We have a new seven-round mock draft to look at from Pro Football Network. While the top five seem to be mostly set, what the Arizona Cardinals do is uncertain. They could go a lot of ways, whether that is a pass rusher off the edge, a defensive lineman, an offensive lineman or a skill player.
They have a need at guard. They could upgrade at receiver. They could use a linebacker.
So who do they get in these seven-round projections?
7-round mock draft for Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1: Alabama G Tyler Booker
- Round 2: Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
- Round 3: South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders
- Round 4: Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce
- Round 5: Ohio State C Seth McLaughlin
- Round 7: Oklahoma State DT Dalton Cooper
Analysis
The Booker pick makes sense. He is a plug-and-play starter and fills the Cardinals' most immediate need. Is he athletic enough to move the way the Cardinals like to use their guards? That is a question to be answered, but there aren't questions about his play in college.
The Henderson pick is strange. The Cardinals have James Conner and Trey Benson. I can't see them using a Day 1 or 2 pick on a running back.
Sanders is a solid pick. The Cardinals could add youth and competition to the defensive line room.
Pierce is a giant human being. At 6-foot-8 and 341 pounds with 36-inch arms, he is an intriguing prospect to develop.
McLaughlin gives the Cardinals the Ohio State O-line connection everyone expects with their new offensive line coach having come from the Buckeyes. McLaughlin is coming off a torn Achilles but was the nation's best center. He could be poised to take over for Hjalte Froholdt, whose two-year contract extension kicks in this year.
And seventh-round defensive lineman is all right as well.
What is odd is there is no edge rusher, linebacker or receiver at any point. Three offensive linemen drafted will make it hard to keep all of them, but McLaughlin probably could be kept on NFI all year. With six defensive linemen already seemingly set for the roster, adding two means one draft pick won't make the roster.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals heavy on OL, DL in new 7-round mock
