Cardinals Trade Down And Get A Big Hitting Safety At #27 Overall

Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) returns an interception in the second quarter against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The selection is in for the Arizona Cardinals at number 27 after trading the number 20th pick to the New Orleans Saints, the Cards  picked up another third round pick getting pick number 91 overall.

Cardinals were trading down to get DE Dee Ford and that did not happen as the Chiefs picked him at 23, also the Valley faithful was expecting that the team would take CB Darquese Dennard as he fell very late in the first round, and it is not understood as to why he fell so late as many teams with corner needs passed on him.

The Cardinals selected S Deone Bucannon out of Washington State University, although not the popular selection for the fans (as the buzz has been fairly quite) But it seems the fans are trusting in Keim and company.

The selection of Bucannon does take care of a need, Bucannon is a tall cover safety and ideal for covering the tall receiver and more practically the tight ends in the division and around the league in which the team struggled with all season last year.

Bucannon stands at 6’1 211 lb. with big hands and is labeled a head hunter, which he will have to make an NFL adjustment not to gain that reputation.

He can catch the ball like a wide receiver and can cover ground because of his length, his draft stock picked up steam because of his combine numbers running a 4.48 in the 40, a 36.5 inch vertical leap, and should be a good strong safety that will scare some receivers running routes.

It is a safe pick without reaching for a quarterback: Bucannon was reported as a high rated safety; GM Steve Keim says “he has a Adrian Wilson feel to him” but over all the Cardinals going for need was the only pick left at number 27, although Keim in company stated that Bucannon was listed in the top 20 on their draft board.