The Cardinals have had a heck of an offseason and have made all the attractive splash plays that their fan base has been craving. They may not be setting themselves up for the long term due to cap and draft capital but they’re looking like a good team for the present. Kliff Kingsbury is on the hot seat this season, in fact, his seat may be the hottest in the league. So this years draft is going to be crucial for the future of the Cardinals. Let’s start by taking a look at their current starters.
Quarterback: Kyler Murray
Running Back: Chase Edmonds
Wide Receiver 1: DeAndre Hopkins
Wide Receiver 2: A.J. Green
Wide Receiver 3: Christian Kirk
Tight End: Maxx Williams
Left Tackle: D.J. Humphries
Left Guard: Justin Pugh
Center: Rodney Hudson
Right Guard: Justin Murray
Right Tackle: Kelvin Beachum
Left Defensive End: J.J. Watt
Nose Tackle: Rashard Lawrence
Right Defensive End: Zach Allen
Left Outside Linebacker: Chandler Jones
Left Inside Linebacker: Jordan Hicks
Right Inside Linebacker: Isaiah Simmons
Right Outside Linebacker: Devon Kennard
Left Cornerback: Malcolm Butler
Right Cornerback: Robert Alford
Slot Cornerback: Byron Murphy
Strong Safety: Budda Baker
Free Safety: Jalen Thompson
The biggest holes they need to fill are at cornerback, free safety, and tight end. In addition, guard, wide receiver, running back, right defensive end, and right outside linebacker could use an upgrade. However, the Cards only pick twice in the first four rounds so they have two picks to nab a starter.
Round 1, Pick 16 OLB Azeez Ojulari
Due to the injury of Caleb Farley and the rise of Jaycee Horn, no cornerbacks were available in this mock so they opt to add to an already ferocious pass rush. Insert a guy like Ojulari alongside J.J. Watt, Chandler Jones, and Markus Golden and you might just have the best edge rush package in the league, with several great mentors for Ojulari. This is a pick that would benefit both their present and future.
Round 2, Pick 49 CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
The Cardinals must address the cornerback position and they do so here with Melifonwu. Ifeatu is an incredible athlete and he has great length for the cornerback position at 6’3″. He can come in and cover the other team’s “X” receivers and Malcolm Butler can stick the the “Z” receiver. Melifonwu projects nicely into the Cardinals scheme.
Round 5, Pick 160 FS Caden Sterns
The Cardinals have a lot of holes to fill with few picks, so they need to start taking some big swings; that’s what they do here. Caden Sterns was a projected first round pick two years ago before injuries tanked his stock. If the Cardinals can manage to bring him back to form, they will be getting a rangy centerfielder to clean up behind Budda Baker.
Round 6, Pick 223 WR Cade Johnson
Johnson is a high ceiling low floor player who is a great fit in the desert. He is a complete receiver but also is coming from South Dakota State University so will need to develop to the NFL talent level.
Round 7, Pick 243 CB/LB Avery Williams
Williams has no future as a starter so the Cardinals opt to take Williams to be a special teams ace.
Round 7, Pick 247 DE Micheal Clemons
Clemons is a high upside player out of the SEC. He can develop under J.J. Watt and potentially unlock starter potential.
So now that the draft is over let’s take a look at the starting lineup.
Quarterback: Kyler Murray
Running Back: Chase Edmonds
Wide Receiver 1: DeAndre Hopkins
Wide Receiver 2: A.J. Green
Wide Receiver 3: Christian Kirk
Tight End: Maxx Williams
Left Tackle: D.J. Humphries
Left Guard: Justin Pugh
Center: Rodney Hudson
Right Guard: Justin Murray
Right Tackle: Kelvin Beachum
Left Defensive End: J.J. Watt
Nose Tackle: Rashard Lawrence
Right Defensive End: Zach Allen
Left Outside Linebacker: Chandler Jones
Left Inside Linebacker: Jordan Hicks
Right Inside Linebacker: Isaiah Simmons
Right Outside Linebacker: Azeez Ojulari
Left Cornerback: Malcolm Butler
Right Cornerback: Ifeatu Melifonwu
Slot Cornerback: Byron Murphy
Strong Safety: Budda Baker
Free Safety: Jalen Thompson
That’s a pretty complete lineup even though they were only able to grab two starters in the draft. This team will win more games than most think but it is yet to be determined to see if Kliff Kingsbury can get it together and take them to the promised land.