Arizona Cardinals 7-round mock draft, Big Ten only edition
By Jonah Hovis
Brandon Knight has played a lot of tackle, but most have called for a move to the inside, which he’d do well in. He has nice foot quickness, making him ideal as a pulling guard. Although he needs to play stronger and have more aggression for one of the most pounding position in the league, but he still shows promise with his footwork.
Knight will use his quick feet and agility to be key in the spread offense. He needs to improve on technique, but he has gifted athletic ability for his size (6-foot-4, 314-pounds) which is crucial to his game of being a solid guard to be used in pulling situations.
Showing promise at Indiana, Brandon Knight has the footwork to play in the NFL, but he must improve his hands and technique. The Big Ten tends to produce quality offensive lineman’s, but in the later rounds, they are kinda hit or miss. The Cardinals will look to go guard or center in day three and take a guy like Brandon Knight.
Hartage won’t wow you with his speed and physicality, but he will do everything right fundamentally for his team to win. He didn’t run well at the combine, which makes him a later round pick, but he showed great qualities of toughness at a very strong-minded program. He has great ball skills and is always near the ball making him a valuable draft pick.
The Cardinals already have a solid secondary with their recent additions, but should consider adding to the already well-fitted group. Hartage is the definition of a football player both physical and mentally using all his gifts to the field to use film to his action and being able to make plays. He has great awareness and play’s the ball in the air.
Hartage isn’t the most gifted guys in the draft but has the potential to be a pretty good football player. Every team needs those guys that love the process of football; from long days of training camp, hard workouts, and even not playing a much as you want but knowing your role and that is what Hartage could be for the Cardinals. I see him going in the seventh round or being an undrafted free agent.
As a team captain at Michigan, Kinnel showed leadership. He’s solid against the run and could be planted in the box when opponents have a power running back. However, he didn’t show any signs of good coverage at Michigan, so that is a big question to his game.
The Cardinals already have a young, yet star duo at safety with Swearinger and Baker, but always need back up help or having a three-safety coverage on deep downs. Like Swearinger, Kinnel is a sure-tackler and uses his wide frame to make them in the open field. He is willing to get dirty and have a give-it-your-all attitude that coaches love.
The seventh round is a round of pointless picks to many fans of the game of football but it is more than that. This is a round where team’s pick up special team specialists — the third aspect of the game. Kinnel could be a good addition to the special team’s as he’s a gritty player that can help create a culture of toughness.
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