7-round post-free agency mock draft has Arizona Cardinals going defense early
With the first week of NFL free agency in the books, now we can begin to look at how things change for the NFL draft in April. The Arizona Cardinals have filled key needs and have set themselves up nicely to be able to go with really any position early in the draft.
In a new seven-round mock draft from Pro Football Network, they still go heavy on defense, landing a defensive lineman and an edge defender with their first two picks after giving their biggest free agent deals to a defensive tackle and edge defender.
Have a look at the players the Cardinals land in these projections.
Round 1 (No. 16 overall): Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen
Adding another defensive tackle would really give the Cardinals a solid seven-man group. It would be their second consecutive first-round defensive lineman after taking Darius Robinson last season.
The Arizona Cardinals have shown they can compete with anyone, but they’ve also been inconsistent. Strengthening the defensive line could help stabilize their play.
Walter Nolen has elite physical tools and put together a breakout season at Ole Miss in 2024. His speed, power, and urgency make him a potential disruptor at the next level.
There are character concerns that might keep him off the Cardinals' board, but his talent is undeniable.
Round 2 (No. 47 overall): Ole Miss EDGE Prince Umanmielen
The Cardinals get another Ole Miss defender, and this would add yet another pass rusher to a group that has been bolstered in free agency with Baron Browning and Josh Sweat.
The Cardinals made a necessary investment to their pass rush when they signed Josh Sweat in free agency, but there’s no such thing as too much pass rush.
With his impressive length and a frame that’s done a great job of putting on weight without sacrificing speed, Princely Umanmielen has a high ceiling at the NFL level. He maximizes it with a high power and good spatial awareness when setting the edge too.
Round 3 (No. 78 overall): Miami WR Xavier Restrepo
ESPN's Mel Kiper and Field Yates are very high on Restrepo. He is a smaller but strong and fierce slot guy. He is better than Greg Dortch.
Xavier Restrepo is a sure-handed slot receiver who’s a crafty route runner with good spatial awareness against zone coverage and great burst coming out of his breaks. He feels like a high-floor receiver prospect who could contribute in Arizona’s offense as a complementary weapon to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride.
Round 4 (No. 115 overall): N.C. State OT Anthony Belton
The Cardinals will have to have tackle depth following this season. Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum will be free agents. We don't know if Christian Jones will become anything. At 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, he is a huge man.
Round 5 (No. 152 overall): Cal CB Nohl Williams
His is 6 feet tall and 199 pounds with adequate athleticism, but what he can do is get the football. He had seven interceptions last season, leading all the FBS and picked off 12 passes in the last three seasons.
Round 7 (No. 225 overall): Iowa LB Jay Higgins
The Cardinals could use linebacker depth, but Higgins is undersized and lacks elite athleticism. This would be an interesting pick, although he is a very productive tackle with 171 and 124 the last two seasons.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: 7-round post-free agency projections for Cardinals
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