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The Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft

By Johnathan Henson

Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cody Core (88) reaches for the end zone as he score a touchdown in front of LSU Tigers defensive back Rashard Robinson (21) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cody Core (88) reaches for the end zone as he score a touchdown in front of LSU Tigers defensive back Rashard Robinson (21) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA;Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive lineman Tylor Harris (36) tackles Duke Blue Devils quarterback Thomas Sirk (1) during the second quarter at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

4th Round (128th Overall Selection)
Tylor Harris – DE
Wake Forest – Senior
6-3, 304 Pounds
16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks

I see a lot of things that should happen this year, but will it? Maybe. The Cardinals drafted the exact position last season in the fourth round, Rodney Gunter, and it seems we will continue the trend. Something lacking on defense is the amount of pressure there was in the interior of the line, what should the Cardinals do about that? I think the best way to control those running quarterbacks is to send a couple guys on the edge (I guess that’s why we have Gunter and Calais Campbell), then let a force get into the teeth of the offense. Basic blitz packages, with the right defensive front, could be a wonderful device.

A lot of these players are highly unknown (can’t wait till my next selection, no cheating), but it doesn’t mean they can’t play at a high level. This year includes a couple of walk-ons who will be featured in the first two rounds (Carl Nassib of Penn State and Josh Doctson of Texas Christian), so just because no one sees the development of Tylor Harris, doesn’t mean he won’t get a chance to be drafted. Tylor is a penetrating defensive lineman with especially good first steps, I think he continues to impress throughout his whole senior year. He needs a little bit more strength for an interior lineman, but that’s why you still have Corey Peters and Xavier Williams to push him.

The Cardinals have been mediocre on the defensive line, Frostee Rucker and Josh Mauro have exceeded expectations, but I think it’s time to find a more perminant solution. I don’t even think Calais Campbell will be back next year, so what do the Cardinals need to do? Even if Tylor, Corey, and Rodney weren’t the answer, why not keep trying in the draft until you find the answers. Tylor has untapped potential, he could even play multiple positions, just got to believe in the process.

Next: An undiscovered talent

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