Steve Keim and the Arizona Cardinals have been heroes and villains within the span of the last 48 hours. From the controversial Kyler Murray pick and dealing Josh Rosen to bringing in a hometown kid, a speedster and a pass rusher, they’ve had fans along for quite a ride.
With the dark cloud of Rosen and Kyler gone from the team, let’s settle in and take a look at three players & positions the Arizona Cardinals might look to in Rounds 4-7 this morning.
Defense:
- Deionte Thompson, Safety, Alabama
A safety? Well, the Cardinals might not see much more of D.J. Swearinger given the one year left on his deal and Thompson, while he has had some health questions, might be a true center-fielder with speed. The multiple DB’s that will be used by Vance Joseph make him an intriguing option.
- Blake Cashman, Linebacker, Minnesota
A productive linebacker who tore up the combine and leaped sky-high up the draft boards, Cashman was the leader of Minnesota’s defense. He’s the size that Vance Joseph needs and is a smart and explosive athlete, giving the team a much needed potential back-up plan if Hasson Reddick doesn’t work out.
Heck, it’s possible that he starts over Hasson Reddick. Good player.
- Kendall Sheffield, Ohio State
A later round option, Sheffield had a bit of an interesting journey, transferring from Alabama to Junior College and then to Ohio State where he was a 2 year starter. His physical measurables and speed for recovery are top notch and he’s great when aware at defending passes but has struggled locating passes and playing with his back to the ball, making him a developmental option who can help on special teams. If the team takes a shot on him, he could replace Brandon Williams in that role.
Offense:
- Dru Samia, Guard, Oklahoma
Samia is the highest rated of the two guards who blocked for Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield and he’d fit in very nicely in the Kingsbury offense at either right or left guard as a guy who’s athletic enough to be a starter in the league and is well used to blocking for Kyler when he buys time in the pocket.
OL is critical for this team.
- Antoine Wesley, WR, Texas Tech
This name popped out to some when seeing that college. On the outside, Wesley is a bit thin but went off for 1300 yards in his single year starting and despite lack of speed and needing more nuanced route running, as a big-play physical catch weapon at his 6’5 size he could plug right into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, again. He might not even need to change out his playbook.
- Marquez Tucker, OT, Southern Utah
A late name that’s been connected for a developmental tackle for the Cardinals, and they did spend some time visiting him, making him a possible option on the outside at right or left tackle behind Marcus Gilbert for depth or to get a shot on the interior potentially.
- Foster Moreau, TE, LSU
Moreau didn’t get a good chance to do much given LSU never likes having good quarterback play but his blocking and ability to catch the ball downfield and up the seam could stick out for Kliff Kingsbury, who might need a true receiving tight end to adapt his college offense to a pro-style one.
- Hakeem Butler, Wide Receiver, Iowa State
Butler’s a conundrum to many. His drop rate and routes are below most NFL players but his athleticism for his size, catch radius and highlight-reel plays are incredible, and he averaged over 20 yards a catch in college.
Considering that the Cardinals don’t have a big, outside wide receiver and that Kliff Kingsbury likes the deep shot...perhaps they take a chance on him. If the Cardinals are using PFF’s board (like many seem to think given their picks) he’s a possibility to open the 4th round and might be a fan favorite if selected.