ESPN's Mel Kiper has released his "Grade A" mock draft, the one in which he is not projecting selections, but rather he is acting as GM adn making picks he fells are the best for the teams.
What does he do for the Cardinals? He picks a guy we saw for a while projected to land in the desert.
In Round 1, he takes Georgia edge defender Leonard Floyd, while he takes Michigan center Graham Glasgow in Round 3.
This draft is off to a good start already thanks to the addition of Chandler Jones, who represents that second-round pick that was shipped to New England. While safety is a clear need, with Vonn Bell off the board it makes sense to grab Floyd, who provides needed pass-rushing ability. There aren't gaping holes, but I don't need to reach for a needed center in Round 1 at the cost of passing on a high-upside pass-rusher like Floyd, and I'm able to grab Glasgow in Round 3.
Well, it isn't a bad thing to get a pass rusher in Round 1. Alex Okafor is gone after this season and after Jones and Markus Golden, there is little in any sort of production. Is Floyd the guy to do it? He is athletic, but he isn't as big as the Cardinals like at outside linebacker. They prefer 260 pounds and bigger. Floyd also isn't particularly strong.
Glasgow would fill a need, but there is a concern about his size. He is very, very tall for a center, although he did make great strides playing under Jim Harbaugh.
There are guys to consider in place of Floyd. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is on the board. So is Cody Whitehair. Are they better than Floyd, who some wonder if he will be the next Dion Jordan? Who knows?
Would you give Kiper's "Grade A" mock an A?