The first moves of free agency have been made. The Arizona Cardinals have added players and have seen several leave to find other teams. With those moves in the books, let’s see how the NFL draft could play out.
This simulation through FanSpeak’s On the Clock, has the New York Giants trade up to the No. 1 pick, giving the Cardinals the sixth, 17th and 37th picks in the draft. The Cardinals then make two trades to move up later on.
Here are the results:
Round 1, pick 6: Alabama DT Quinnen Williams
Williams somehow drops down to No. 6 and Arizona gets a steal because many believe he could be in play for the Cardinals with the first overall pick if they stay there. The defensive interior just got better.
Round 1, pick 17: Florida EDGE Jachai Polite
The Cardinals add pass rush help to develop in Polite. So instead of having to choose between the defensive interior and the edge, the Cardinals land both because of the trade.
Round 2, pick 1: Mississippi OT Greg Little
Little has some upside and will hopefully get to sit in 2019 while Marcus Gilbert plays out his contract. This pick gives the Cardinals continuity at the position.
Round 2, pick 5: Ohio State WR Parris Campbell
Campbell had 90 receptions for Ohio State last season for more than 1,000 yards and had 12 touchdown catches. He has speed and quickness. He will add explosiveness to the receiving corps.
Round 3, pick 1: Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen
Mullen was hardly targeted at Clemson. He has a good frame and solid speed. He will not have to start in 2019 with Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford in place. Perhaps he can be a third CB to play in nickel packages because Alford can play inside or out.
Round 3, pick 28: Stanford G Nate Herbig
The Cardinals want to land an interior offensive lineman and trade up from the first pick in the fourth round to the 28th pick in the third, giving up the final pick in the draft as well. They land Herbig, how is big and strong.
Round 5, pick 1: San Jose State TE Josh Oliver
Olver is 6-5, 250, and caught 56 passes for over 700 yards last season. He caught four touchdown passes and is an adequate blocker.
Rounds 6-7
Round 6, pick 1: Oklahoma DL Amani Bledsoe
Round 6, pick 6: USC S Marvell Tell III
The Cardinals trade their two remaining seventh-round picks to trade up to the 19th pick in the round.
Round 7, pick 19: Texas LB Gary Johnson
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
.png?w=600)
