Defensive lineman makes most sense for Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
A pronounced lack of depth on the Arizona Cardinals defensive line should make the drafting of Quinnen Williams an easy decision
It can’t be denied that the Arizona Cardinals have added intrigue to the NFL Draft this year. What the club will do with the first-overall selection has become the league’s million dollar question these days. Based strictly on need, that decision should be an easy one for the Cards’ front office.
A close look at the team’s roster reveals that Arizona is extremely thin on the defensive line. That being said, it just so happens that one of the top prospects in the draft plays that very position.
Alabama’s Quinnen Williams may be the most complete collegiate prospect of 2019. In fact, the defensive tackle was awarded the Outland Trophy for his outstanding performance last season. Williams tallied 71 tackles, including a eye-popping 19.5 for a loss, and eight sacks in 2018 to earn the honor.
The Cardinals’ defensive front could sure use that level of production. Veteran Corey Peters and Darius Philon are solid starters, but Pro Bowl material they are not. The remaining depth behind that pair is downright scary.
Former first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche has been both inconsistent and injury-prone during his three professional campaigns. Inexperienced individuals like Pasoni Tasini, Vincent Valentine and Cameron Malveaux are the only other options at the moment. It’s not a stretch to say that the Cards could use some help in this area.
As it stands now, it appears as if there are three candidates vying to be the draft’s top pick. In no particular order they are Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray and the Crimson Tide’s Williams. Arizona fans, according to the latest message boards at least, appear to be evenly divided on the three.
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There are those who believe that Murray would be the perfect quarterback for the Cardinals’ new “Air Raid” offense. Others think that Bosa would terrorize opposing signal-callers for the next decade or so if he came to the desert. That’s all well and good, but an argument could still be made that Williams is the most logical choice for the Cards.