Tag: Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals take versatile Isaiah Simmons with 8th overall pick in draft

They get a versatile defender who can do almost everything and with elite athleticism.

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The Arizona Cardinals have added a versatile defender to their team. With the eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft, they selected Clemson defender Isaiah Simmons.

Simmons spent four seasons with the Tigers, playing three and redshirting his freshman year. He did a little of everything, playing safety, linebacker and in the slot.

He offers a rare blend of size, length, speed and explosiveness.

In 2019 for the National Champion runner-ups, he had his most complete season. He had 107 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions, 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

He also was a team captain.

He can play the run, he can rush the passer and he can cover.

Some project him as a linebacker in the pros and others as a safety. He could also play as an edge rusher in some defenses because of his length and speed. As a rookie for the Cardinals, because they do not really have any open starting spots, he could play as a rotational defender in many positions — in the slot, off the edge or in space.

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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.265

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Ep. 264

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Kliff Kingsbury made everyone jealous with his lavish home NFL Draft setup

Kliff Kingsbury has an amazing view.

NFL staffers are stuck at home in their own individual NFL Draft war rooms on Thursday due to the coronavirus crisis, and there’s a wide range of setups across the league. San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch is working in high-tech paradise, with five different computer monitors, three telephones and a television at his disposal. New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman, meanwhile, is using a single laptop and a massive binder.

The best draft setup in the NFL, though, may belong to Kliff Kingsbury. The Cardinals shared a photo of Kingsbury lounging in his beautiful home and casually enjoying the pre-draft coverage. If he gets bored waiting for the Cardinals’ pick at No. 8, he could just glance over to the stunning view outside his window. It’s good to be Kliff.

 

 

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LOOK: Kliff Kingsbury has the best war room for the NFL draft

You can’t get a better setup for the draft than the Cardinals head coach.

The NFL draft is a completely virtual event this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and normally the Arizona Cardinals would have their decision makers at team headquarters in Tempe. This year, everyone is at their own home.

Commissioner Roger Goodell is conducting the draft from his basement. We see home offices, Winnebagos and rooms that look like are a laundry room converted into a draft room.

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is taking a more relaxed approach to the draft.

Check this out:

What a view. He has stylish, comfortable clothes, a big, comfy sofa, a huge television, two monitors, a laptop and multiple cell phones.

Kingsbury is known for being cool. It doesn’t get much cooler than how he is set up for the draft.

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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.265

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Ep. 264

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Report: Ravens tried to trade for former Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins

The Baltimore Ravens clearly want to continue adding weapons around QB Lamar Jackson and were interested in former Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins

The Baltimore Ravens don’t necessarily need to grab the top wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft but they could use more help at the position. After remaking their wide receiver corps over the draft and free agency for the last two offseasons, Baltimore has a formidable group of young players. But that won’t stop them from going after a legit No. 1 guy if the opportunity presents itself.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Michael Silver, the Ravens were one of the teams that tried to trade with the Houston Texans for All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans ended up trading Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for a second-round pick and running back David Johnson instead.

Though a second-round pick is nothing to sneeze at, Baltimore certainly has the draft capital to make that work. They enter the 2020 NFL Draft with two second-round picks (No. 55 and No. 60) in addition to two third-round picks (No. 92 and No. 106). If they wanted Hopkins bad enough, there seems little doubt they could have put a package together to get him from Houston.

However, any trade is likely going to come with a new contract and Hopkins is considered to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. A new deal for him would have been very costly and though Baltimore could have worked the numbers to make it fit into their 2020 salary cap, it would have been tough down the road.

Hopkins has caught 632 passes for 8,602 receiving yards and 54 receiving touchdowns over seven years with the Texans. He’s put up 1,500-plus receiving yards twice and led the league in touchdown catches in 2017. That type of receiving talent combined with Marquise Brown and 2019 NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson would have made the Ravens’ offense deadly.

With the 2020 NFL Draft about to kick off, it seems likely Baltimore is going to show interest in a historically deep wide receiver class.

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Final Draft Wire mock draft projects Cardinals trade out of pick, land D-lineman

The move down to No. 16 overall and pick up a second-round pick.

The NFL Draft is tonight and, before the madness begins for real, Draft Wire managing editor Luke Easterling has one final mock draft for us to digest and ponder. In this mock of the first round that includes trades, he has the Arizona Cardinals trading out of the No. 8 pick in the draft.

He has the Atlanta Falcons moving up to select Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown. The Cardinals move down eight spots to No. 16 overall and pick up the Falcons’ second-round pick, No. 47 overall.

The Cardinals use the 16th pick to select South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw.

I’m betting if the Falcons knew they could have stayed here and still landed Kinlaw, they wouldn’t have moved up for Brown. But that’s not how this works, and the Cardinals reap the benefits by landing Kinlaw and adding an extra pick in the process.

Kinlaw was dominant for the Gamecocks against SEC competition, and did the same at the Senior Bowl before be bowed out with a minor injury. At 6-5, 315 pounds, Kinlaw has the size and skills to line up anywhere in any scheme along the defensive line.

Kinlaw’s story of overcoming adversity is harrowing and inspiring, and he brings a competitive mentality to every snap that all 32 teams should want on their defense. He’s a steal outside the top 15, and a huge addition at a position of need for the Cards.

Kinlaw does definitely fill a defensive need and people fell in love with him at the Senior Bowl. He offers much more pass-rushing upside than Derrick Brown, but the Cardinals would lose out on top receiver prospects and offensive line prospects by moving back.

The Cardinals are reportedly interested in trading back and several scenarios seem plausible. The projected trade with the Falcons is one of them.

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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.265

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Ep. 264

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NFL teams reportedly wouldn’t be surprised if CeeDee Lamb is selected by Arizona Cardinals

It’s no secret Kyler Murray wants a reunion.

It’s no secret Kyler Murray wants a reunion.

Despite the addition of star wide receiver, the former Oklahoma quarterback has continued to lobby for Arizona to draft former teammate CeeDee Lamb with the No. 8 pick. So much so that teams around the league will not be surprised if that’s their pick, per ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

Murray has been vocal about being paired with Lamb, as well as the addition of other offensive weapons throughout the draft. 

The Cardinals currently have the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, and Murray has apparently been adamant to Cardinals GM Steve Kiem about drafting Lamb.

“Kyler has lobbied for CeeDee Lamb, he’s lobbied for four or five OL, a RB and a tight end.” Kiem said. “He hasn’t once said anything to me about defensive players so I’m not sure he’s a guy I’m going to hang my hat on when it comes to draft day.”

The draft will take place April 23, at 7 p.m. CT. It has moved to a completely online format due to the coronavirus.

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5 potential trade-down scenarios for the Cardinals in the 1st round

The Cardinals are open to trading down in the first round. Here are some reasonably plausible scenarios for them.

The Arizona Cardinals have the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft tonight but do not have a second-round pick because of the trade for receiver DeAndre Hopkins. According to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, they are a team interesting in trading down in the first round.

There are a number of possibilities because of rumors of teams being interested in moving into the top 10.

What are some potential trade-down scenarios?

Moving down to No. 14 in a trade with Tampa Bay

The Bucs are rumored to be targeting one of the top four tackles in the draft to give new quarterback Tom Brady the protection he needs to get the ball to his many receiving weapons.

However, to move back from No. 8 to No. 14, it might not net the Cardinals a second-round pick unless they add another pick or perhaps throw in a player like linebacker Haaason Reddick, a player drafted originally by the Cardinals when Bruce Arians, now the coach of the Bucs, was coaching in Arizona.

The belief is that Tampa wants to keep its second-round pick to target a running back.

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2 receivers in draft have family connections to Cardinals

USC’s Michael Pittman’s father played for the Cardinals, while Texas’ Devin Duvernay is Kyler Murray’s cousin.

The Arizona Cardinals, by signing linebacker Devon Kennard this offseason, gave the team its third father/son pairing to play for the team in its history. They could potentially do it again in the NFL draft.

There are two receiver prospects with family connections to the Cardinals, including one whose father played for the team.

One is USC receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

He is obviously the son of Michael Pittman. The senior Pittman was a running back drafted by the Cardinals in 1998. He played four seasons for the team, increasing his production each of the seasons.

He was known for his biceps and his tough play.

His son is big and physical as a receiver. He will likely be drafted on Day 2. He is 6-4, 223 pounds and good speed for his size. He catches everything and plays and runs hard.

The Cardinals could make him the fourth player in team history to have his father be a former Cardinal.

The second receiver who has family ties to the Cardinals is Texas’ Devin Duvernay. He is Kyler Murray’s cousin.

He is a much different player than Pittman. He is small and fast at 5-10 and a 40 time of 4.39 seconds.

He might be a late Day 2 or Day 3 pick.

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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.265

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Ep. 264

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Kyler Murray gives incoming rookies big advice

He calls on the incoming draftees to remember and to take a stand in the community.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is not a vocal guy and mostly wants his actions to speak for him. So when he has something to say, even with only one year in the NFL, it is powerful.

He penned a letter to this year’s draft class for The Players’ Tribune. In it he gives some critical pieces of advice.

One is to remember things.

He writes, “remember the whole journey” of the years and the grind leading up to the draft, beginning years ago. He also tells them to remember they “didn’t make this journey alone” and that “this moment is about them, too.”

Murray also take the opportunity to call upon the incoming rookies to do more than just football.

I’ve noticed there’s a common denominator for guys who stick around in this league: They have a purpose that’s bigger than themselves. 

That’s the thing that nobody really tells you. And it’s easily lost in all the hype and the numbers and what people are saying about you on social media. But once your dream comes true and you get the blessing of putting on that hat for the first time, you have the chance to stand for something much bigger than yourself. 

It’s about what you do off the field when no one is looking — especially right now. It’s about showing the kids from your city that you are worth believing in. It’s about being the man your family prayed you’d be. 

So what are you going to stand for? It can’t just be the W’s and L’s.

Murray tells about his involvement with GENYOUth to help feed the children in America during a difficult time when schools are closed, as many kids across the country now have lost their one certain meal of the day.

For Cardinals fans, we are watching the transformation of a young football player turn into something more. He wants to win more than anything else, but pairing that with critical community help turns him into a hero.

Being around guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Corey Peters and David Johnson, as well as all the other Cardinals players who are active in charitable work, is making Murray even better than he was going to be.

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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.265

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Ep. 264

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Mel Kiper has Cardinals passing on top CB for OT in final mock draft

They take Jedrick Wills over Jeff Okudah in Kiper’s final mock draft.

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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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.265

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Ep. 264

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