RESULT AT 16: DEFENSIVE TACKLE
WHO: Candidates include Mississippi’s Walter Nolen, Michigan’s Kenneth Grant and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon
WHY: The Cardinals have rebuilt their defensive line, but with all the veterans (and short-term contracts), adding another young long-term piece would be smart. Injuries the last two years prove the Cardinals can never have enough options.
WHY NOT: The Cardinals have rebuilt their defensive line and may have spots where a first-round addition might help more right now. More importantly, this draft is so deep the position could be addressed in the second or third (or even fourth round) and still get a quality player.
RESULT AT 16: OFFENSIVE TACKLE
WHO: Candidates include Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons.
WHY: Tackle remains one of those key positions – QB, pass rusher, CB as well – that always must be considered. A pick here would be a forward-thinking choice (like D.J. Humphries in 2015) for the future rather than now, with veteran Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum in place for 2025.
WHY NOT: Williams and Beachum, for starters. And 2024 draft pick Christian Jones, who the team still hopes can develop. There are other spots that can immediately help the Cardinals. One thing to consider is that someone like Banks could kick inside and play guard at first too – so would that mean he was a pick as a tackle or a guard?
RESULT AT 16: CORNERBACK
WHO: Candidates include Michigan’s Will Johnson and Texas’ Jahdae Barron.
WHY: As I mentioned, you can never have enough good cornerbacks. The Cardinals have loaded up, but if Ossenfort sees a guy who can plug and play – especially when DB guru Jonathan Gannon would’ve agreed – it would be a good choice.
WHY NOT: It’s weighing what the Cardinals need over otherwise. They have drafted a bunch of cornerbacks the past two seasons, including second-rounder Max Melton and third-rounders Garrett Williams and Elijah Jones. They have developed Starling Thomas V, in addition to veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting.