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Arizona Cardinals contingent attend Darnold Pro Day

By Scott Allen

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks for an open receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks for an open receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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USC quarterback Sam Darnold had his pro day with the Arizona Cardinals one of the teams with representation in attendance

Before everyone gets their hopes up, the Arizona Cardinals are just doing their due diligence.  They attended USC quarterback Sam Darnold’s pro day on Wednesday in California.

The Cardinals sent a contingent to the event including that of head coach Steve Wilks and general manager Steve Keim.  Don’t read too much into it though.

Currently the Cardinals have the number 15 pick in April’s NFL Draft.  Darnold will be long gone by then.  In fact he’s not even expected to last to the fifth pick.

Still, the Cardinals would have been doing themselves a disservice by not attending.  You never know what kind of deal can manifest itself between now and the draft on April 26th.

What we do know is it is highly unlikely the Cardinals can put a package together for a team scheduled to pick higher than them that would propel them to a top five pick.

The Cardinals though should still have decent shots at guys like Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson and Josh Rosen, maybe even without moving up.  History says though not moving up usually doesn’t provide optimal results.

Still, Darnold would look good in a Cardinals uniform, even if he did go to USC.  And before you go there, let’s not compare him to Matt Leinart or even Carson Palmer.  Every USC quarterback is different.

It’s all about optics.  The Cardinals publicly showed they have at least an interest in Darnold and possibly have thoughts about moving up to get him.

It will take a lot.  Like it would take a lot of draft picks from not only this year but high picks for the next few years.

If the Cardinals are willing to piece a package together to go after Darnold, then he is your draft for the next few years.  They had better hope he is the real deal and truly is a franchise quarterback.

Next: Former Arizona Cardinals move elsewhere

Otherwise, today was nothing other than a scouting trip and its on to the next guy.  For now until April 26th, Darnold is still on the board.

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