So far in almost every mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals are taking either a receiver, an offensive lineman or a defensive player. And the defensive players are a defensive lineman or a linebacker.
But in a recent mock draft by CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, a scenario plays out where the Cardinals could get the to cornerback in the draft.
In his mock draft, the Cardinals land Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah with the eighth overall pick.
In most mocks, Okudah goes third overall to the Detroit Lions. However, a trade to the No. 2 overall pick changes things. The Miami Dolphins trade up to No. 2 to select QB Tua Tagovailoa after QB Joe Burrows goes first overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Lions take pass rusher Chase Young and the New York Giants, insistent on taking an offensive lineman, land Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills.
The Redskins, now the fifth pick, land linebacker Isaiah Simmons.
The L.A. Chargers select QB Justin Herbert and then the Carolina Panthers take defensive lineman Derrick Brown.
The Cardinals could go with a receiver or a tackle, but somehow Okudah has fallen to the eighth pick.
In this scenario, Arizona would almost most certainly run to turn in the draft card to take Okudah. Cornerback is one of the hard-to-find positions GM Steve Keim spoke of on the radio he would draft even if his team doesn’t necessarily need one at the moment.
Byron Murphy, the Cards’ 2019 second-round pick, flashed at times during his rookie campaign, but Okudah is the best cornerback in this draft class and, in addition to Patrick Peterson, he’d give this secondary another much-needed playmaker.
Adding Okudah would give them a young player who could be a No. 1. Imagine Peterson, Okudah and Murphy in 2021.
Okudah is largely considered one of the two top players in the entire draft when quarterback is taken out of the equation. To land him at No. 8 would be a huge steal for Arizona.
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Ep. 258
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Ep. 257
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