[Editor’s Note: Version 1.0 below was originally published on February 4]
The Cardinals are coming off of a tumultuous, yet bright season for the franchise. Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray looks like a future franchise quarterback, and other young talents like Budda Baker are still up-and-coming. With an eye towards the future, the Cardinals are going to look to strengthen both sides of the ball to help Murray and create a formidable defense for Kliff Kingsbury’s team. The Cardinals are somewhat hard to predict just because they could go so many directions, a testament to a rather weak roster. Anyhow, let’s dive in and take a look at what might come in April in this Cardinals 7-round mock draft.
Want to be your favorite team’s general manager? Be sure to check out FanSpeak’s On the Clock Draft Simulator. Post your mock draft on Twitter and tag us @PFN365.
Team Needs
This is an extensive list of needs that ranges across the field to pretty much every position but quarterback. The Cardinals will not be looking for another signal-caller this year, but they will be looking to help their young quarterback out.
The emergence of Kenyan Drake was a pleasant surprise, and running back has fallen down the list to a point. They spent three picks on the wide receiver position last year, but with an aging Larry Fitzgerald and no clear guy for the future outside of Christian Kirk, they could use a wide receiver. Similarly, they could opt to go for more size and get a field-stretching tight end to help out Murray. However, Murray is going to be begging for some offensive line help. The offensive line came on nicely at the end of the season, but they can still use more help at tackle and on the interior of the offensive line.
On the defensive side of the ball, an aging Patrick Peterson presents the Cardinals with an opportunity to perhaps grab a cornerback. Byron Murphy had an up and down rookie year but starting to figure things out as the season went on. The other significant needs have to be along the defensive line and at linebacker. Chandler Jones is elite, but they got minimal production from their interior defensive line. That could be addressed in the first three rounds. And as for linebacker, Hasaan Reddick has not been what they thought he would be, and they need a leader. They could serve to add another edge rusher as well. Safety is less of a need due to the flashes of two young safeties in Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker.
Round 1, Pick 8: Isaiah Simmons, ILB Clemson
So, let us talk about this one. A lot of analysts will mock either a wide receiver or offensive tackle here to the Cardinals. I even mocked them Oklahoma WR Ceedee Lamb in my latest mock draft. But if there is one thing the Cardinals can use just as much as those two things, it is a leader on the defensive side of the ball. And that is what they get here in Isaiah Simmons.
The term ‘unicorn’ has been used by many to describe precisely what type of player Simmons is, and that would be apt. He plays multiple positions, from inside linebacker, free safety, slot corner, and even a little bit of edge rusher at times too. There is nothing that Simmons has not done, and he is about as diverse of a player as you can get on the defensive side of the football.
What Simmons could do for the Cardinals is close up the middle field against some tight ends that are in the division in Tyler Higbee, Will Dissly, and to the best of his abilities, George Kittle. In a division with a heavy outside zone team in the 49ers and two other physical, play action-based teams, Simmons’s high football IQ and athleticism are going to be game-changers.
So, are there significant other options? Absolutely. But adding a talent like Simmons to a defense that needs that leader would be a very welcome addition.
Also considered: Oklahoma WR Ceedee Lamb, Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy, Georiga OT Andrew Thomas, and Iowa OT Tristian Wirfs
Round 2, Pick 40: Austin Jackson, OT USC
The Cardinals will need to address the offensive line early, no matter what you think of the situation. This offensive tackle class is strong, but there will stark drop off after the first eight or nine guys, so the Cardinals jump on their guy here in the second round in USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson.
Jackson possesses some good tools with solid functional athleticism and mobility, but his hand usage and discipline issues are going to get him docked by a few teams, and it will get him to pick 40 as a result. Jackson’s strong punches and footwork will make him a worthwhile investment for a Cardinals team that needs a boost at the tackle position, especially with the uncertainty of D.J. Humphries’s future in the desert.
Jackson offers that solution and should be a piece that will stay in Arizona for the long-haul as a starting tackle for Murray and company.
Also Considered: TCU OT Lucas Niang, Auburn OT Prince Tega Wanogho, TCU IDL Ross Blacklock
Round 3, Pick 72: Denzel Mims, WR Baylor
Now, there is a need for the Cardinals to get another pass catcher in the first two days. The question marks surrounding the corps as a whole bring that into focus. Andy Isabella is a guy who should be part of this team’s future receiving corps, but he has not proven anything yet. Hakeem Butler missed the entire season with an injury and is a massive question mark. And KeeSean Johnson is a solid player, but he is not going to be ‘the guy.’ There is always the looming cloud that Fitzgerald will hang up the cleats, and that leaves only Kirk as the only sure-fire piece here.
Thus, we go to a Senior Bowl standout in Denzel Mims to be one of those future pieces for Murray. Mims had a fantastic week in Mobile, and that skyrocketed his draft stock, but even more critical is that Mims has the deep threat speed and the height and physicality to go up and win above the rim that makes him so alluring for a team like the Cardinals. He is a lock and key fit for Murray and the Kingsbury air raid system with his skillset.
Thus, with him being such a good fit and likely the best receiver on the board at the time, this is a slam dunk pick.
Also Considered: LSU TE Thaddeus Moss, Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tennessee EDGE Darrell Taylor
Round 4, Pick 104: Bravvion Roy, IDL Baylor
Two Baylor Bears back to back for the Cardinals here. The duo of James Lynch and Bravvion Roy was one that gave Big-12 teams fits all season, but it is Roy who ends up going to Arizona here.
Roy is a significant presence on the interior that has some extreme juice in his first step, and it allows him to make some highlight plays where he runs right through guys. His speed-to-power conversion one of his more impressive traits, and he has great natural strength and power. Roy’s hand usage and field awareness also allow him to be an excellent run defender in the middle of any defense.
That natural anchor and pass rush ability are exactly what Arizona needs on the interior of their defensive line, and Roy satisfies that need quite well.
Also Considered: Memphis IOL Logan Stenberg, Georgia IOL Soloman Kindley, Baylor IDL James Lynch
Round 5, Pick 136: Keith Ishmael, IOL San Diego State
The Cardinals need as much help and depth as they can get along the offensive line. That is both at tackle and on the interior of their offensive line. San Diego State offensive lineman Keith Ishmael is a polished player that gives them some immediate help in-depth and a guy who can start in the future.
Ishmael is a sleeper of sorts, but he did have a rather good showing in Mobile in the team and one-on-one drills. His anchor and play strength are by far his two best traits, just jumping out at you right away. Ishmael is a guy who can throw guys around if everything comes together for him. He is not the most agile athlete in space, but he is not stiff and moves plenty well to climb to the second level and get those blocks.
His hand usage is stable, but his pad level does swell at times. That will be something that he needs to get down, but Ishmael is a guy that brings a lot to the table for a team that will require a guy just like him in the Cardinals.
Also Considered: Texas IOL Zach Shackleford, Oregon IOL Jake Hanson
Round 6, Pick 184: Stephen Sullivan, TE LSU
Stephen Sullivan is the exact type of tight end that can function effectively in Kliff Kingsbury’s system. He lacks the inline ability of many tight ends, but he has a Darren Waller-esque ceiling if he can chisel out his entire game.
Sullivan is a converted wide receiver who will function similar to that at first in the league. With great athleticism and contested catchability, Sullivan has proven to be a solid contributor for the Tigers even when overtaken by Thaddeus Moss. He can stretch the field and find open spots in zone coverages. And most importantly, Sullivan has strong hands.
His route running is coming along still, and he needs to run them more sharply and on-time, but the upside he brings in the air raid is a very intriguing fit for the Cardinals to take a stab at here late in the draft.
Also Considered: Portland State TE Charlie Taumoepeau, Utah State EDGE Tipa Galea’i
Round 7, Pick 200: Elijah Riley, DB Army
Elijah Riley is the type of defensive back that gets his name called on pure upside alone late in the draft. Riley has proven to be a playmaker on the Army defense, as he has notched seven interceptions and 21 pass deflections over his years playing with the Black Knights.
Being a playmaker like that with the versatility to play in the slot, single-high, in the box, and even some outside cornerback is going to be alluring for a team like the Cardinals that could use him like another chess piece. His ability to blitz is another thing that he has been known for, and he notched four sacks this past season.
Lastly, he is an incredibly consistent tackler in space, and in any defensive back, that is valuable. But he will come and help in run fills and make the tackle at the line of scrimmage. Riley, thus, fits exactly what the Cardinals could look for late in the draft.
Also Considered: Georgia Southern CB Kindle Vildor, Illinois EDGE Oluwole Betiku