The NFL draft is more than a month away and the Arizona Cardinals could go a number of directions with their first-round selection, the 16th pick of the draft. While right now most mock drafts have them selecting a cornerback, an offensive lineman or even a pass rusher, they could be in the range to take one of the two top running backs.
After all, it looks like the Cardinals will be moving on Kenyan Drake, who will be a free agent later this month when the new league year begins.
One of them actually has his eyes on them.
Former NFL star Brandon Marshall put together an NFL combine-like even that streams on FOXSports.com. He interviewed Clemson running back Travis Etienne, who is either the No. 1 back or No. 2 back to Alabama’s Najee Harris, depending on who you talk to, and asked him what his dream scenario would be for the draft.
Etienne didn’t hesitate. “I’m not even going to lie to you,” he said. “My dream scenario is the Cardinals at 16.”
Travis Etienne #AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/tnWHwD2crh
— Vic (@CardinalsElite) March 6, 2021
His skillset would match what the Cardinals want in a running back.
Etienne is a threat running and catching the ball. He rushed for only 914 yards on the ground in 2020 but scored 14 touchdowns and added 48 catches for 588 yards and two more scores.
He rushed for over 1,600 yards each of the previous two seasons and found the end zone 78 times in four seasons for Clemson.
A potential pairing of Etienne and Chase Edmonds next season would be fun to see in 2021. Etienne wants to see it happen. He very well could be available for the Cardinals to draft with the 16th pick. The question is whether or not they do it.
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