It is mock draft Saturday, which means it is time to try another three-round simulation, something we will do weekly until compensatory picks are announced, after which we will do full seven-round simulations.
In this three-round simulation, the Arizona Cardinals make multiple trades. They trade back from the fourth overall pick and then trade back out of the first round when it is their turn with the 27th pick.
They make six picks in three rounds and pick up four picks in the 2025 draft.
Here’s how it goes down.
Trade down from No. 4 to No. 13
Raiders receive picks No. 4 and 105 (fourth round)
Cardinals receive picks No. 13 and 44 (second round), 2025 first-round and third-round picks
With Harrison off the board, the Cardinals look for value for the pick. The Raiders want quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Cardinals trade up to No. 9
Bears receive picks No. 13, 90 (third round)
Cardinals receive pick No. 9
Just as the Cardinals did last year, they traded back and then trade up to get the tackle they want.
Pick No. 9: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga
Fuaga stonewalled everyone at the Senior Bowl. He solves the Cardinals’ tackle problem with D.J. Humphries out with a torn ACL and pairs him with Paris Johnson to give them bookend tackles for the next five to 10 years.
Cardinals trade out of Round 1 from No. 27
Cardinals receive pick No. 43 (second round), 2025 second-round pick
Falcons receive pick No. 27
When the Cardinals are on the clock at No. 27, the players of value are all tackles. Having taken Fuaga and already set to pick again at No. 35, they pick up a 2025 second-round pick to move back.
Round 2 (No. 35 overall) Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter
Do the Cardinals need a cornerback? Yes. Are Georgia defenders good bets? Yes. Adding another son of a former Cardinals player? Yes again.
Round 2 (No. 43 overall) Missouri EDGE Darius Robinson
You can’t deny the Cardinals need pass-rushing help after logging a single sack in their final six games. Robinson is big at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds. He might kick inside to the interior as well. He had 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season and impressed at the Senior Bowl.
Round 2 (No. 44 overall): Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk
The Cardinals address the wide receiver position with Polk, who is 6-foot-2. He had 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns for Washington last season.
Trade back from 66 to 68
Patriots receive pick No. 66 (third round)
Cardinals receive picks No. 68 (third round) and No. 182 (sixth round), 2025 sixth-round pick
The Pats wanted to move up. The Cardinals pick up their fourth 2025 pick.
Round 3 (No. 68 overall): Michigan LB Junior Colson
Colson is athletic and impressive in coverage. He is 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds.
Round 3 (no. 71 overall) Florida State DL Braden Fiske
Fiske was unblockable at the Senior Bowl.
The Cardinals have added a tackle and receiver on offense and a corner, pass rusher, linebacker and defensive tackle in six picks.
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