Odds are, the Arizona Cardinals have finalized their draft strategy
We don’t know if the Arizona Cardinals will stay at 16, trade up and sacrifice future draft picks for a big-time prospect, or trade down and accumulate more picks. And while we have our theories on who Steve Keim may take, today’s post outlines three prospects he should look at, but probably won’t.
The prospects you will see in the following slides comprise those at positions of need for the Cardinals and would make good mid-to-late first-round draft picks. However, odds are the Cardinals will look elsewhere or seek out a different position come draft day.
You won’t find the biggest names listed below, so Jalen Waddle and DeVonta Smith are not present if you’re thinking receiver. Ditto for perhaps the best pass catcher in the draft, Kyle Pitts, who the Cardinals would have to give up a lot for the rights to draft. Let’s uncover a few diamonds in the early-round rough.
Pat Freiermuth, TE/Penn State
Right now, Maxx Williams is the best tight end on the roster. Which isn’t saying much in the passing game. An outstanding run blocker, Williams will never draw attention away from DeAndre Hopkins.
If the Cardinals trade down, Freiermuth should grace their radar. He only played in 4 games in 2020 and therefore has little to show, but they call him “Baby Gronk” for a reason. His size and pass-catching ability (23 receptions in 4 games) would make him a huge threat in the red zone. He’s also an upgrade over Dan Arnold, who is now with the Carolina Panthers.
Many have a 1st to 2nd-round grade on Freiermuth, meaning that if the Cardinals stay put at 16, they will probably pass. Also, don’t expect them to consider him unless they trade deep into the first round – between picks 28 and 32.
However, if they don’t pick Freiermuth or trade the house to draft Pitts, expect them to take a tight end late. And who knows, it may just be the next George Kittle or Darren Waller?
Rondale Moore, WR/Purdue
Here’s one problem with Moore: He’s a clone of Andy Isabella. And two seasons after the (seemingly) failed Isabella experiment, it means Keim probably won’t risk undersized receiver from a mid-major college. Even if that mid-major college plays in a marquee conference.
Now, even if the likeness to Isabella won’t scare Keim and the Cardinals away from taking the sure-handed speedster – 35 receptions in 3 games in 2020, and 178 receptions in 20 career games at Purdue – injuries will. Moore has played in just 7 games in 2019 and 2020 combined.
We can give him the pass in 2020 because of the Big Ten’s late-season start, but just 4 games because of injuries in 2019 will bring up major red flags. Given his lack of sample size, he has limited experience at the collegiate level.
So why should the Cardinals even consider him? It’s because Moore, when healthy, has Wes Welker production at the collegiate level. He’s an ideal slot receiver and an impeccable route runner. His sure-handedness and ability to get open will draw attention away from DeAndre Hopkins.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB/Syracuse
Melifonwu has Patrick Peterson‘s size, and while most don’t consider him to be a first-round pick (11th ranked corner in Athlon Sports Draft Magazine), he’s a physical, all-purpose corner the Cardinals could take at the tail end of the first round. Obviously, he’s only to be considered if Keim trades down.
The younger brother of Obi Melifonwu racked up 55 tackles, including 3 for a loss and a sack during the 2020 season. He also broke up 9 passes and recorded an interception. Again, he’s an all-purpose player, and he has the statistics to back it up. Plus, if the Cardinals struggle with injuries at safety, they can always reposition him because of his ideal size.
Despite Melifonwu’s potential and 2020 production, Steve Keim has given every indication that he wants to win in 2021, and Melifonwu isn’t the plug-and-play type of player. He’ll need at least a year as a nickel or a dime back before he’s legitimately ready to move into a CB1 or CB2 role. His lack of production in 2018 and 2019 also indicates this.
However, he has the size and physicality to take on larger receivers, along with the speed to take on smaller, faster receivers. And even when he gets beat deep, he has the length to recover and make plays on the ball.