The NFL draft often brings surprises. In ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s final mock draft, there is a big surprise for the Arizona Cardinals. With the eighth overall pick, he has them passing on one of the top defensive players in the draft to select a tackle.
However, the player they pass on is the surprise.
In Kiper’s final projections, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is still on the board. Throughout the draft process, it has long been expected that he gets selected in the top five, usually with the third overall pick. He is most commonly connected to the Detroit Lions, who have a huge void at cornerback and Okudah is believed to be the very best in this draft class.
However, when the Cardinals make their pick at No. 8, Kiper has them passing on Okudah as well to select Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills.
I know Kyler Murray wants a receiver here, but Arizona has a bigger need at offensive tackle. Murray was sacked 48 times last season, tied for most in the NFL.
Wills isn’t a bad pick because he is very talented and fills an important need on offense. However, it would appear they are passing on superior talent to fill a perceived need, which usually gets teams in trouble eventually.
Given the choice of picks, this would be a less-than-stellar result of the first round for the Cardinals.
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Ep.265
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Ep. 264
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