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Unless you're from Mesa High, South Dakota State or Elmer Fudd, it's not rabbit (or in Elmer's case - wabbit) season, it's duck season. As in this week's NFL draft. The Pac 12 team that finished 12-1 and ranked #2 in the country last season has several prospects that are expected to be taken in Thursday's meat market. And they all COULD be Arizona Cardinal selections.
For example, DE/OLB Dion Jordan is expected to be a top ten pick and has been bandied about for the team's seventh slot. Is that a position of need and is Jordan on top of their best player available board? Most logical thoughts would think so. (Though I would stick him more as a 3-4 defensive end than an OLB.)
How about Howie's kid and Chris Long's younger brother, Kyle at offensive guard with 38? Another player that would seem to fit both qualifications and is quickly rising among the pundits. Originally a tackle but projected to be a guard. Either way, offensive line will probably be addressed in this draft.
You need an ILB/ OLB to replace/upgrade Paris Lenon and the Acho/ Schofeld combo? Well, step this way to Oregon's Kiko Alonso. More of a traditional LB than Jordan, he can play either Mike or Sam positions and is expected to be a third round guy. Could he be Arizona's 69th selection?
Cardinals need a safety after the releases of starters Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes. Despite the re-signing of Rashad Johnson and FA signing of the guy with the wheelchair and cane, Yeremiah Bell - to me - this is a critical spot of update. And it just so happens that Chip Kelly, now of the Philadelphia Eagles, coached up FS John Boyett who had 108 tackles (3.5 for loss), seven passes broken up and an INT in 2011. Probably a reach in the fourth with him having knee surgery last season, but the club did take O' Brien Schofeld in same round with similar circumstances.
The Oregon Ducks also have a RB that is garnering attention if you need one and with the injuries suffered by the Cardinals two current starters, Ryan Williams and Rashard Mendenhall - Kenjon Barner could make sense in the fifth. A smallish-juker in the former teammate LaMichael James mode - could provide depth if the R& R Railroad falls off the tracks. Safe pick for round five.
Since the OL is a glare that is only brighter than Bruce Arians without his Kangol - in the sixth round the Arizona Cardinals draft Long's fellow trenchman, G Carson York to compete against Adam Snyder and Daryn Colledge. 6-5 290, probably not - be he fits the angle I'm going for - so he's the guy.
And with the seventh round option, the team might get a kick out of the Duck's punter, Jackson Rice. Finalist for Ray Guy award, good size at 6-3 215 and can pull off fakes better than a Jay Feely. Dave Zastudil isn't going to last forever.
So, seven bridesmaids for seven brothers, if you will.
And if it happens, hopefully the team will change its name to a bird that more indigenous to Arizona - the Ducks.