With the 2015 season over it's time for Mock Draft season. With that said here is my Cardinals pre-combine mock:
1) Eli Apple - CB - OSU
1) Eli Apple - CB - OSU
Normally drafting a player from OSU goes against every fiber in my body. However I'll make an exception for Apple. Yes he is young but he plays physical and has the length that the Cardinals love. Would compete right away with Bethel for the #2 CB position opposite of Peterson.
2) Deion Jones - OLB - LSU
Slightly undersized OLB but the Cardinals have shown that won't scare them away from this pass rusher. Very instinctive and intelligent player who is always in the right spot at the right time. Named a permanent team captain which fits the mold of the type of player Keim looks for.
3) Christian Hackenberg - QB - PSU
And here we go with a controversial pick. Many on the board will hate this pick. But the sirens song of this QB project will be too much for BA to pass up. Hackenberg has been in California the last couple of months working with Carson Palmer's brother Jordan. Jordan has been instructing Hackenberg while the Cardinals were making their playoff run. He prepared Hackenberg by treating him like Carson getting ready for each playoff game:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/25458307/how-a-palmer-the-cardinals-are-helping-prepare-hackenberg-for-the-nfl
4) Joe Schobert - OLB/ILB - Wisconsin http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/25458307/how-a-palmer-the-cardinals-are-helping-prepare-hackenberg-for-the-nfl
Non-stop motor in the KVB mold. This kid will leave it all on the field. Named the teams MVP. Can play outside or even slide inside. The Cardinals will love his versatility.
5) Evan Boehm - C - Missouri
Missouri has become a factory for NFL offensive linemen. Boehm is a fire hydrant with arms. The Cardinals need to improve this position and Boehm give them a viable candidate.
6) Avery Young - OT/OG - Auburn
Big body who can play outside at RT or more likely inside at guard. The Cardinals want versatility and Young fits that mold. I expect the Cardinals to lose a couple of OL this offseason and Young would be a developmental project to fill those holes.
7) Justin Simmons - FS - Boston Coll
Has the length that the Cardinals love. Can never have too many DBs and Simmons would continue to add depth to one of the strengths of the Cardinals.