2012 NFL Mock Draft: Arizona Cardinals Going Everywhere But With OL

by Jess Root on Jan 18, 2012 5:01 AM MST in NFL Draft/Combine

The 2012 NFL Draft is still over three months away, but mock draft projections already are making big changes from week to week. It is well known that the Cardinals need help at offensive tackle, as Levi Brown has underwhelmed for several seasons and only has Jeremy Bridges under contract at the position with any game experience other Brown, who will be cut at some point unless his contract is restructured. As a result, most fans and media believe that it will be a focus in the draft, or at least that it should be. However, in the first round, the best prospects may well be gone.

In our ROTB projections, Stanford's Jonathan Martin, OL, will be the selection. However, according to other mock drafts, Martin is either off the board or not on Arizona's radar.

SB Nation's projections stay consistent with a week ago, in that Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly will be the Cardinals' pick. The reason?

Arizona has bits and pieces here and there on their defensive roster. What they lack is a linchpin inside linebacker. Stewart Bradley was not that guy; Kuechly is. In a year or two, he could rival Patrick Willis and James Laurinaitis for the best inside linebacker in the NFC West.

That would be something -- rivaling Willis? Strong words.

In that mock, Martin falls all the way to the Detroit Lions.

In the two mock drafts for CBS Sports, the Cardinals don't get a chance to look at Martin, and they pass of Kuechly.

In one projection, they take Baylor wideout Kendall Wright. In the other, they select South Carolina OLB Melvin Ingram.

Obviously each of these projections would fill a need on the team. If given a choice between the four, which player would be the best fit and make the biggest impact now and in the future?

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Poll

Which pick would you prefer out of those projected for the Cardinals?

Jonathan Martin

184 votes

Luke Kuechly

102 votes

Kendall Wright

30 votes

Melvin ingram

20 votes

336 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Sorry for me if there is no stud lineman in draft the Butkas winner is it. Remember last years butkas winner? Von miller? I have heard that next year’s draft will have an number of line man to pick from so lets get a stop gap from free agency or trade

by naironpalm3 on Jan 18, 2012 8:29 AM MST reply actions

BPA would say Martin out of those 4.

It also fills a major need for tackle for us.

by Pyromnc on Jan 18, 2012 9:16 AM MST reply actions

I think Kuechly is BPA

Martin is the 3rd or 4th best tackle in the draft (depends on how you view Mike Adams). Kendall Wright shouldn’t even be mentioned this high in the draft. Melvin Ingram doesn’t fit our scheme, need, or BPA.

by cardinalbrown on Jan 18, 2012 12:19 PM MST up reply actions

True but...

OL are generally considered more valuable than an ILB in draft and that’s why you see so many drafts having Martin going in top 10 and Kuelchly more in the middle of the first round.

Scouts inc does have them pretty close in their rankings as well. Martin is ranked 10th and Kuelchly is ranked 13th.

by Pyromnc on Jan 19, 2012 9:22 AM MST up reply actions

Our OL has been so awful I wish that someone like Jonathon Martin or Riley Reiff would fall to us, or maybe we could trade up a couple spots and get a serious upgrade at OT.

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 18, 2012 9:43 AM MST reply actions

I was opposed to Kuechly because of our need at tackle

But after watching some highlights I think he would be a great player to pick up.

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 18, 2012 10:08 AM MST reply actions

Kuechly

needs to add a bit of weight but he will be a force for years in the NFL. I would take him over Martin any day if he is still available to pick.

by kj197728 on Jan 18, 2012 3:20 PM MST up reply actions

I am

actually starting to think they will not pick at 13 and another team will trade a spot to the Cardinals from the 20s and give up to their second round pick. The team almost needs that second round pick to add some players. If the team stays healthy and they improve the offensive line they have a great shot to win more next year.

1. Grab at least two guys at OG and OT. Prefer to get two OTs that can play.
2. A new ILB to pair up with Washington.
3. Another WR that can make more plays across from Fitzgerald.
4. A new S to learn the system because the depth was horrible and Wilson’s age and injury showed this year.
5. Another NT or DE for depth.
6. Another CB for depth.

by kj197728 on Jan 18, 2012 3:18 PM MST reply actions

No pass rusher?

You really think Acho and Schofield are all that is needed there?

by hadrarius on Jan 18, 2012 6:44 PM MST up reply actions

I love a good mock

but so much is going to change between now and the all-star games and the combine and the inevitable smoke screen that what we’re talking about today is going to seem odd in a few months.
All it takes is one bad step or a series of bad interviews and a player’s stock can plummet.

by superpsck on Jan 18, 2012 3:31 PM MST reply actions