It is full-on mock draft season and, after a week of free agency, things sometimes change for NFL teams in their draft approach and with projections.
The Cardinals haven’t done much in free agency, so not much will change in what they need.
Draft Wire managing editor Jeff Risdon has a new three-round mock draft and the Arizona Cardinals go heavy on defense with their four picks in the first three rounds. The first pick is a bit of a surprise.
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Round 1: Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson
In these projections, the Cardinals do not trade down and pass up on what many consider a sure-thing pick in Alabama’s Will Anderson. Instead, they go with Wilson, who has better size and length than Anderson and whose testing numbers likely exceed those of Anderson.
There are some who believe he could go before Anderson. He would be a more natural fit at defensive end but his floor is lower than Anderson’s.
Round 2: Utah CB Clark Phillips
Phillips is undersized at 5-foot-9 and weighs in at 184 pounds but he had six interceptions last season and broke up 13 passes in 2021. He returned four of his nine career interceptions for touchdowns.
Round 3: Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims
Mims is 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 183 pounds but can fly. He ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds at the combine. He caught 54 passes for 1,083 yards and six touchdowns, averaging more than 20 yards per catch.
Round 3: Texas A&M CB Jaylon Jones
Jones gives the Cardinals another cornerback in this draft. He has length at 6-foot-2, 200 lbs.