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With the 2018 NFL Draft three short weeks away, we’ll be getting more mocks, more misinformation and more real information that we take as misinformation because we have no idea what is real and fake.
What we do know is the Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay did their dueling 2018 NFL Mock Draft and you may be a bit surprised at the picks.
Kiper: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
This is a change from my last 1-32 projection, when I went with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Now I’m going with his former teammate, who fills a big hole on the other side of Patrick Peterson.
McShay: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Arizona needs a QB, but in this scenario the Cardinals can’t get any of the top four guys. Alexander is a fast riser, according to people in the league, and could immediately compete for the No. 2 CB spot.
Alexander is a really interesting pick because... I have never seen a Wilks secondary with a first round cornerback. That’s not to say if Wilks had a larger voice like he does now he wouldn’t make this pick, it is just not something we have seen from a Wilks defense before.
Alexander is a little smaller than the Carolina cornerbacks as well, but he plays with a toughness and anger that will endear him to Wilks and company.
The second pick is even more interesting because there is a difference.
47. Arizona Cardinals
Kiper: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Kirk is a dynamic playmaker who could play in the slot, and he’s a stellar return man.
McShay: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Sam Bradford can’t be trusted to stay healthy and Arizona needs to take a shot on a QB early in this draft. The value proposition fits here.
McShay has the Cardinals taking Mason Rudolph, although many don’t see Rudolph falling this far, meanwhile Kiper has the Cardinals taking valley product and Randall Cobb clone Christian Kirk.
The quarterbacks come off the board at these picks for Kiper:
Allen - 1 (Browns)
Darnold - 2 (Giants)
Rosen - 3 (Jets)
Mayfield - 5 (Broncos)
Lamar - 22 (Bills)
Rudolph - 63 (Patriots)
McShay:
Darnold - 1 (Browns)
Allen - 2 (Bills trade up)
Rosen - 3 (Jets)
Mayfield - 6 - Dolphins trade up
Lamar - 29 (Jaguars)
Rudolph - 47 (Cardinals)
We can discuss other picks in the draft in the comments, but what do you think?