Monti Ossenfort, the general manager of the Arizona Cardinals, expressed a bold vision during the NFL combine last month. His hope was that the Cardinals would be ready to take to the field once the free agency process was complete, thus negating the need to fill specific positions in the draft. Given the distinct gaps in areas such as edge rusher, defensive line, guard, and linebacker, this ambition seemed far-fetched at the time.
However, a month later, the situation appears much more favorable. Though the existing solutions might not be foolproof, notably in the guard position, the Cardinals are now at a stage where they could field a team. This puts them in a beneficial situation going into the impending draft, with the liberty to make flexible selections.
We now look at how the Cardinals may distribute their six draft choices. With their initial pick, 16th overall in the first round, they’re considering Grey Zabel. Even with the re-signing of Evan Brown as the starting left guard, addressing the guard position remains a priority. Zabel, from North Dakota State, could offer some much-needed competition, particularly on the right side which is currently covered by Isaiah Adams, a relatively inexperienced player who has only started five games in his rookie year.
In terms of financial strategy, the Cardinals have organized their contracts intelligently, conserving $40 million in cap space. This monetary flexibility could pave the way for them to acquire another guard through a late signing, fortifying this critical position further.
The selection for the second round, 47th overall, could potentially be JT Tuimoloau. One advantage of picking a guard in the first round of this year’s draft is the notable quantity of talent available on the defensive front. Previous drafts may not have boasted such depth in both the edge rusher and defensive line positions, but this year provides a different landscape. Packed with attractive prospects, the day of round 2 is exciting for the Cardinals.
An edge from Ohio State, Tuimoloau was instrumental in his team’s charge to the national championships, tallying 6.5 sacks in just four games. If drafted, he would join forces with Josh Sweat and B.J. Ojulari, significantly rejuvenating the Cardinals’ edge rusher lineup.
For the third round, 78th overall, the Cardinals are eyeing Jordan Phillips, a defensive tackle from Maryland. Phillips’ skill set aligns with the Cardinals’ expectations, given his capabilities as a pass rusher and his versatility in playing different roles. He’s shown remarkable balance in his college career, spending nearly the same amount of time in both A-gap and B-gap positions.
While Phillips’ strength is notable, his technique requires refinement. The Cardinals seem to have anticipated this type of developmental project, as indicated by their hiring of Winston DeLattiboudere as their new defensive line coach.
Moving into the fourth round, 115th overall, the Cardinals may consider Isaiah Bond – a wide receiver from Texas. His blazing speed could inject fresh dynamism into the Cardinals’ offense which primarily employs physical, larger-bodied weapons.
Bond isn’t finished product yet and needs further development. Nonetheless, considering his evident potential, the Cardinals could view him as a sound choice with great future promise.
As we advance to the fifth round, 176th overall, Cody Lindenberg is a potential pick. As a linebacker from Minnesota, Lindenberg typifies what the Cardinals’ coaching staff looks for in a player at this position. He embodies the qualities of leadership, quick thinking, and good communicative abilities.
Lastly, in the seventh round, 225th overall, the Cardinals might consider Alijah Clark. The safety from Syracuse may not be an immediate necessity for the Cardinals, but Clark’s impressive four-year stretch on the special teams at Syracuse makes him a strong contender for a spot on the squad.