NFL Draft 2011: Arizona Cardinals Seven Round Mock Draft...Take Two

I actually did a seven-round mock draft several weeks back, just for fun.

I'm interested to see which one will be closer to what actually happens...

There are several factors that will determine, as we all know, what the Arizona Cardinals will actually do come tomorrow night (as well as Saturday).

And I'd be happy if I just got one pick right. I sort of got one right last year (I said they'd take Max Hall...just not the undrafted part...), but I'm hoping to actually get one dead on this year.

Boy, I can't wait until tomorrow night. Anyone with me?

Let's mock!

Round 1, Pick 5: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Patrick Peterson #7 of the LSU Tigers against of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Georgia Dome on September 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

You know, it's interesting...I actually thought about putting Dan Williams to the Cardinals last year.

But I said to myself, "There's no way. Miami will probably take him 10 spots earlier. Or someone would probably take him. He probably won't fall to us."

Well, I was wrong. And happy about it.

I unfortunately don't see that happening with Von Miller this year.

While Buffalo doesn't necessarily need a pass rusher, I hear they are in love with Miller, so I expect them to take him.

I hope I'm wrong, because the Cardinals probably won't hesitate if he's there.

So, I'll go next player available that fits their system the best.

Hello, Patrick Peterson.

Also known as the best consolation prize. Ever.

While the Cardinals don't have a pressing need at cornerback, I don't see them taking a QB here. And there just doesn't seem to be another OLB or OG that could make an immediate impact.

Peterson definitely can.

Round 2, Pick 38: Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is sacked by Brooks Reed #42 of the Arizona Wildcats during the third quarter of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wild

What the heck.

I've got a soft heart for the hometown boys, and I really hope Reed falls to Arizona.

The end of the first round is next to impossible to predict (like last year with Williams going to Arizona, Dez Bryant to Dallas, Tim Tebow to Denver, etc.).

So, while some see Reed going to a New England or Baltimore, I can definitely see him falling into round two.

Reed has reminded a lot of people of Clay Matthews.

And while I don't know that he's a Clay Matthews, he certainly has a great motor, and knows how to get to the QB.

It might be tough for him to transition from DE to OLB, but he's a fairly athletic guy, so I'm sure he and Ray Horton can figure it out.

Round 3, Pick 69: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Lance Kendricks #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Da

Tight end is actually a fairly big need for Arizona.

Granted, it probably won't take one this soon, but you never know.

Lance was actually in one of my previous mock drafts as well, and I confess I keep coming back to him as a good fit.

While I didn't watch a ton of him in college, from what I've seen, he has good hands, is a big target, and can block proficiently (you have to in Wisconsin's offense!).

What's not to like about a guy like that in Arizona's offense?

Round 4, Pick 103: Stephen Schilling, OG, Michigan

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Stephen Schilling #52 of the Michigan Wolverines blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

They could easily take an offensive guard much sooner (although I doubt in round 1).

The Cards have a dilemma on their hands, that was recently brought to my attention, at offensive guard.

While I see Duece Lutui resigning, Alan Faneca ain't gettin' any younger, and very well could retire.

So they are going to need some help.

I just think they'll probably wait a little while to get one.

And although I don't know much about Schilling, he did play in a spread offense with a running quarterback, so he's probably very mobile and a good pass blocker, which is what Arizona would need.

Round 5, Pick 136: Nate Irving, ILB, NC State

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ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Jock Sanders #9 of the West Virginia Mountineers misses a catch defended by Nate Irving #56 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the Champs Sports Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Flor

Irving is a guy I've had the privilege of watching a few times, and let me tell you, I'd be thrilled to get him in the later rounds of the draft.

There is an injury risk (he missed all of 2009 after a car wreck), but like O'Brien Schofield, I think Irving is being severely undervalued in this draft because of that.

And while he's not the fastest linebacker in the draft, and maybe not the most athletic, he does a couple of things very well:

Find the ball.

Get into the backfield.

In fact, maybe his most impressive stat from 2010 was 20.5 tackles for loss.

And to be honest, they don't need speed at the other linebacker spot--they have Daryl Washington for that.

They need a ball hawk.

And that, my friends, is what Nate Irving is.

Round 6, Pick 171: Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Wide receiver Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball after a pass reception as a host of Oregon State Beavers close in during the fourth quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oreg

I believe this would be a steal if the Cardinals were able to get Maehl here.

And maybe it won't happen, but call it a wish (it's my mock draft!).

Maehl is one of those hard working guys that always seems to do better than people think (like, oh...Danny Woodhead?).

He'd be an asset on special teams, and would bolster a wide receiver corp that's a little weak at the back end.

Heck, he could even be the third or fourth receiver by the end of the year if Early Doucet does his thing...and by that I mean gets injured.

Round 6, Pick 184: Derek Hall, Stanford, OT

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal calls a play in the huddle as Derek Hall #53, David DeCastro #52, Chase Beeler #72, Andrew Phillips #71 and Jonathan Martin #55 listen to the call against the Virginia Tech Hokie

Don't think that just because I had the Cardinals take a guard earlier that the tackle position is okay.

It's not. Really.

Brandon Keith is just plain terrible.

And while Levi Brown is serviceable, the Cardinals could do with an upgrade.

Yes, Keith was a late draftee for the Cardinals a few years back, so I'm not saying they'll do it again.

But I wouldn't mind taking a chance on a guy from Stanford, who had one of the best rushing attacks in the nation last year.

Late-round choices are hit or miss, so why not?

Round 7, Pick 246: Shaun Chapas, FB, Georgia

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Shaun Chapas #49 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a touchdown reception against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Yeah, you try to guess who your team is going to take with one of the last picks in the NFL draft.

I figured that Arizona could use a backup fullback, and just randomly selected one of the not-so-higher-rated ones.

And yes, I don't have Arizona drafting a QB.

Just like they said they probably won't.

So sue me.

I probably won't get one of these right anyway.

But hey, it's always fun. Enjoy the draft everyone!