Post-Free Agency Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft
We are within 25 days of the 2023 NFL Draft and it's so close that we can almost taste it. Naturally, it feels like a good time to pump out a new 2023 NFL Draft mock for the Arizona Cardinals. It will be a very important draft in the team's history with a new general manager (Moti Ossenfort) and head coach (Jonathan Gannon) running the show now and hoping to get things back on track.
There are tons of different avenues the Cardinals could explore from trading down to what position to take, but for this mock, I opted not to do any trades and simply had the Cardinals take the best players available. Honestly? I think this mock is a masterpiece:
Round 1:
Pick 3: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
A trade-down is the most likely option for the Cardinals with the third overall pick, by why not just sit tight and take the top player in the draft class? Anderson is one of the best edge rushing prospects of the last ten years and he is the cornerstone for Jonathan Gannon to build his defense around.
Round 2:
Pick 34: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
The Cardinals need help across the entirety of their offensive line and Harrison is a plug-and-play right tackle for the team at the top of the second round. Placing Harrison across from D.J. Humphries would give the team bookend protectors for Kyler Murray.
Round 3:
Pick 66: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Phillips isn't the biggest corner in the world standing at 5'9", but he isn't afraid to play tight and physical against his competition. With Byron Murphy gone, Phillips can step into his shoes and be the Cardinals' top cornerback.
Pick 96: Luke Wypler, IOL, Ohio State
Wypler is a popular name for the Cardinals and it's not hard to see why. Wypler doesn't have the longest arms in the world, but considering he is a center with good technical skills, this isn't too concerning. Wypler would be another plug-and-play starter for the team.
Round 4:
Pick 105: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Sewell was once considered a first-round talent but his underwhelming junior season has him slip a bit. The Cardinals will happily swoop in for a starting-caliber linebacker to use as depth in year one and potentially turn into a starter down the road depending on how the careers of Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins shake out.
Round 5:
Pick 168: Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
Johnson is highly undervalued because he played behind Bijan Robinson at Texas and it's a shame because he's an explosive player. But this will play into his favor in the long run as a dynamic change-of-pace back with little mileage on his legs. He's a perfect complement to James Conner and could blossom into something more.
Round 6:
Pick 180: Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
Jarrett checks off most of the boxes in the appearance category and his upside will have many teams excited to roll the dice on him. The Cardinals would be getting a really exciting lottery ticket who could turn into a starting receiver with the right coaches to develop him.
Pick 213: Nesta Jade Silvera, IDL, Arizona State
The Cardinals' defensive line needs as many role players as possible and Silvera is a perfect two-down player with underrated athleticism to navigate across the line. Big men like Silvera shouldn't be as quick as he is and the hometown kid will surely outplay his draft position.
