The Arizona Cardinals were supposed to be picking in the 30’s come next April’s draft. My, how times have changed.
After the Monday Night fiasco, the Arizona Cardinals are now picking in the top ten in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The order as of now courtesy of SB Nation:
Who has been taken with the ninth pick the last decade?
2016: Leonard Floyd, LB Chicago Bears
2015: Ereck Flowers, OT New York Giants
2014: Anthony Barr, LB Minnesota Vikings
2013: Dee Milliner, CB New York Jets
2012: Luke Kuechly, LB Carolina Panthers
Not a bad group and it looks like linebackers are a strong pick in this area.
2011: Tyron Smith, OT Dallas Cowboys
2010: C.J. Spiller, RB Buffalo Bills
2009: B.J. Raji, DT Green Bay Packers
2008: Keith Rivers, LB Cincinnati Bengals
2007: Ted Ginn Jr., WR Miami Dolphins
Another strong group, even if Ginn never lived up to the hype, he has been a consistent NFL producer for a decade, which is a good pick if it is not in the top ten (not saying consistent production is bad, but Ginn’s production was not top ten pick worthy).
The thing about the ninth pick is it gives you a lot of options. You are high enough to gamble on a player, you are close enough to make a bold move, or you are in a prime position to trade down and get a solid player.
Of course, hopefully they do not whiff on another Terrell Suggs type of player by trading down.