/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63664983/1079803832.jpg.0.jpg)
Here we are on the eve of the 2019 NFL Draft, after months of mocks, analyses and speculations.
Having the #1 pick in Rounds 1-6, plus 4 added picks in Rounds 6-7, the Arizona Cardinals are in a position to ace this draft.
The Cardinals would like to drink whatever the Colts were drinking last year, as you can see by taking a close gander at the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Teams (per NFL.com and PFF):
With draft pick #s:
QB Baker Mayfield, CLE (#1)
RB Saquon Barkley, NYG (#3)
RB Phillip Lindsay, DEN, UCFA
TE Dallas Goedert, PHI, (#49)
TE Mark Andrews, BAL, (#86)
WR D.J. Moore, CAR, (#24)
WR Calvin Ridley, ATL (#26)
WR (flex) Robert Foster, BUF, UCFA
T Braden Smith, IND, (#37)
T Mike McGlinchey, SF (#9)
G Quenton Nelson, IND, (#6)
G Frank Ragnow, DET (#20)
G James Daniels, CHI (#39)
G Will Hernandez, NYG (#34)
C Mason Cole, ARI, (#97)
C Billy Price, CIN, (#21)
KR Tremon Smith, KC, (#146)
K Jason Sanders, MIA (#229)
P Michael Dickson, SEA (#149)
DT Da’Ron Payne, WAS, (#13)
DT B.J. Hill, NYG (#69)
DT Da’Shawn Hand, DET (#114)
DT Vita Vea, TB (#12)
DE Bradley Chubb, DEN (#5)
DE Marcus Davenport, NO (#14)
LB Leighton Vander Esch, DAL (#19)
LB Roquan Smith, CHI (#8)
LB Darius Leonard, IND (#36)
CB Denzel Ward, CLE (#4)
CB Jaire Alexander, GB (#18)
CB (flex) Justin Reid, HOU (#68)
S Derwin James, SD (#17)
S Jeremy Bates, CIN (#54)
ST Zeke Turner, ARI, UCFA
1st Rounders---17
2nd Rounders---6
3rd Rounders---4
4th Rounders---1
5th Rounders---1
6th Rounders---1
7th Rounders---1
UCFAs---3
Picks 1-10---7
Picks 11-32---10
Picks: 33-40---4
Picks 41-64---2
Picks 65-70---2
Picks 71-97--2
The Colts’ 1st 3 Picks:
#6---G Quenton Nelson (16 starts) All-Pro
#36---LB Darius Leonard (15 starts) All-Pro, Defensive Rookie of the Year
#37---T Braden Smith (13 starts)
Total Offense: 386.2 (7th)
Total Defense: 339.4 (11th)
2017 Record: 4-12
2018 Record: 10-6
Post-Season Record: 1-1 (win @ HOU, loss @ KC)
Started the season 1-5 under new HC Frank Reich and then won 9 of their last 10 games.
Look at the hot spots of last year’s draft---and if this year suggest the same, the numbers play right into the Cardinals’ wheelhouse:
7 of the top 10 picks---top QB at #1---Cardinals pick at #1
4 of the first 5 picks in Round 2 (#33-39)---Cardinals pick at #33
2 of the first 5 picks in Round 3 (#65-69)---Cardinals pick at #65
Plus---having the 1st pick in Round 4 at #103
Man, this is exciting for the Cardinals and our fans, isn’t it?