Mel Kiper mocks Jarrad Davis to Arizona Cardinals in newest mock draft

The Arizona Cardinals need an inside linebacker right now, 70 days before the 2017 NFL Draft.

Yet, when Mel Kiper unveiled his second mock draft of the season and in it, has the Arizona Cardinals addressing the position:

13. Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

The Cardinals have patched it together at linebacker for the last couple of years, and I think Davis or Foster here makes a lot of sense. It gives them some flexibility with Deone Bucannon, and another explosive athlete on the defensive side of the ball. Davis can play right away.

Sometimes I have to remind myself of my own rule... Ignore the prospect, just focus on the position that is being addressed.

It makes sense. The Arizona Cardinals have no one at the position outside of Bucannon. Obviously after free agency that should be different.

Now, to the player.

Davis is a lot like Deion Jones was last year, he flies around the ball, he is a modern NFL linebacker and will be one of the players you can build your defense around moving forward.

However... Davis is injured... A lot.

He is too injured to participate at the NFL Combine, he has missed games every year except his junior year and is a guy who has been on and off the field a lot.

Is he a good player? Yes, if you can get him on day two, where you are mitigating the injury risk.

On day one, I am left wanting more.

I understand the pick, I just don’t know if Davis’ injury history lets me on board.

*Note: I think Davis is a really good player on the field. Availability is the most important attribute of any prospect though.

Picks 1-12:

Browns: Myles Garrett
49ers: Mitch Trubisky
Bears: Jonathan Allen
Jaguars: Jamal Adams
Titans: Marshon Lattimore
Jets: Leonard Fournette
Chargers: Malik Hooker
Panthers: Taco Charlton
Bengals: Reuben Foster
Bills: Deshaun Watson
Saints: Solomon Thomas
Browns: Tre’Davious White