Arizona Cardinals 2014 NFL Mock Draft
By Scott Allen
Dec 28, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive tackle Zack Martin (70) blocks against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankees Stadium. Notre Dame Fighting Irish won the game 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals face an important day this May 8th in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Cards are so close to doing something special but probably far enough to leave many doubters out there still, even within the ranks of Cardinals fans. Personally, I do not think the Cards are too far away. The teams they beat on their 2013 schedule proved that. Recently, one of our network sites, nflmocks.com, did a breakdown of who they thought the Cards would take in this years draft. Not bad guesses at all. My mock draft would look a little different though.
First Round:
Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
I like what Martin brings to the table. I also think the other guys people think would go here, like Cyrus Kouandjio or Taylor Lewan will be gone. Offensive tackle should be the first pick. I can’t see the Cards going quarterback in the first round or addressing defense when the bigger need is on the offensive line.
NFL Mocks selection: Dee Ford, DE, Auburn
Second Round:
Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford
I like the idea of jumping to a defensive end now if Murphy is still on the board. He’s one of the taller ends available in the draft a 6’6.
NFL Mocks: Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
Third Round:
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa
I’m guessing at some point the Cards will address the tight end in the draft and may even so higher up if they can’t find someone in free agency. Unless they end up with someone like Jace Amaro in the first round, which I don’t believe they will, Fiedorowicz brings good hands and a big target, something the Cards have been missing and thought they were getting with Rob Housler.
NFL Mocks: Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada
Fourth Round:
Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
Here’s where the Cards take their chance on getting a franchise quarterback. Murray is a guy that can take a year or two to learn under Carson Palmer. Murray has good upside in that he doesn’t turn the ball over as much as some of the others. I like his 119 touchdown to 41 interception career ratio.
NFL Mocks: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
Fifth Round:
Bennett Jackson, CB, Notre Dame
At this point, it should be just about who’s ranked higher on the board at the position. If Jackson is still there, he should be the corner the Cards draft.
NFL Mocks: Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty
Sixth Round:
Kevin Pierre-Louis, OLB, Boston College
Depth is the name of the game. Pierre-Louis has the right size and with as many linebackers that shuttled on and off the roster for the Cards due to injury in 2013, depth at OLB should be a concern.
NFL Mocks: Rob Blanchflower, TE, Massachusetts
Seventh Round:
Nate Freese, K, Boston College
If the Cards don’t find a kicker in free-agency, it’s not a certainty they take a kicker late in the draft but if they take a chance, it should be Nate Freese. He was 20-20 in 2014 and has a leg. Amongst the top five kicker prospects in the 2014 draft, he is the only one to make field goals over 50 yards and be perfect on the season.
NFL Mocks: Calvin Barnett, DT, Oklahoma State