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Free agency begins Tuesday, but that doesn't mean we should neglect the NFL Draft. SB Nation's Dan Kadar, together with Matthew Fairburn, put together a new mock draft and this one looks a little different for the Arizona Cardinals. Jameis Winston still goes number one overalll and Marcus Mariota doesn't make it past the New York Jets.
But what about the Arizona Cardinals?
In this mock, they don't go with an offensive lineman, an inside linebacker, a pass rusher or a running back. They bolster the defensive line with someone who could be an impact player, taking Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead (although maybe the Eagles find some way to draft him).
The Cardinals probably got used to not having Darnell Dockett in the lineup, but they still need talent up front on defense. Armstead is a picture perfect replacement as a player with experience in a three-man front.
It wouldn't be a bad idea. They have an able line led by Calais Campbell, but after that there is Frostee Rucker and a bunch of guys with not too many games under their belt and none of them were high end draft talent. The reported addition of Corey Peters will help, but Armstead is a wrecking ball. At 6-8, 290, he could be another Calais Campbell and less raw than Kareem Martin, whom they drafted in the third round last year. Imagine it -- the Cardinals could send out a line that has a pair of 6-8 guys and they could add Martin shifting over to the edge at 6-6. The number of batted or affected passes would be incredible.
People talk so much about drafting the best player available. Would this not be a classic BPA pick? How would you feel about a potential starting lineup with Armstead, Corey Peters in the middle and Calais Campbell on the right side?