinals could take Auburn’s Derrick Brown, Brown goes seventh overall to the Carolina Panthers.
Instead, the Cardinals go with South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw.
The need for a stud defensive lineman overrides the O-line issue, partially because Kyler Murray allows Arizona’s offense to function without top-tier protection.
While Casserly is right about how the offense is designed, Kinlaw would be a curious pick because Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons is still on the board.
Kinlaw does offer much more pass-rushing upside than Brown but there are some injury concerns. And since teams can’t do medical checks right now, it might push Kinlaw down some boards.
Simmons goes ninth. The only offensive lineman off the board is Mekhi Becton, selected fourth in this mock draft. The Cardinals had all receivers available.
In terms of names of players often connected to the Cardinals, tackle Andrew Thomas goes 10th, tackle Jedrick Wills goes 11th, receiver Jerry Jeudy goes 12th, receiver CeeDee Lamb goes 13th to the rival San Francisco 49ers and tackle Tristan Wirfs goes 14th.
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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