With the first wave of free agency done in the NFL, the needs different teams have for the NFL draft have changed a little. As such, mock drafts will change.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper published his third mock draft of the season and has the Arizona Cardinals going with an offensive lineman, as they acquired receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Houston Texans.
His pick for the Cardinals? It is Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs.
With DeAndre Hopkins on his way to Arizona, the Cardinals filled their need for a new No. 1 wide receiver. One spot they haven’t addressed? Right tackle, where they could upgrade on former undrafted free agent Justin Murray, who started 12 games last season. This team could have its pick of a deep top tier of tackles, but I like the fit with Wirfs, who was predominantly a right tackle in college. He’s a load in the run game and has great feet in pass protection. Arizona must protect quarterback Kyler Murray, who was sacked 48 times last season, tied for most in the league.
In this set of projections, the Cardinals have their choice of all the offensive linemen. Wirfs is the first off the board. They could also have selected Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton or Andrew Thomas. They also could have gone with any receiver.
Wirfs is the most athletic of the group of linemen and appears to be the most pressing need, although the Cardinals are pleased with Justin Murray.
They could double down at receiver and add CeeDee Kamb or Jerry Jeudy, giving them a truly dynamic group of receivers for quarterback Kyler Murray.
Wirfs or Wills would be a safe pick. Lamb would be splashy.
[vertical-gallery id=434419]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 261
[protected-iframe id=”d86bd5f63d5bb1802434c3656dc196ff-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/23833732/download.mp3″ ]
Ep. 260
[protected-iframe id=”191cb7af54af090fb185ae46227d1137-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/23462482/download.mp3″ ]