Up next on our mock draft series are the Arizona Cardinals. With the fourth overall pick, they will likely get another weapon for franchise quarterback Kyler Murray. But, who else will they add to the team? Let’s find out.
Picks
- Round 1, Pick 4: WR Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
- Round 1, Pick 27: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick 35: C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
- Round 3, Pick 66: DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan
- Round 3, Pick 71: CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
- Round 3, Pick 90: G Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
- Round 4, Pick 104: DL Michael Hall Jr, Ohio State
- Round 5, Pick 138: TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
- Round 5, Pick 162: QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
- Round 6, Pick 186: RB Kimani Vidal, Troy
- Round 7, Pick 226: WR Dominic Lovett, Georgia
Explanation of Picks
The fourth overall pick was not even a question mark. Kyler Murray clearly needs a WR1 who is a difference-maker. Enter Harrison Jr, who comes from Hall Of Fame bloodlines and is the most complete wideout in the class. Whether it’s his size (6’4″) or speed, the Arizona Cardinals will have their best receiver since DeAndre Hopkins.
With their other first-round pick, McKinstry comes in and is the immediate CB1 on a team with a lack of talent outside of Sean Murphy-Bunting. When targeted, quarterbacks have just a 73.1 rating versus the Alabama product. He’s smart, as shown by his ability to be an immediate starter as a freshman under Nick Saban. Whether it’s man or zone coverage, you ask him to do it and he will do so with ease. Not the most athletic at his position, but his smarts and smoothness make up for it all.
You’re not going to roll with Hijalte Froholdt at center again, so Frazier was the round two selection. The West Virginia product has a high IQ, excellent flexibility, and phenomenal body control. He’s a starting center from the jump.
The defense needed more help, so Jenkins and Jackson were the picks in round three. For the former, he’ll upgrade the DL position as he’s one of the strongest players in the draft and a great run-stopper. As for the latter, his size and athleticism are something you don’t see every day at the corner position. He definitely has CB2 potential and possibly CB1 with a shutdown skillset.
Though they don’t need a quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals choosing Milton III on day three is my favorite. He has the tools to succeed in the NFL, including his arm talent that is, honestly, a cannon. But, footwork is a major issue, and does get tunnel vision when he has the ball. He’s intriguing, and if he does develop to his potential, is a potential future starter…
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Featured Image: Eric Espada/Getty Images
