Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said Day 3 of the NFL Draft was going to be "wow" with trades. The Cardinals jumped in the game, trading up to the 116th overall pick with the Cleveland Browns. With the pick, Arizona selected Delaware State defensive end Rodney Gunter.
The Cardinals gave up their fourth round pick, their sixth round pick and their first seventh round selection to move up and get Gunter.
Gunter is a 6-5, 305-pound defensive lineman, according to the Delaware State website, but his NFL Draft profiles have him at 6-4, 298.
According to Draft Diamonds, he ran a 4.78 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He was the first player selected in this year's draft who was not invited to the NFL Combine.
Gunter was clearly a player the Cardinals wanted. They gave up three picks to get him and according to Matt Maiocco, Arizona moved up to keep take him before the 49ers did.
Gunter was SportsNetwork Preseason FCS All-America Second Team and Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection in 2014.
In 2014, he was fourth on his team with 57 tackles. He had 13 tackles for losses, seven sacks and three quarterback hits.
In an interview with Draft Diamonds, he compared himself to J.J.. Watt.
"We possess the same versatility to some extent," he said. "Also I have the potential to be great as him one day."
He reiterated that in his conference call with local media. "I potentially could be the next JJ Watt," he said.
Seth Cox says Gunter is "an athletic freak," a guy who hasn't played much football.