Arizona Cardinals on the clock: Staff picks

The Arizona Cardinals are now less than 24 hours away from a decision on the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft

The waiting is finally almost over.  Four months of guessing, predicting all comes to an end on Thursday night for the Arizona Cardinals.  The 2019 NFL Draft and the number one pick is upon us.

The Cardinals were still keeping everything close to the vest as possible.  Not that we’d believe anything they would say now anyway.

Raising Zona staff took time to predict who the Cardinals would draft with the number one pick.  They each also added why they went with their pick.

The pick really comes down to about three players.  We all have our favorites but not necessarily who we believe will hear his name called first.

Alex Mann, staff writer

Selection: Quinnen Williams, Alabama

"Easily the highest upside player in the upcoming draft. He checked boxes left and right at the combine. He only has one year of film but he took full advantage of it and more"

Jim Koch, staff writer

Selection: Nick Bosa, Ohio State

"It’s been almost four months since I was asked who the Cards should take on April 25th and my answer always remains the same. Bosa has the skills, intensity, motor and bloodlines that you would look for in a number one overall pick.  He’s also not afraid to speak his mind, which will make things fun for those of us who will be covering him"

Cody Patanko, staff writer

Selection: Quinnen Williams

"My reasoning behind this is quite simple.With his speed and power combination he is a can’t miss pick.  When given the chance in Vance Joseph’s attacking 3-4 he should thrive in that environment with his gap control and penetration ability"

Jonah Hovis, staff writer

Selection: Kyler Murray, Oklahoma

"With the season going the way it did last year and the hiring of (Kliff) Kingsbury, the Cardinals should start fresh. Murray fits the scheme Kingsbury ran at Texas Tech and he is the type of quarterback we have never seen in the NFL.  He has flashing speed, quick agility, and a strong arm that was put on display all last year."

Avery Duncan, site co-expert

Selection: Quinnen Williams

"I had Nick Bosa as my pick at No. 1 overall all the way up until today.  Although brother Bosa may have the highest floor as an edge rusher in this class, he’s not exactly a scheme fit…he’s a perfect fit on a revamped defense….I envision Williams wreaking havoc on interior offensive lines everywhere."

Scott Allen, site co-expert

Selection: Quinnen Williams

I’ve been saying since day one it should be Williams.  The Cardinals need interior defensive line help.  This is not a knock on Murray or Bosa.

While all three players would make immediate impacts on the team, Williams gives the Cardinals the most upside when you lay out what they already have on the roster versus what picks they still have remaining in the draft.

Going after Williams allows the Cardinals flexibility with their second and third round picks.  They can go get receiver N’Keal Harry or if he is gone, get a top offensive lineman.  They can do the same in the third round.

So that makes four votes for Williams and one each for Bosa and Murray.  They really are the three best options.

They all have their upsides.  None really have a downside except for fit.  Don’t believe anyone’s word on what will happen until it happens.

People claim they have sources that say this here and that there.  In the end there may be truth to some of it but the only truth happens when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks to the podium Thursday night to announce the selection.