The Arizona Cardinals may want to stick to this blueprint to win the 2019 NFL Draft.
With speculation, questions, and doubts have been flying around left and right for the Arizona Cardinals, fans should be excited that the draft is coming soon. But, without a clear plan agreed upon, fans don’t know what the draft class may look like, and who the quarterback of the future is. Even though, in my opinion, they have that quarterback already on the roster.
With that being said, here is how the Redbirds can win each round of the draft. But don’t worry, this isn’t another mock, rather, it’s what they should do. For fans of mocks, there are players in each round that I’ve put in so you can get a jist of who I’d target where.
But beware Team Kyler Murray, you may not like the way the first round goes.
Round one: Avoid Kyler Murray.
This is simple, but at this point, it’s hard to imagine this not happening. Murray has solidified himself as the top option by most draft pundits as he appears to be Kliff Kingsbury’s guy for his Air Raid scheme.
But that doesn’t mean it should happen. After all, just a year ago the Arizona Cardinals traded up to get Josh Rosen. While the former UCLA Bruin quarterback struggled earlier on, he showed some redeemable traits including poise, arm talent, and intelligence. Although he has a ways to go, Kingsbury was brought in to be the ‘quarterback whisperer,’ plus moving on from him may not fair well in the locker room.
Instead of drafting Murray, the Redbirds could give Rosen the defensive playmakers to get the ball back in his hands or trade down and add more star potential.
If Keim decides to stay at No. 1 overall and not draft Murray, he would have the option of two generational defensive talents in Quinnen Williams or Nick Bosa. For a defense that struggled mightily just last season, either would project as an upgrade and scheme fit in the new, aggressive 3-4 defensive front Vance Joseph brings.
If they wanted to trade down for say the Giants’ No. 6 and No.17 and other picks, the Cardinals could add top defensive talent, perhaps Ed Oliver, and get the wide receiver they want in the middle of the first.
Either way, both options project to be better ones than Kyler Murray. Although drafting Murray may sell more jerseys, adding nearly sure-thing defensive prospects would be much safer. The Cardinals simply aren’t in the market to make luxury picks by the name of Kyler Murray. Plus, if the Cardinals add the Oklahoma dual-threat, the team will likely have to trade away Rosen for a discount.