When the Roger Wehrli announced that the Arizona Cardinals had drafted cornerback Jamell Fleming with their third round selection in the NFL Draft on Friday, there was an air of disbelief because I think the entire world was expecting the Cardinals to draft an offensive lineman.
The strangest thing about it is that an offensive tackle described as a "plug-and-play right tackle" had fallen into their lap in Bobby Massie. In Mel Kiper's last mock draft, he was projected to be drafted in the first round.
Instead, the Cards went with Fleming. Here is what the team had to say about the movie.
Ken Whisenhunt:
"In the Big 12, they spread you out and he did a nice job in some of those games when he was forced into that role. With today's NFL, you know you are going to see multiple-receiver sets, and you can't have enough of these kinds of guys."
GM Rod Graves:
"We're looking for an opportunity to address the offensive line, but you don't want to do it at the expense of other players who bring more to your football team," said GM Rod Graves. "We feel like Jamell certainly has the potential to do that. If we can address that offensive line at some point where it makes sense, we will do it. But the draft is not our only opportunity here. And we will have opportunities right up until training camp to address the offensive line.
"But I think the wiser thign to do is make sure you are getting the value for the pick."
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.