Arizona Cardinals: Just when you thought you knew them
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals have been everything but predicatable at draft time
Go look at all the mock drafts out there. Look at number 13 where the Arizona Cardinals pick. Whoever is in that spot likely will not be on the team roster next week for rookie mini-camp.
It’s not that some of the picks aren’t good ones. They are. Now, some, like ESPN’s Todd McShay thinking the Cardinals will go tight end are way out there.
But guys have the Cardinals taking players they could really use. On CBSsports.com four of the six analysts who did mock drafts have the Cardinals taking Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The other two? Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer.
Everyone knows the Cardinals are going to be looking for their next quarterback, mainly because that was the first thing they told the media when the 2016 season ended. Will they reach for one in the first round though?
More from Raising Zona
- Arizona Cardinals could pursue Eli Apple if Lou Anarumo comes aboard
- Arizona Cardinals: 3 ways the new head coach can change the culture
- Who should win the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job?
- Arizona Cardinals could wind up playing against Kliff in 2023
- Arizona Cardinals: Reliving Don Coryell’s Hall of Fame Career
If one of those guys are there, it would be hard to pass up. However just because we all think the Cardinals will take a quarterback if one of those guys are available at 13, doesn’t mean they will.
For all we know, they have an eye on someone special and they aren’t going to divulge who that person is. Word is they liked Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster. However after a failed drug test, he will likely fall.
Just don’t be too surprised by whatever surprise the Cardinals spring on you. Linebacker Deone Bucannon wasn’t on the radar three years ago. Nor was offensive lineman D.J. Humphries in 2015.
The later rounds are where Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim has found a few gems. They haven’t all been hits but many of them have.
Essentially, just keep your eyes and ears open. The Cardinals may just end up not doing what everyone expects them too. Of course after all this, they may end up doing exactly what we want them to do but that isn’t how they usually operate.