Arizona Cardinals make 5th round selections
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals have made both of the fifth round selections of the 2016 NFL Draft
The Arizona Cardinals went small school to find their first selection of the fifth round. They selected Marqui Christian from Midwestern State. General manager Steve Keim has a knock for making finds from the smaller schools.
Christian is a bit of a surprise pick given his size at 5’11, 193. The Cardinals were open about wanting to get taller at the safety position. He ran a 4.46 at his pro day. He was not projected to be picked at all by CBSSports.com.
With their second pick of the fifth round the Cardinals went Ivy League. They took tackle Cole Toner from Harvard. Remember, the Cardinals also took tackle D.J. Humphries in the 2015 NFL Draft and didn’t play as a rookie.
The pick is an interesting one given the current make up of the roster but it is clear the Cardinals want depth on the line. He can play both sides of the line. He was also a two-time First-Team All-Ivy League player.
#Cardinals take one of my favorite sleepers in Midwestern State S Marqui Christian. A scout tipped me off on him and I became a big fan.
— Patrick Woo (@P_Woo) April 30, 2016
Welcome to AZ, #MarquiChristian!
— Marco Cordova (@MarcRedSeaDevil) April 30, 2016
I have a good feeling about this dude Marqui Christian #CardsDraft
— Mid-Major Enjoyer (@azkeyboarddog) April 30, 2016
There is also excitement about Toner. You can never go wrong with a smart guy.
Selection of Cole Toner gives Arizona flexibility with depth on the O-line. Primary backups are interior linemen, he can swing outside.
— CardinalsSource (@CardsSource) April 30, 2016
Cold tuna!!! Congrats!!!! Let's go #cardinals so proud of you! #coletoner #170th pick
— Girija Ramapriya (@Aji_Rig) April 30, 2016
Cole Toner is a good pick for Arizona.
— cayden steele (@cayden_steele19) April 30, 2016
The Cardinals have seemed to build depth on defense. Whether these guys eventually work out in the end for the Cardinals, we’ll see, but Keim has an eye for players from the smaller schools. Hopefully these guys work out as well.