As new 2022 NFL Mock Draft simulations roll out, the Arizona Cardinals are one of the teams under the most pressure. You’d think there’d be some security for Kliff Kingsbury, who improved from 8-8 to 11-6 in 2021. But still, there’s a sense that the Cardinals are underachieving under Kingsbury. And in a division with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, Arizona can’t afford to waste any time or resources. Here’s what their 2022 NFL Draft haul might look like.
Arizona Cardinals 2022 7-Round Mock Draft
The Cardinals — barring any trades — are set to carry eight total selections in the 2022 NFL Draft. Five of those selections are in the final two rounds (two in Round 6, three in Round 7). Aside from that, the Cardinals have one pick each in Rounds 1 through 3. There’s a massive gap between pick No. 87 and pick No. 200. Thus, Arizona could be eager to deal for more picks, filling that void.
We used the free PFN Mock Draft Simulator to conduct this Arizona Cardinals 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The MDS uses the official NFL Draft order and is updated in real time as trades occur across the NFL.
Round 1, Pick 23: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Mix in the concerns surrounding his injury history and his perceived effort issues over the past couple of seasons, and LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. could fall into the latter portion of Round 1. The Cardinals would be wise to swipe him up if he’s available at 23rd overall. Stingley does bring some uncertainty, but there’s no denying his talent. He’s a twitchy, explosive, and fluid defensive back with rare instincts at the catch point.
Round 2, Pick 55: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Chandler Jones is a tough loss to rebound from. If he leaves in free agency, however, the Cardinals can’t walk away unprepared. They have to have a succession plan in mind. In this Arizona Cardinals 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Drake Jackson serves as a solid option. At around 6’3″, 254 pounds, with 34-inch arms, Jackson is long and explosive. He can still further refine his hand usage, but he has all the tools to be a dynamic pass-rushing threat.
Round 3, Pick 87: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
Calvin Austin III isn’t a one-to-one replacement for Christian Kirk, but it’s not an entirely fair comparison. Austin’s size works against him in a way that Kirk’s does not. But beyond his size, there are few holes to poke in Austin’s game. While smaller than Kirk, Austin provides just as much if not more explosive potential. He’s a habitual separator with rare explosiveness, twitch, and deep speed, and he’d undoubtedly provide similar value as an offensive catalyst.
Round 6, Pick 200: Logan Bruss, OT, Wisconsin
The Arizona Cardinals have a huge gap between their third and fourth picks in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Thus, it’s imperative that those first three picks aren’t wasted. That said, teams can still find value later on. Logan Bruss is one example. He doesn’t have great lateral agility, but he features powerful hands and a strong base, and he tested better than expected at the Combine. He’s a natural right tackle, which fits the Cardinals’ needs, but he could also project well inside.
Round 6, Pick 216: Tayland Humphrey, DT, Louisiana
The Cardinals have a lot of needs for a team that just made the playoffs. But one of the more underrated needs is nose tackle. Corey Peters, while an able player, is getting older and hasn’t yet been re-signed. There are only a select few nose tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft, but one could be acquired later on. Tayland Humphrey is such a candidate in Round 6 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft for the Arizona Cardinals. Humphrey consistently ate double-teams for the Ragin’ Cajuns, and he could do the same for Kingsbury’s squad.
Round 7, Pick 242: Isaih Pacheco, RB, Rutgers
The Cardinals re-signed James Conner, but they lost fellow RB Chase Edmonds to the Miami Dolphins. Even with Conner in tow, the Cardinals may want to address running back later in the draft. Isaih Pacheco is a potential steal at this point. The 5’10”, 216-pound runner tested well at the NFL Combine, and he flashes vision and instincts on tape.
Round 7, Pick 257: David Anenih, EDGE, Houston
In a passing-oriented NFL, the importance of pass rush can’t be overstated. The Cardinals already have talent at 3-technique, but it wouldn’t hurt to double-dip on the edge in the 2022 NFL Draft. Late on Day 3, Houston’s David Anenih could be a nice value deal. Anenih is just 6’2″, 251 pounds, but he has massive 34 3/8″ arms. His combination of proportional length and leverage is dangerous, and on top of that, he sports a wicked first step off the line.
Round 7, Pick 259: Andrew Ogletree, TE, Youngstown State
The Cardinals retained Zach Ertz on a three-year pact, but he’s an aging veteran, and there isn’t a ton of depth behind him. Favoring athleticism at the tight end position, the Cardinals could look at a guy like Youngstown State’s Andrew Ogletree late in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ogletree has a great deal of upside. He flashed at the Hula Bowl and tested extremely well at his pro day — logging a 4.76 40-yard dash, a 35-inch vertical, a 121-inch broad jump, and 26 bench reps at 6’5″, 260 pounds.