Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft: Updated Day 3 Predictions
The Arizona Cardinals have been busy in the 2015 NFL draft thus far. With three picks in the first three rounds, Arizona did its best to fill needs on offense and defense. After a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, the Cardinals have six picks left on Day 3.
A trade could certainly happen now that the Cardinals have extra ammunition to play with. Moving up into the fourth round from the fifth round wouldn’t be too expensive, and it would allow the team to get a better quality of player. In all likelihood, the Cardinals won’t have nine rookies make the team.
With our final mock draft of the weekend, we predict that trade up, as well as the remaining picks for Day 3.
Round 4
1 of 4
No. 115: Adrian Amos, CB, Penn State
Trade: Cardinals trade Nos. 123, 158 and 241 for No. 115 from the Cleveland Browns
The one position the Cardinals have yet to address so far that is still a need is cornerback. Arizona prefers long cornerbacks that can play press, and the best available fit is Penn State’s Adrian Amos.
Amos moved from cornerback to safety in his senior season to help the team. He has great size at 6’0”, 218 pounds and tested as an elite athlete at the NFL combine. His potential is yet to be unlocked, which is why he fell in the draft.
Arizona’s extra picks would come in handy here to land Amos. To move up and secure their guy, the Cardinals should unload some picks that would be unlikely to make the roster anyway. It is about quality, not quantity, at this point for Arizona.
Round 5
2 of 4
No. 163: Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland
Arizona could use a talented receiver like Maryland’s Stefon Diggs, especially if he lasts this long. Diggs suffered from a lacerated spleen in 2014, which obviously has affected his draft status. But he is now healed and ready to participate.
Diggs is likely limited to the slot in the NFL. He is far removed from his explosive freshman season, when he totaled 848 yards and six touchdowns.
He’s still good enough to make a team, however, and contribute as a return man and slot receiver.
Round 6
3 of 4
No. 198: Lynden Trail, LB, Norfolk State
Instead of selecting an edge-rusher with great upside with their Day 2 picks, the Cardinals went for an effort player in Missouri’s Markus Golden. That’s not necessarily bad, but a long, developmental player must be added on Day 3.
One of the biggest upside players in this class is Lynden Trail of Norfolk State. Trail has elite size and fluidity at 6’7”, 269 pounds. He is extremely raw, though, so he needs a lot of time to learn.
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Round 7
4 of 4
No. 256: Darryl Baldwin, OT, Ohio State
To finish off their draft, the Arizona Cardinals take another valuable developmental player. Ohio State tackle Darryl Baldwin would be a bargain as a compensatory pick, as he has great athleticism and size.
Baldwin comes from a powerful Buckeyes offense that averaged 5.7 yards a carry on the ground. The former defensive lineman is still raw as a pass-blocker, but he can develop as a guard or tackle for the Cardinals long-term.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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