Second-round draft possibilities for the Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
While the top spot in the NFL Draft is a prized selection, the Arizona Cardinals’ second-round pick is quite valuable as well
Time is winding down for the Arizona Cardinals. A decision that could shape the future of the franchise will be made in less than two weeks. The question about what the Cards will do with the first-overall pick of the NFL Draft will be answered soon enough.
But while that selection is of the upmost importance, Arizona’s second-round choice (#33 overall) is also quite valuable. The top spot in the draft will supply the club with who they believe is the best collegiate prospect of 2019. And then, just 32 slots later, general manager Steve Keim will have first dibs on a player who falls just one pick short of being a first-round talent.
The possibilities in the second round appear to be endless at this point. The Cards have a bevy of roster holes that need to be filled. With that being the case, there are many directions that Keim can go at #33.
The depth behind Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk at the wide receiver position is weak at the moment. There’s a solid chance that Arizona State pass-catcher N’Keal Harry will be available at the start of the second round. South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel, who caught 62 passes for 882 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2018, could also still be around at that juncture.
The defensive line is another area of need for Arizona. Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons tallied 163 tackles (32.5 for loss) and seven sacks in three campaigns for the Bulldogs. Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery registered 30 tackles and eight sacks for the Fighting Irish last season.
Perhaps one day Keim will straighten out the Cardinals’ offensive line, but for now it’s still a mess. Ole Miss offensive tackle Greg Little has been projected to be taken in the first round, but could possibly fall to the Redbirds at the top of the second. Boston College lineman Chris Lindstrom, who played both tackle and guard during his college career, would also be a fine option.
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The Cards acquired veteran cornerbacks Robert Alford and Tramaine Brock this offseason, but adding a young cover guy or two would make some sense. Washington’s Byron Murphy totalled 58 tackles and four interceptions for the Huskies last year. Temple corner Rock Ya-Sin compiled 142 tackles, seven picks and 38 pass breakups in his four campaigns with the Owls.