The Cardinals’ “AR” Draft Code

In a never-ending pursuit of a cosmic “DaVinci Code” connection when it comes to predicting the ultimate Cardinals’ haul in the NFL Draft, I performed an unusual experiment. Clad in my Arizona Cardinals t-shirt, red shorts and white Cardinals’ hat, I printed out the list of the 2018 top 300 draft prospects and laid the pages out on the kitchen table.

I then---turned out the lights.

In the deep avalanche of darkness I brandished a black light, flicked it on and waved it over the 300 names. And you will never guess what I discovered. The vast majority of the names remained dark, except---a select few names were illuminated where the black light produced a bright red glow wherever the letters AR appeared consecutively.

And there it was---could I have cracked the code?

Then it occurred to me---this secret code had been right under my nose the whole time, I mean, after all, is it merely a bizarre coincidence that the AR Code relates to the greatest QB/WR combination in Arizona Cardinals’ team history: Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald?

So then I printed out the names of the picks in last year’s NFL Draft, and waved the black light and voila! Here were the AR picks that were available to the Cardinals at each of their allotted selections:

13. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama (started 14 games---had 26/432/16.6/6 TDs for Bucs)

45. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee (earned Pro Bowl berth for Saints—90.2 PFF #2 HB---120/728/6.1/8 TD rushing; 81/826/10.2/5 TD receiving)

77. Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn (led all rookies with 8.5 sacks for Bengals)

118. David Sharpe, T, Florida (impressed with late season starts for Raiders)

153. Marquel Lee, LB, Wake Forest (started 5 games for Raiders)

180. Tanzel Smart, DT, Tulane (became vital part of Rams’ DL rotation)

231. Harvey Langi, LB/FB, BYU (STs stud for Patriots).

Thus, here is an early peek at this year’s AR picks:

Cardinals make one trade: they trade the #47 pick to the Chiefs for #54 and #78.

15. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville. Big-time baller who teams cannot adequately prepare for in practice.

54. D.J. Chark, WR, LSU. Tall, speedy (4.3) playmaker who dazzled at the Senior Bowl.

78. Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford. High motor splash play baller who lacks ideal size, but uses his power and quickness to his utmost advantage.

79. Tarvarius Moore, S, Southern Mississippi. Former JUCO stud, who ran 4.32 at his pro day. Good size, highly versatile.

97. Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina St. Showed speed, elite range and fundamental tackling ability at the Senior Bowl.

134. Ade Aruna, DE, Tulane. Nigerian edge rusher who has good length and speed (4.6), but needs to improve strength and technique.

152. Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama. Superb physical talent hampered by injuries and being a rotational RB at Bama.

182. Charvarius Ward, CB, Middle Tennessee. Good sized (6-1, 195) sleeper CB who runs a 4.4.

254. Timon Parris, T/G, Stony Brook. Would likely be a higher pick but this small school standout broke his leg last season and could not fulfill his Senior Bowl invitation. Has good size and athleticism at 6-5, 310.

The Arizona Cardinals’AR Draft Code. Shhh. Keep this quiet. Don’t tell Pete Carroll.