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USA Today Sports Media Group
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Jess Root

Mock draft Saturday: Cardinals stay put in Rd. 1, trade down in Rd. 2

It is another Saturday leading up to the 2023 NFL draft and that means a mock draft simulation.

In this simulation using PFF’s mock draft simulator, the priority was not to trade down in the first round. Plus, of the scenarios presented, the highest team willing to trade up were the Tennessee Titans with the 11th pick.

They do trade down in the second round select their center of the future.

We go through the picks and trades below.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Round 1: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

With no great option to trade down, Anderson is the no-brainer. He might be the best player in the draft and he can make an impact immediately with his pass-rushing potential.

Round 2 trade

Cardinals trade pick No. 34 to Jets

Cardinals receive pick No. 43, No. 112 (4th round), No. 144 (5th round), 2024 4th-round pick

Round 2: Ohio State C Luke Wypler

Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Wypler doesn’t get a good grade from PFF for the pick but he comps to very solid and capable centers with long careers. The Cardinals get extra picks and land a guy who can be their center of the future.

Round 3: Alabama CB Eli Ricks

 Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he gives the Cardinals length in addition to toughness.

Round 3: TCU RB Kendre Miller

Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic

He is 5-foot-11 and 215 lbs with speed and agility. He rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last season for TCU on 6.2 yards per carry.

Round 4: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals drafted an LSU defensive lineman in the fourth round in 2020, taking Rashard Lawrence. They do it again here. He is 6-foot-2, 305 pounds and strong.

Round 4: Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry

Henry is 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds. He ran the 40 in 4.63 seconds at the combine. He had 3.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss last season.

Round 5: N.C. State OL Chandler Zavala

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Zavala is a 6-foot-5, 325-pound guard. He started two seasons at left guard for the Wolfpack.

Round 5: Maryland CB Jakorian Bennett

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Bennett lit up the combine with his speed. He is 5-11 and 188 lbs and ran the 40 in 4.30 seconds. He had two interceptions and 11 pass breakups last season.

Round 6: Oklahoma DL Jalen Redmond

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Redmond had a strong combine showing. At 6-foot-2 and 291 pounds, he ran the 40 in 4.81 seconds. He had four sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season for Oklahoma.

Round 6: BYU WR Puka Nacua

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nacua is 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds. He played two seasons at Washington before transferring to BYU. As  Cougar last season, he dealt with some injuries, playing in nine games. But he caught 48 passes for 625 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 209 yards and five touchdowns on 25 carries.

He was the Cougars’ biggest offensive threat when he was healthy last season.

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