My Final Mock Draft Before the Real Draft

Cardinals trade down, bolster both the offense and defense

By Andy Kwong@akwong31 Apr 24, 2019, 1:00pm MDT

The Arizona Cardinals have one more day to decide what they plan to do with the no. 1 overall pick.

Will the Kyler Murray rumors become a reality? Will Josh Rosen be traded? Is Nick Bosa or Quinnen Williams the Cardinals’ main targets?

Here is my third Arizona Cardinals’ mock draft of the season:

Round 1 (4): Quinnen Williams - DT, Alabama

Projected Trade: Cardinals trade their no. 1 overall pick to the Raiders for their no. 4 overall, 27th, 106th, and a 2020 second-round pick

Born: December 21, 1997 (21 years old)

Measurement: 6-3 303 pounds

Analysis: Williams is the best defensive linemen in the 2019 draft class. He can do it all, from stopping to run and rushing the passer. Despite only one year of production, he played at an elite level in one of the best college conferences (SEC) in the country. His power, hand usage, and athleticism were at full display last season. There are really no flaws to his game. Even though the Cardinals signed Darius Philon and re-signed Rodney Gunter, neither are nearly as good of a prospect as Quinnen Williams. The Cardinals defense would get a whole lot better with him on board. The Cardinals had him as one of their official 30 prospect visits and Keim praised him at his pre-draft press conference.

Round 1 (27): N’Keal Harry - WR, Arizona State

Born: December 17, 1997 (21 years old)

Measurement: 6-2 228 pounds

Analysis: He’s not as explosive as people would like him to be but he is probably the most pro-ready wide receiver in his class. Before the combine, many people questioned his speed and athleticism. But he is proven all his doubters wrong by running an impressive 4.53 40-yard dash at the combine, benched 27 reps, and had a vertical jump of 38.5 inches. He has the ideal size for an outside wide receiver at 6-2 228 pounds. He’s made some incredible acrobatic catches and has very strong hands to come down with contested catches. Although creating separation is a big concern with him, he does have all the tools necessary to become a solid all-around franchise wide receiver. The Cardinals worked him out this past weekend and came away impressed.

Round 2 (33): Darnell Savage - DB, Maryland

Measurement: 5-11 198 pounds

Analysis: His cover skills are off the charts, along with his impressive speed. He’s arguably the top safety in this year’s draft class, with added versatility to play as a hybrid. The Cardinals are most definitely interested in Savage, as he was one of 30 players they invited for a visit. The Cardinals are in need of a slot cornerback, unless they really think Tramaine Brock, Josh Shaw, or Brandon Williams are answers to that vacancy. With chatters that he’s now considered a possible first-round selection, Savage here would be a steal.

Round 2 (63): Dawson Knox - TE, Ole Miss

Projected Trade: Cardinals move up two spots by trading their 65th, 248th, and 249th overall picks to the Kansas City Chiefs

Born: November 14, 1996 (22 years old)

Measurement: 6-4 254 pounds

Analysis: Besides T.J. Hockenson, the Cardinals are not going to find a better all-around tight end in the draft than Knox. He only had 284 receiving yards in 2018 but that’s because most of the targets were going to the receivers in A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and DeMarcus Lodge. But he had already demonstrated his ability to stretch the field despite limited targets, in addition to his best trait as a run blocker. He was one of the Cardinals’ official 30 visits.

NCAA Football: SEC Championship-Alabama vs Georgia

Round 4 (103): Lamont Gaillard - G/C, Georgia

Born: February 8, 1996 (23 years old)

Measurement: 6-3 305 pounds

Analysis: Gaillard played admirably the past three seasons at Georgia, most noticeably when he held his own against Alabama’s tough defensive line. He’s a bit undersized for his position but he played a big part in Georgia’s dynamic run offense the past three years. He was also a team captain, demonstrating his leadership to read the defense and to lead his offensive line. He has the mental toughness and the play strength to eventually become a starter one day. Whether or not that’s at center or guard with the Cardinals would be the big question if he gets drafted here. The Cardinals met with him at the East-West Shrine game.

Round 4 (106): Shareef Miller - Edge, Penn State (from Oakland)

Born: March 14, 1997 (22 years old)

Measurement: 6-4 254 pounds

Analysis: He kept improving every season at Penn State and that is something that every NFL team has noticed. He’s not a big name but he quietly had a really good 2018 season setting career-highs in tackles-for-loss (15) and sacks (7.5). He has enough speed (4.69 40) and has an ideal size to be a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Cardinals get a future starter right here to learn behind Terrell Suggs before taking over in a year or two.

NCAA Football: Alabama-Birmingham at Texas A&M

Round 5 (139): Daylon Mack - NT, Texas A&M

Born: February 23, 1997 (22 years old)

Measurement: 6-1 336 pounds

Analysis: The Cardinals could use more depth at the nose tackle position with Corey Peters (30) not getting any younger. He’s another one of Texas A&M’s top high school recruit that didn’t live up to the hype, just like Ricky Seals-Jones. He is coming off his best year statistically, setting a career-high in sacks (5.5) in his senior season. The Cardinals met with him at the East-West Shrine game.

Round 6 (174): Antoine Wesley - WR, Texas Tech

Born: October 22, 1997 (21 years old)

Measurement: 6-4 206 pounds

Analysis: Good football character and was highly productive at Texas Tech. The Cardinals will probably want someone that’s familiar with Kliff Kingsbury’s playbook and Wesley fits the bill. His speed is a concern but he has good ball skills. He makes up for his lack of speed by using his size as a mismatch against defensive backs.

Round 6 (179): Ugo Amadi - DB, Oregon

Born: May 16, 1997 (21 years old)

Measurement: 5-9 199 pounds

Analysis: He was Oregon’s best defensive back and was a team captain. He has the speed (4.51) and the strength (18 bench reps) but will have to be limited to slot/nickel duties due to his size. He was a physical punt returner in college and that added versatility would make the Cardinals’ special teams unit even more dynamic. He was one of the Cardinals’ official 30 visits.

Round 7 (254): Zack Bailey - OT, South Carolina

Born: November 8, 1995 (23 years old)

Measurement: 6-5 299 pounds

Analysis: He played center, left guard, and right tackle at South Carolina. We all know the Cardinals like swiss-army knives on the offensive line. Plus the Cardinals worked him out. This Mr. Irrelevant would be very relevant, considering the numerous injuries the Cardinals’ offensive line endures every season.