Arizona Cardinals First Round Draft Options
By Scott Allen
Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Kony Ealy (47) forces a fumble against Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) during the first quarter of the 2013 SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
As we grow nearer to the the NFL Draft in less than a month, there are rumors but no firm grasp on which way the Arizona Cardinals will go with their first round draft pick at number 20. Unless there is a trade, I can pretty much rule out the Cards will draft a quarterback in the first round. I fully expect them to draft one in the third or fourth though. This is about the only certainty outside of kicker and punter of course. After that, your guess is as good as mine.
Probable positions: OT, LB, TE, DE
The talk mostly lately has been about defensive end. I’ve seen many mock drafts where the thought is the Cards will take Missouri’s defensive end Kony Ealy. I’m not sold on that idea. Its a good though and help is needed on the line no doubt. Do they need one that early? It doesn’t hurt Ealy is really good but could there be better options?
Linebacker is another option. I actually could see the Cards looking here first with the revolving door the Cards seem to have at the outside linebacker position lately. Again though, is it a position that maybe the Cards can make a real find in later rounds?
Tight end was originally my thought a couple of months ago but then they signed John Carlson and re-signed Jake Ballard. I don’t think now the Cards would be looking at a tight end this early. Defensive end is a possibility. I’ve seen mocks come up with Auburn’s Dee Ford mentioned.
Unlikely but maybe: QB
As much as people want that franchise quarterback now, I haven’t seen many people think the Cards will draft a quarterback this high. With the draft class the way it is right now, I’d agree. All the quarterback talk has been centered around Zach Mettenberger from LSU. I see him as a second-third rounder. I did see one expert on NFL.com think the Cards will go with Derek Carr. Interesting but I just don’t see it right now.
As I always say with every piece I do on the draft, your guess is as good as mine. I just can’t wait for it to get here. This could be one of the more interesting drafts we’ve seen in quite sometime with all the uncertainty out there.