Cardinals Know There's Elite Talent at Pick No. 3
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INDIANAPOLIS -- By now, Arizona Cardinals fans have become extremely familiar with three names who could be taken at No. 3: Alabama's Will Anderson, Georgia's Jalen Carter and Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson.
All three present different options and fits for Arizona - should they decide to stay put. Cardinals fans know those names, and people such as coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort especially know what those guys could possibly do in the desert.
"Those are two premium positions with how we want to play defense in Arizona because we know that they're impact positions. So we'll evaluate those guys like we evaluate everybody but you know, those are premium positions and if they fit being an Arizona Cardinal then we'll make that call," said Gannon earlier this week.
Whether they go EDGE or defensive tackle, they're sure to upgrade Arizona's interior that's losing J.J. Watt and potentially Zach Allen in free agency.
"I like some of the pieces that we have. You know, I've talked to a lot of those guys. I think that we just got to make sure that we're using them with things that they're comfortable with what we're asking him to do," Gannon said.
"I like the size and the length of our guys. I like the versatility of some of our pieces. And you know, it's just like with Isaiah [Simmons], we got to get on the grass and see what they're comfortable doing and we got to get them in the right spots that they can be successful."
The Cardinals may very well move out of their spot. Speculation is running rampant as Ossenfort left the door open on more than once occasion for teams to do business at No. 3.
Yet Ossenfort said they'll prepared to make a pick if they don't trade back. That very well could be one of the trio of Anderson, Carter or Wilson.
"Probably not gonna get in too many specifics. Those are three players that I have studied and will continue to study," Ossenfort told reporters.
"[I'm] anxious to meet with them and do more work with them this week. Those are three talented players and they all bring different skill sets and they've had good college careers. We're excited to dive more into them and then see exactly how they would fit for our team moving forward."
The board will shift and conversations between teams will only grow in hopes of striking a deal. There's plenty of talent available for Arizona - we'll see if they stick around.
