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With Super Bowl LIII now in the rearview mirror, we can begin to focus on the real part of the NFL season… the 2019 offseason.
Oh sure, that’s 100% sour grapes that the Cardinals sucked this year, but that suck landed them with the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, a chance to get an game changer or two and reinvent this stangnated Cardinals roster.
Changing that fortune may just take one offseason, it may take two or three, but this is the offseason to begin the rebuild in earnest.
Matt Miller, Lead NFL Draft writer for Bleacher Report dropped his first 7-Round Mock Draft of the 2019 NFL Draft cycle.
Here’s how he fixes the Arizona Cardinals.
(Note: Each prospect that has something written about him I have added in under the pick from various websites)
Matt Millers 7 Round Mock Draft:
1.01 - Nick Bosa, Edge, Ohio State
For now, the Arizona Cardinals are predicted to do the smart thing and select the best player in the 2019 draft class with the No. 1 overall pick. There are still three months remaining for them to mess this up, though.
Nick Bosa isn’t a generational talent—that phrase needs to be retired—but he’s a blue-chip prospect at the most important position in the NFL outside of quarterback. If the Cardinals are set on Josh Rosen as the future of the team, then Bosa is a no-brainer selection.
Bosa’s talent is unquestioned as a true edge-rusher. As long as he’s recovered from a sports hernia injury that ended his 2018 season in September, he will be a wire-to-wire No. 1 overall prospect on my board.
2.01 - Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Kyle Crabbs: Noah Fant has the physical skills and receiving chops to be the next big thing at the TE position in the NFL. The league has never been friendlier to flex targets and Fant runs like a receiver and leaps like a basketball pro.
3.01 - Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo
Jeff Risdon: Johnson is similar to Marvin Jones, but his stronger YAC potential and ability to more quickly separate on shorter routes make him a good candidate as a big slot option for the Lions. He’s a useful middle-round talent with no real holes to his game and appears ready to be a solid No. 3-4 option of a diverse passing attack.
4.01 - Micheal Deiter, OG, Wisconsin
Crabbs: Michael Deiter is a scheme diverse prospect who will bring a diverse set of tools to whichever NFL franchise drafts him. Deiter has excellent mobility and his play in space allows him to be a lead blocker on boundary plays and screens.
5.01 - Anthony Nelson, DL, Iowa
Quick aside... There is a reason he’s not listed as an edge, but instead a DL...
Ledyard: Even if Nelson never becomes a double-digit sack artist, which I don’t expect him to, he’s a valuable and safe mid-round addition who can bring impressive run defense, interior nickel rush ability and high character to an organization.
6.01 - Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
Tony Pauline: Another quick, explosive blocker who moves well on his feet. Strong at the point, he’s a solid position blocker who seals opponents from the action while also anchoring in pass protection. McGary is susceptible to inside moves, so a switch of positions to offensive guard is possible.
6.05 - Penny Hart, WR, Georgia State
From PCR: Penny is a very shifty explosive Julian Edelman type of receiver who can play bigger than his frame. Last season Penny Hart caught 74 receptions for 1,121 yards and 8 touchdowns for Georgia St. One thing that stands out about Penny Hart is his rac ability, he can definitely make something out of nothing.
What do you think of the Arizona Cardinals 7-round haul from Matt Miller?