Pro Comparisons for Five Cardinals Draft Prospects
There's been plenty of talk around what the Arizona Cardinals should do with their No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and rightfully so. This decision has the ability to help or hinder their rebuild after tearing down an organization that went just 4-13 in the year prior while hoping their franchise quarterback gets back to full health.
Two primary options exist for the Cardinals:
-Stay at No. 3 and presumably draft Alabama edge Will Anderson
-Move down in the draft order and gain additional picks
The second option seems to be the more likely one at this point in time, though we won't truly know until Arizona is on the clock a few weeks from now.
However the cookie crumbles, the Cardinals will end up drafting a player at some point in the first round.
There's some awfully talented players in the class - but who will Arizona select to help begin the rebuild?
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller went through a few different players in the first round and formulated pro comparisons for them.
Here's a look at five players the Cardinals could target and who Miller projects similarly to:
Will Anderson = Von Miller
"A menace off the edge, Anderson saw his role increase in 2022 when the Alabama coaches needed more interior pressure and called on No. 31 to do the dirty work. Over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-4, 253-pounder produced 27.5 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, 130 pressures, a forced fumble and an interception.
"He shows unstoppable first-step quickness and has a great understanding of pass-rush angles and leverage. Yes, Anderson misses some tackles in the backfield, but he is a complete pass-rusher who likely would have been the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft."
Tyree Wilson = Frank Clark
"One of the hottest draft risers of the 2022 season, Wilson brings a great combination of length, quickness off the ball and relentless pursuit mentality. Over the past two years, the 6-foot-6, 271-pounder had 14 sacks, 30.5 tackles for loss and 71 pressures while dominating at the point of attack.
"He's one of the safer defensive prospects in the class, as his positional tools are already so well developed. Wilson should enter the NFL as a solid starter with the upside to become a truly special player."
Jalen Carter = Fletcher Cox
"The 2021 Georgia defense had five players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, and Carter (not eligible in that draft) might have actually been the best defender on the team. At 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds, he has great first-step quickness and a powerful frame that can split double teams.
"Carter battled ankle and knee injuries last season and platooned on a deep Georgia defense in 2021, but he still accumulated six sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Teams will have to do their homework, though. Carter pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing after an arrest during combine week."
Christian Gonzalez = Byron Jones
"A transfer from Colorado, Gonzalez found his footing at Oregon under first-year coach Dan Lanning, who was the architect of the 2021 Georgia defense. Gonzalez has great size at 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, and his speed and leaping ability are elite traits. He had a breakout season in 2022 with four interceptions and seven pass breakups."
Devon Witherspoon = Darius Slay
"An aggressive and physical cornerback, Witherspoon is sticky in coverage and uses his size (6-foot, 181 pounds) and quickness to stay in-phase and eliminate targets. He had three interceptions and 14 pass breakups this past season. And while run defense doesn't get talked about much with corner prospects, Witherspoon's open-field tackling ability is the best in the class at the position."
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