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As the slow waltz towards the 2019 NFL Draft began after the Super Bowl, the big networks are really diving into their mock drafts at this point.
When you look at the Arizona Cardinals, the first pick seems to be pretty much a pick of three players, with most sites opting for the player they see as the best in the draft, Nick Bosa.
Pro Football Focus is no exception, as Senior Analyst Mike Renner dropped his second mock draft of the season.
It was not necessarily the pick, but his conviction and reasoning that caught my eye:
1. ARIZONA CARDINALS – NICK BOSA, EDGE, OHIO STATE
Passing on the top player in the draft because of ‘scheme fit’ would be absurd. Bosa’s proficiency rushing the passer fits into every scheme in the NFL. He had a higher pass-rushing win rate as a true freshman than a handful of the other edges in this mock had this past season.
That’s really the issue at hand for some. Bosa has played primarily as a 4-3 defensive end. And while the Cardinals have had success with those guys transitioning from the position previously, Chandler Jones and Markus Golden, there seems to be some push back.
Renner’s top ten:
- Bosa
- 49ers - Quinnen Williams
- Broncos - Dwayne Haskins via Jets
- Raiders - Josh Allen
- Buccaneers - Clelin Ferrell
- Giants - Drew Lock
- Jaguars - D.K. Metcalf
- Lions - Rashan Gary
- Redskins - Kyler Murray via Bills
- Jets - Jawaan Taylor
Other interesting picks:
13. Dophins - Daniel Jones
19. Titans - Marquise Brown
22. Ravens - Dalton Risner
23. Texans - Andre Dillard