Imagining the Top of the Cardinals Draft Board

In my opinion, here is what the top of the Cardinals draft board is gong to look like come April 23rd:

1. Chase Young, DE, Ohio St.—-most explosive defender
2. Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson—-most versatile and multi-talented defender
3. Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio St.—-best press CB who would be a perfect system fit
4. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn—-most powerful interior defender
5. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma—-most dynamic receiver
6. Josh Jones, T, Houston—-most naturally gifted Air Raid suited LT
7. Tristan Wirfs, T, Iowa—-most versatile and powerful OL
8. K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU—-quickest, most athleltic edge player
9. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina—-most athletic 34DE prototype
10. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado—-most explosive RAC receiver

Here is what I believe could happen:

1. CIN—-Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. Best QB in the draft a given here.
2. WAS—-Chase Young, DE, Ohio St. No way Ron Rivera passes on Young.
3. MIA (from DET)—-Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama. The Dolphins have the picks to move up.
4. NYG—-Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson. if Cards are going to trade up for Simmons—-this is the spot. The Giants will likely get big offers from QB hungry teams. Cards won’t be able to match unless they get a 2nd rounder for Patrick Peterson and offer the Giants the #8, #40 and the 2nd rounder they would get for Peterson. Or if the Cardinals would be willing to give up their 1st round pick in the 2021 draft. But, the odds of this happening are very slim. i think the Giants will stay put and take Simmons because he is a unique talent.
5. DET—-Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio St. They get extra picks from Miami and still get their guy.
6. LAC—-Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon. They get their QBOF here.
7. CAR—-Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn. Matt Ruhl was so high on the importance of defensive tackles at Temple that he gave them single digit numbers.

The Cardinals’ pick?

If the Cardinals haven’t addressed the LT position in free agency, then I think they would take LT Josh Jones here.

If the Cardinals have addressed the LT position in free agency, then they can feel free to select WR CeeDee Lamb.

But, would and/or should the Cardinals move down?

No. Unless it is only 1 spot and the Jaguars assure the Cardinals that they are not taking CeeDee Lamb.

In light of the fact that the Cardinals will address a number of their needs in free agency with the $54M in cap space they currently have—-the Cardinals may not need more picks in this draft—-especially after having 11 picks on the roster from last year’s draft (including the 5th round pick in this year’s draft they gave in the supplemental draft for S Jalen Thompson) and with the idea that 10 or 11 of them figure to make the 2020 roster.

The Cardinals can stay put at #8, #40, #72 and #114 to fill out the roster with these four players—and use their 6th and 7th round picks to acquire developmental talent for the practice squad.

Of course—-a move that could change the whole draft board in terms of priority would be if the Cardinals sign a UFA WR like Amari Cooper or Robby Anderson to a multi-year deal.

That would make taking a WR in Round 1 out of the question—-

And could open a stronger possibility for Josh Jones, Tristan Wirfs or K’Lavon Chaisson.