NFL Draft: Cardinals Bold Predictions
By Omar Soussi
In the months leading up to the draft, experts and fans alike have spent so much time trying to figure out a realist scenario of the NFL draft. That is not what this story will be. This article will be 3 bold predictions for the Cardinals and how they will act during the NFL draft. Now, I don’t expect these predictions to be that accurate, but these are scenarios that would be a lot of fun and insane if they did happen.
Prediction #1: Trade up to snatch Mariota:
I know how insane this sounds but think about it, the Cardinals basically shot themselves in the foot last year when their starting QB Carson Palmer went down. Palmer has two, maybe three years left before he retires and you need someone ready to take his spot.
Marcus Mariota is someone who does need a bit of time to adjust to the pro game and with him sitting on the bench learning from the offensive guru that is Bruce Arians, the Cards could be set at the quarterback position for the next 12 years or so.
The reason this couldn’t work is the price to trade up that high is way too much for the Cardinals. In reality, someone who really wants a Quarterback and really wants Marcus is going to trade in the top 5 to make sure that they don’t lose him to the Jets and that might be too late if the Titans take him.
The Cardinals don’t have what it would take to get that high and beside that, it seems like the Cardinals are satisfied with what they have already at the position.
Prediction #2: Cardinals trade up to snatch Dante Flower Jr.
Notice the similarity between prediction one and two. In this bold pick, the Cardinals get the best pass rusher in this draft and help re-energize the Cards pass rush. I was thinking about Leonard Williams, but I feel like the need of an outside linebacker/pass rusher is more important to the Cardinals.
The Cardinals need someone to help the pass rush after last year after only getting 35 sacks last year, 24th in the league. I also think he is a great addition to an already great Cardinals defense.
Now, why this will never happen is the same as the last one, the amount they would need to trade isn’t worth the trade at all. They would have to get to the third overall pick to snatch him and I don’t think Jacksonville will be so willing to make that happen (unless Arizona gives up the kings ransom for him).
Also, after top pass rushers Randy Gregory and Shane Ray were caught with drugs, the Cards can try to wait for them to fall to their pick.
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Prediction #3: Arizona snatches a receiver in the first round to replace Larry Fitzgerald:
Look I know insane and unbelievable the idea is but still, these are BOLD predictions. Now I didn’t mention trading up but that is a possibility for this list in particular.
Fitz isn’t really the same guy as he was that four-year stretch during the Kurt Warner years where he was arguably the best receiver in the league (Andre Johnson and the ridiculous Randy Moss record breaking year are the only receivers that could’ve stood up to him in that debate). Terrible, injury-ridden quarterbacks stood in his way for so many years during his prime and when Palmer came back, Fitzgerald prime was behind him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still good, but not in debate for best in the league good.
Fitzgerald just had his worst season of his career last year and he could be seeing fewer touches this year. The Cardinals could get a big body receiver to replace him (Jaelen Strong, Dorial Green Beckham), a speedster (Kevin White) or arguably the best receiver in the draft (Amari Cooper).
Regardless, you’ll pair Michael Floyd and John Brown with another explosive talent for many years to come if you went with this decision.
Now, the reason this won’t work is, like in the last two picks, they won’t trade so much to get to the top ten for a rookie. They have still a couple needs they need to fill and they still have three quality receivers on the team still.
Also, this won’t happen after Fitzgerald took a pay cut and is the most beloved athlete in Arizona. He still has a couple years left in the tank and could produce another productive season.
So there are my bold predictions. I know all of these ideas won’t happen but this isn’t about that, its about just having fun thinking what insane trades could possibly happen.