Who Cardinals, Fans Should Watch on College Championship Weekend
With many fans already looking towards the NFL Draft in 2024, here are a few groups of prospects and individuals for Arizona Cardinals fans to keep an eye on this upcoming weekend:
All the QBs
In a world where the 2024 draft looks better by the week, perhaps the best news this past weekend was the performance of the quarterbacks - and not from Caleb Williams or Drake Maybe this time.
If the race for QB3 was unclear, several really solid performances have vaulted Bo Nix, JJ McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr into the conversation (not to mention Jayden Daniels). This helps Arizona by either pushing down talent to their second first round pick or makes it that much easier to trade down to a QB needy team.
Washington v. Oregon
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington - Outside of a certain wide receiver that we all want to see wear Cardinals red, there may not be a better fit for Arizona, as they appear to need a tall, tough wide receiver - and that is Odunze. He's a good route runner, 50/50 ball specialist and leader/team captain on top of it.
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon - Franklin is a similar height to Odunze but not a contested catch specialist. Would he be worth a round 2 pick if they pass on WR in round 1? He has a lot of speed for a 6'3" receiver and could help open up things downfield - especially if they do not re-sign Marquise Brown.
Brandon Dorlus, EDGE, Oregon - Dorlus has quietly put together a nice season - does he fit as a 3-4 edge or 3-4 DE perhaps? It would probably make sense to take him in Round 2 if Arizona is interested if he is still on the board, and if they cannot take someone like Jer'Zhan Newton in Round 1.
Bralon Trice, EDGE, Washington - Similar to Dorlus in that he is an edge but a tweener size wise - but wow can he pressure the QB:
Troy Fautanu, G, Washington - If there's a glaring spot on the offense, it is perhaps as the LG, where the Cards have played 4 different OL this year. Fautanu is currently Washingtons LT but projects as a G in the NFL and would make sense in round 2 as well.
Florida State V. Louisville
Jared Verse, EDGE, FL St. - He's "underperformed" this year compared to last year but he is very much still worthy of a first round pick. His bull rush and size are something else - a special skill of his that usually turns into production:
Speaking of that bull rush - hello:
Toledo V. Miami of Ohio
Quinton Mitchell, CB, Toledo - If you are looking for a reason to watch the MAC Championship, look no further than Mitchell, who some draft experts consider to be the top non-power 5 player in this year's draft. And one would think Arizona could use a corner or two in this year's draft.
Alabama v. Georgia
Kool Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama - Speaking of corners - McKinstry may be the top one in the country. It will be interesting if he gets to match up with either Ladd McConkey or Brock Bowers, neither of which are your typical number 1 WR but are the Bulldogs best.
Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama - Though smaller than Verse, Turner would perhaps add the element of Hasson Reddick to Arizonas defense that they need to get more consistent pressure in passing situations.
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia - He finally returned from an injury and has the raw tools and athleticism to go in the first round - perhaps someone Arizona could consider with their round 2 pick or second first round pick.
Texas v. Oklahoma State
Bryon Murphy III and D'Vondre Sweat, DTs, Texas - Perhaps the most glaring need on defense is along the defensive front for Arizona - where they have struggled on all, well, fronts. Murphy profiles more as a 3-4 DE and Sweat as a 3-4 nose tackle. Sweat in particular has really taken a leap and both are well rounded players that could be great adds on Day 2.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas - Another field stretcher similar to Franklin but perhaps a better route runner according to draft experts, Mitchell would be a great add early in Day 2 or perhaps, if he continues to play well, at the end of round 1.
