Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals 7-round mock draft, including one massive trade

By Avery Duncan

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KS – NOVERMBER 3: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones slips past cornerback Hasan Defense #13 of the Kansas Jayhawks as goes for a 51-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS – NOVERMBER 3: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones slips past cornerback Hasan Defense #13 of the Kansas Jayhawks as goes for a 51-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 33

I love the Hakeem Butler-Arizona Cardinals fit here at No. 33. Why? Because Butler, like Gary, is the rare blend of speed and size. That’s not an overstatement. At 6-5, 227-pounds with a 4.48 second 40-yard-dash in the books, Butler has received Calvin Johnson comparisons for a reason.

The former Iowa State Cyclone is a headache to defend in contested catch situations due to that height, jump-ball ability (36-inch vertical), and good body control. His ability to pluck the ball out of the air and use his toe drag swag tendencies to make the impossible possible.

Butler also has improved his game after the catch as he uses his functional athleticism and length to deny defenders space. Against press coverage, he tends to use his length to his advantage but has an underrated ability to beat bigger more physical cornerbacks with developed footwork.

Despite his impressive resume, Butler may fall to the second round due to his weaknesses. His lack of quickness and fluidity in his breaks are apparent and it should result in him seeing a compacted route-tree that features mostly vertical routes. Per Pro Football Focus, his lower career catch rate of 57.6% and 17 drops are also concerning statistics.

But don’t get it twisted. If Butler is available at No. 33 it would be foolish not to select the Arizona Cardinals X-receiver of the future.

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