Perfect Picks 2023: Arizona Cardinals
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - Will Anderson (Edge Rusher, Alabama)
The Cardinals should have plenty of options at pick 3 in the draft. They will certainly be hoping to hear trade offers to get out of the pick but with plenty of selections anyway they may be best served taking the best non-quarterback in the draft. With the amount of holes on the roster it gives them plenty of flexibility but with Jalen Carter’s off-field issues, Alabama’s Will Anderson is the favourite for now.
Anderson was a force in 2021, 31 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. His production was always going to take a hit this year. Offenses were primed to double and triple team him and of course Anderson will have found it difficult not to have one eye on his NFL future. He still logged 10 sacks and would be an immediate upgrade on the pass rushing options currently on the Cards’ roster.
Round 2 - Emmanuel Forbes (Cornerback, Mississippi State)
The Cardinals’ secondary had been a bright spot of sorts. Even though the team has been a disaster their defensive back selections have been promising. One of them, Byron Murphy, departed in free agency and that leaves Rashad Fenton and a rookie from last year’s class Marco Wilson as the starting corners. That is very worrying on paper.
So inject a playmaker into the backfield. Emmanuel Forbes won’t be every team’s cup of tea. At 166lbs he would be the outlier of all outliers. However, his ball skills and production give him a chance. Six interceptions in 2022, with three being returned for a TD show what a defensive weapon he is. It will be tougher and more physical in the NFL but Forbes has the speed and savvy to thrive.
Mid Round Gem - Jon Gaines (Interior Offensive Line, UCLA)
The Cardinals brought in Hjalte Froholdt to man the center spot in 2023 but they would be well advised to take an insurance policy in the draft. Froholdt scored a 61.5 PFF grade in 2022 and next to him Will Hernandez was brought back, he too only managed a grade of 65.4. That makes the need for a versatile interior offensive lineman a high priority.
UCLA’s Jon Gaines is generating plenty of draft buzz late in the process. Gaines played five seasons for the Bruins with most of his snaps coming at right guard. He did take plenty on the left side and at center too. He carved open running lanes for Zach Charbonnet and only allowed 18 pressures on 932 snaps in 2022. NFL.com has him ranked as the most athletic guard in the class and his movement skills will help protect the mobile Kyler Murray when he returns from injury.
Late Round Sleeper - Malik Cunningham (Quarterback, Louisville)
Talking of quarterbacks, how about drafting a long-term backup to Murray? Colt McCoy has filled in admirably for Murray but why not take a swing and add another developmental prospect. Malik Cunningham is the ultimate dice roll in this draft class. He is a closer match to the frenetic, off-script style of Murray and would allow the Cardinals to have an athletic phenom to step in should Murray get banged up again.
Cunningham is so athletic that he racked up over 600 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season for Louisville. He was so impressive as a runner that some draft scouts have suggested a position change may benefit his career long-term. Cunningham remains steadfast in his desire to be a quarterback and learning behind Murray in this offense would be an ideal landing spot.
Draft In Full:
Round 1 – Will Anderson (Edge Rusher, Alabama)
Round 2 – Emmanuel Forbes (Cornerback, Mississippi State)
Round 3 – AT Perry (Wide Receiver, Wake Forest)
Round 3 – Tyler Steen (Offensive Tackle, Alabama)
Round 4 – Jon Gaines (Interior Offensive Line, UCLA)
Round 5 – Riley Moss (Cornerback, Iowa)
Round 6 – Nick Broeker (Offensive Guard, Ole Miss)
Round 6 – Malik Cunningham (Quarterback, Louisville)
