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It is time for another seven-round mock draft simulation for the Arizona Cardinals as we close out the month of March. Using Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator, the plan for this simulation was, for the first round, target an offensive lineman who could play even as a rookie, whether that was a tackle or guard. After that, it was about fitting value, position and need.
So in this mock draft, the Cardinal trade back twice in the first round.
When the 16th pick comes up and running back Ashton Jeanty is on the board, the Denver Broncos want him and trade up from the 20th pick. The Cardinals get pick no. 20, pick No. 85 (Round 3) and a 2026 fourth-round pick for No. 16.
When the 20th pick comes up, tackle Josh Simmons is available, but the Baltimore Ravens want to move up from No. 27 to get Texas CB Jahdae Barron. They sent the 27th picks and 59th pick (Round 2) for the 20th pick.
That led to the Cardinals picking 27th overall.
The target was ideally Josh Simmons, but he was taken 23rd overall. But 27th is low enough to go with a guard. Booker isn't overly athletic, but he is so good, and his football character and work ethic are off the charts. Daniel Jeremiah once said that the way Will Anderson was viewed by then-Alabama head coach Nick Saban is also how coaches speak of Booker. He can be the Cardinals' starting right guard immediately and for years.
Grant would have been better at No. 47 but he was on top of the big board with seven picks to go, so the Cardinals traded No. 47 and No. 85, the third-round pick they got from Denver, to the Detroit Lions for No. 40.
Grant has been projected to the Cardinals many times in the first round, but a second-round pick is even better. At 6-3 and 331 pounds, he will immediately make the run defense better. His pass rushing is considered to be developing, so the uncertainty of having production in terms of pressure makes him a better second-round pick. If he is only a great run stopper, you don't feel bad.
Swinson is 6-5 and 255 pounds. He had 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season.
Another cornerback in the first three rounds? Yes. And he is so athletic. He is 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds and ran the 40 in 4.30 seconds. He had three interceptions last season, the only three picks of his career.
He is 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds with a long 80-inch wingspan with athleticism. He is coming back from a foot injury, but getting an athletic linebacker who is a strong tackler on Day 3 is solid.
This comes after another trade. The Los Angeles Chargers wanted receiver Jaylin Lane and sent the Cardinals No. 158 and No. 199 (Round 6) for No. 152.
The Cardinals get an Ohio State offensive lineman, something that we all expect at some point in the draft with new O-line coach Justin Frye, who was at Ohio State. McLaughlin prepares the Cardinals for when they are ready to move on from Hjalte Froholdt, who is under contract two more seasons. He was the nation's top center, winning the Rimington Trophy, although he tore his Achilles after 10 games. He will probably spend the first full season recovering from that.
Conyers spent three seasons at Arizona State before going to Texas Tech. He is big (6-foot-4 and 260 pounds), a solid athlete, is a better blocker than he is credited for and can make plays. He will be able to beat out Travis Vokolek for the fourth tight end on the roster.
Batty is huge (6-5, 271) but can move and is strong. He wasn't a big-time producer in terms of sacks but is active, he can disrupt offenses and can do a little bit of everything. He picked off two passes last season and had 5.5 sacks in 2023. He will at least be a solid special teams guy like Victor Dimukeje was.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals make 4 trades in 7-round projections
Continue reading...
So in this mock draft, the Cardinal trade back twice in the first round.
When the 16th pick comes up and running back Ashton Jeanty is on the board, the Denver Broncos want him and trade up from the 20th pick. The Cardinals get pick no. 20, pick No. 85 (Round 3) and a 2026 fourth-round pick for No. 16.
When the 20th pick comes up, tackle Josh Simmons is available, but the Baltimore Ravens want to move up from No. 27 to get Texas CB Jahdae Barron. They sent the 27th picks and 59th pick (Round 2) for the 20th pick.
That led to the Cardinals picking 27th overall.
Round 1 (No. 27 overall): Alabama G Tyler Booker
The target was ideally Josh Simmons, but he was taken 23rd overall. But 27th is low enough to go with a guard. Booker isn't overly athletic, but he is so good, and his football character and work ethic are off the charts. Daniel Jeremiah once said that the way Will Anderson was viewed by then-Alabama head coach Nick Saban is also how coaches speak of Booker. He can be the Cardinals' starting right guard immediately and for years.
Round 2 (No. 40 overall) Michigan DT Kenneth Grant
Grant would have been better at No. 47 but he was on top of the big board with seven picks to go, so the Cardinals traded No. 47 and No. 85, the third-round pick they got from Denver, to the Detroit Lions for No. 40.
Grant has been projected to the Cardinals many times in the first round, but a second-round pick is even better. At 6-3 and 331 pounds, he will immediately make the run defense better. His pass rushing is considered to be developing, so the uncertainty of having production in terms of pressure makes him a better second-round pick. If he is only a great run stopper, you don't feel bad.
Round 2 (No. 59 overall) LSU EDGE Bradyn Swinson
Swinson is 6-5 and 255 pounds. He had 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season.
Round 3 (No. 78 overall): Iowa State CB Darien Porter
Another cornerback in the first three rounds? Yes. And he is so athletic. He is 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds and ran the 40 in 4.30 seconds. He had three interceptions last season, the only three picks of his career.
Round 4 (No. 115 overall): Georgia LB Smael Mondon
He is 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds with a long 80-inch wingspan with athleticism. He is coming back from a foot injury, but getting an athletic linebacker who is a strong tackler on Day 3 is solid.
Round 5 (No. 158 overall): Ohio State C Seth McLaughlin
This comes after another trade. The Los Angeles Chargers wanted receiver Jaylin Lane and sent the Cardinals No. 158 and No. 199 (Round 6) for No. 152.
The Cardinals get an Ohio State offensive lineman, something that we all expect at some point in the draft with new O-line coach Justin Frye, who was at Ohio State. McLaughlin prepares the Cardinals for when they are ready to move on from Hjalte Froholdt, who is under contract two more seasons. He was the nation's top center, winning the Rimington Trophy, although he tore his Achilles after 10 games. He will probably spend the first full season recovering from that.
Round 6 (No. 199 overall): Texas Tech TE Jalin Conyers
Conyers spent three seasons at Arizona State before going to Texas Tech. He is big (6-foot-4 and 260 pounds), a solid athlete, is a better blocker than he is credited for and can make plays. He will be able to beat out Travis Vokolek for the fourth tight end on the roster.
Round 7 (No. 225 overall): BYU EDGE Tyler Batty
Batty is huge (6-5, 271) but can move and is strong. He wasn't a big-time producer in terms of sacks but is active, he can disrupt offenses and can do a little bit of everything. He picked off two passes last season and had 5.5 sacks in 2023. He will at least be a solid special teams guy like Victor Dimukeje was.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals make 4 trades in 7-round projections
Continue reading...
