The agreed trade to send quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos changes up the first round of the NFL draft. The Seahawks, who previously did not have a first-round selection, suddenly entered the top 10.
How does that change things up in the first round of the draft?
Mark Schofield has a new mock draft of the first round for Touchdown Wire reflecting the changes after the Wilson trade.
For the Cardinals, who own the 23rd pick in the first round, they land a pass rusher. They land Michigan edge defender David Ojabo.
Might the Arizona Cardinals address the defense for the third-straight year in the first round? Two years ago it was Isaiah Simmons, and last season the Cardinals added Zaven Collins at linebacker. With Chandler Jones facing free agency, adding a pass rusher could be a need. David Ojabo has the explosiveness and athleticism to be a force off the edge, and with some refinement to his pass-rushing plan, he could be the perfect replacement for Jones if the veteran pass rusher finds himself a new home during the offseason.
The Cardinals will have addressed the pass rush in free agency. They have not taken an edge rusher since Calvin Pace in 2003. No matter what they do in free agency, Markus Golden will be 31 years old this season and will be a free agent in 2023.
Ojabo can get rotational snaps in 2022 and hopefully be ready to be a full-time starter in Year 2.
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