Arizona Cardinals must avoid a common tendency in the 2019 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals need a legitimate #1 receiver, I know it, you know it, and grandma probably knows it. But Steve Keim’s asphyxiation for speed could hinder their ability to find one.

Since 2013, Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim has drafted five wide receivers. On average, those wide receivers record a 4.36-second 40-yard-dash time, which is .13-seconds less than the average for NFL wide receivers between 2000 and 2012.

That 4.36-second time is excellent before you consider that just two of Keim’s drafted receivers on are on the roster — Christian Kirk and Chad Williams, the latter of the two being buried on the depth chart after a disappointing second season.

When you take out Kirk’s slowest time of 4.47-seconds, the group averages a 40-yard-dash in 4.33-seconds, which would be good for the second best time out of all the 2019 invitees.

Luckily, the Redbirds have four opportunities in the first 103 picks to secure their future at the position in one of the deepest wide receiver classes in recent memory that has depth at everything but the ‘speed-merchant’ category.

Steve Keim might be growing out of his need for speed though. While the team has been linked to just four receivers through April 2nd of the draft process, the list includes N’Keal Harry, Myles Boykin, Keesean Johnson, and Andy Isabella. Upset for the talented Isabella, these receivers are all thought of more for their outside wide receiver potential than speed alone.

But, if Keim does intend to continue with his trend of speed first, everything else second, some intriguing options could boost the Cardinals offense.

Five current draft-eligible receivers ran the 40-yard-dash within Keim’s benchmark of 4.36-seconds. The receivers include Parris Campbell, Andy Isabella, D.K. Metcalf, Mecole Hardmon, and Terry McLaurin. While all five ran the 40-yard-dash in less than 4.36-seconds, they also can open up an offensive with other positive traits and good pass-catching tendencies.

While we genuinely don’t know the Cardinals draft plans until the end of April, their team visits have been telling of what they may do at receiver, for the better. So does their 2018 draft, which showed a priority in all-around talent than speed alone with the second-round selection of Christian Kirk. However, the process isn’t over meaning we could see the Cardinals bring in more speed-first players.