NFL Mock Draft: Pac-12 Offensive Tackle Could Be Target For Arizona Cardinals

by Jess Root on Jan 4, 2012 7:00 AM MST in NFL Draft/Combine

It is really, really early, but mock drafts will abound. The 2012 NFL Draft isn't even until April and we o not yet even know who is declaring for the draft or not, but as fans we are insatiable. Obviously, things will change, but each week we will update you with possible targets that several mocks drafts are projecting. We can probably all agree that offensive tackle is the Cardinals' number one need, and most know that Andrew Luck will be taken number one overall.

However, while many fans are hoping for USC OT Matt Kalil, he goes long before the Cardinals pick. See what other tackle from the Pac-12 is a possible target, and also what other players some other projections have for the Cards.

SB Nation's weekly mock draft projections (you should definitely look over the whole thing) have Stanford's OT Jonathan Martin going number 13 to the Cardinals. Kalil goes number two overall to the Rams, which would be a good thing to do, considering Sam Bradford already has suffered injuries.

ESPN draft guy Todd McShay put out his first mock draft a little while ago. For the Cardinals, he sees them going in a different direction than offensive line. He projects Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

Offensive tackle is a bigger need, but there is a big drop-off in talent after the top three tackles on the board. Upshaw is a good fit for the Cardinals' system given his size, strength and ability to set the edge against the run, and his finishing power as a pass-rusher.

Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBS Sports differ. Rang says the Cards will take Martin, while Brugler projects their taking Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly.

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I hope Martin or Reiff lasts to 13

That would be the perfect pick. If not, I would not mind a great pass rusher. Or, maybe trade down and get more picks and snag late first round OT talent as someone else mentioned

by AZCards2011 on Jan 4, 2012 11:15 AM MST reply actions

Ill admit....

Although OT is really the biggest need, I really want us to take Kuechly or Burfict. We could always get a tackle in the 3rd or FA…

by cgcardzfan on Jan 4, 2012 2:10 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Another

guy I like at pick 13 is David DeCastro OG from Stanford but it may be a reach unless they think he is going to be an elite player. Most teams will look at Kalil, Martin, or Reiff before 13. Then after those three the talent drops off a bunch for an OT pick. The Cardinals probably won’t even take a OT in the draft again this year.

by kj197728 on Jan 4, 2012 4:28 PM MST up reply actions

If we took Kuechly or Burfict

Our ILB corp is set for the next 8 years

by cgcardzfan on Jan 4, 2012 2:11 PM MST via mobile reply actions

For all those saying Kuechly

Where would you play him? He’s listed at 6’2" and 237# as an ILB.

I’m not discrediting his talent, which is amazing, but where the Cards would use him? They run a 3 – 4 D. One ILB is a speedster (Daryl Washington listed at 6’2" and 234#.) The other ILB is a thumper which they didn’t feel they had in Paris Lenon (Who is also having a resurgence with the Cards the past two seasons) which is a reason they brought in Stewart Bradley (6’4" 258#) Do you replace D Wash with Kuechly? Do you draft the guy and pray he can put on 20 pounds? Do you move him to OLB, where he is too light to also play the position?

If you draft this guy, how do you use him in your scheme? With a middle like that in the NFC West with Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, and Marshawn Lynch it’ll get abused.

Just a guy, because I was born that way.

by cdeveau on Jan 4, 2012 2:23 PM MST reply actions

Teams have

already scouted Kuechly to be a 3-4 middle LB or a 4-3 right OLB. Most of the interest has been bringing him into a 3-4 set. The guy is amazing and has put up great numbers on a bad Boston College team. Bradley should be done from not playing or just because of the cap. He has not shown anything on a team as his injuries are keeping him off the field. I would bet next year would be no different if he stayed on the team.

by kj197728 on Jan 4, 2012 4:26 PM MST up reply actions

So two small inside linebackers to go up against Jackson, Gore and Lynch.

cdeveau makes a great point. He may be worthy of the pick but is he a fit with our defense considering we already have Washington? Doesn’t seem likely. Writing off Bradley so soon is jumping the gun.

by hadrarius on Jan 4, 2012 6:48 PM MST up reply actions

OT, OLB or WR at 13.

Pending free agency. As things stand now those are the 3 most pressing concerns. Safety would come in 4th to me. OT and WR we could aquire via free agency. Not so a pass rusher. Depending on whether or not they can keep Marshall and / or Johnson they may need to look at safety seriously.

by hadrarius on Jan 4, 2012 7:06 PM MST reply actions

Wow

You must be channeling me Hadrarius. I’ve written about the same thing in my articles dealing with this off season and draft. We can get and should get a WR and an OT in free agency. Pass rusher is my first pick in the 2012 mock I did.

Just a guy, because I was born that way.

by cdeveau on Jan 4, 2012 10:28 PM MST up reply actions