The NFL draft is just a week away and we have a new three-round mock draft from Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy.
While most believe the Arizona Cardinals will ultimately trade the third overall pick in the draft, these projections do not have that happening.
Instead, in four picks in the first three rounds, they are projected to take three defensive players.
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Round 1: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson
If the Cardinals do not trade back and if the Texans go quarterback (they should even if the odds don’t say they will), Anderson is the perfect player. He had elite production, is a fierce competitor and fills a critical need.
Round 2: TCU OL Steve Avila
Getting Avila in the second round feels like a win. He can play guard and center and could potentially start as a rookie.
Round 3: Kansas State CB Julius Brents
Brents is almost 6-foot-3 and weighs 198 pounds. He ran the 40 in 4.53 seconds, which is fine. But his three-cone (6.60 seconds) was elite. He had four interceptions last season.
Round 3: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy
Here the Cardinals get size in the middle. He isn’t overly athletic but can occupy blockers.
