Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals draft blueprint; how they can win every round of the 2019 NFL Draft

By Avery Duncan

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after sacking Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs (not pictured) in the first half during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after sacking Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs (not pictured) in the first half during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 17: Bug Howard #84 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a fingertip catch against Jimmy Moreland #37 of the James Madison Dukes during the game at Kenan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 17: Bug Howard #84 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a fingertip catch against Jimmy Moreland #37 of the James Madison Dukes during the game at Kenan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Round five: NOW draft the small-school heroes.

Steve Keim’s drafts tend to have a common theme; speed and small-school players. Although the speed part could be attributed to Bruce Arians, it’s hard to deny Steve Keim’s love for small-school players. However, he shouldn’t reach for one of these players like he has in the past (cough, Chad Williams), instead, he should wait until round five.

Some of my favorite small-school stars should be available here, and some could fit the team’s needs. At this point of the draft, a cornerback, tight end, or inside linebacker may not have been drafted because they are less of a priority. It would also be a good time to add depth or get a starter at slot cornerback.

While there are multiple smaller school players potentially available here, I would keep my eye on these nine players, as each has the game to start or be impact players in the first two years of their contracts.

  • Jimmy Moreland – CB, James Madison (pictured)
  • Keenen Brown – TE, Texas State
  • Khalil Hodge – LB, Buffalo
  • Josh Oliver – TE, San Jose State
  • Penny Hart – WR, Georgia State
  • Sutton Smith – EDGE, Northern Illinois
  • Travis Fulgham – WR, Old Dominion
  • B.J. Blunt – S, McNeese State
  • Oli Udoh – OL, Elon

If any of these players are available at No. 139 overall, give your local Cardinals front-office a call and tell them to select one of them. They are my “diamonds in the rough” day-three guys in this year’s class.

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