As we go through the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, we are going to see all sorts of mock drafts. Some will stay steady and some will vary greatly. This week, the Cardinals are projected to go with offensive line help, but not at the tackle position, while a possible target for the tackle position goes before the Cardinals even select.
Who are the expected picks?
Our own staff mock draft projects offensive guard David DeCastro.
The Cardinals finally go back to fixing their offensive line with a first round pick since Levi Brown was selected fifth overall in 2007. DeCastro is a terrific offensive guard prospect, excelling in both pass protection and run blocking. He should be a starter on day one and makes our interior line much stonger in his likely replacement of Rex Hadnot as the starting right guard.
The SB Nation NFL mock draft also has the Cards going with DeCastro.
Arizona's expensive new quarterback, Kevin Kolb, was nearly ground into dust playing behind a faulty offensive line. They need tackles as well as interior linemen. DeCastro is the best lineman on the board at this point in the draft. He might be the best interior line prospect since Steve Hutchinson. The Stanford product will instantly upgrade the unit.
Along with these projections, CBS Sports in one mock also has DeCastro. The other (Rob Rang) has the Cards going with Baylor WR Kendall Wright.
Obviously, as commenters have noticed, DeCastro would be a very boring pick and it really does not meet the more pressing need at tackle. However, based on everything that has been said thus far about him, his talent in undeniable. And if a guy like Mike Adams is off the board (he goes number 12 in the SB Nation mock), then there is a dearth of tackle prospects at that point in the draft.
Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and "like" us on Facebook. You can follow me individually at @senorjessroot.