Arizona Cardinals' 2020 NFL Draft Redo

The 2020 NFL Draft has a lot of potential for the Arizona Cardinals, but this re-draft shows just how great it could've been.

Author:
Richie Bradshaw
Publish date:
Feb 16, 2023 9:00 AM EST

In this story:

Arizona Cardinals

We're beginning to enter the "I can't believe Steve Keim passed on 'x' player!" territory for our Arizona Cardinals re-draft series, and man was the 2020 NFL Draft class a brutal one to look back on.

During this mock, I put together such a dynamic draft class that would've altered the Cardinals forever. The best/worst part is all of my redo's were within reason of each other, so no pick was too obscene to imagine.

Bear with me, Cardinals fans, as we redo the 2020 NFL Draft and mourn what could've been a historic class.

Previous classes:

2022 NFL Re-Draft

2021 NFL Re-Draft

Round 1

Pick 8: Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker

Through three seasons, Simmons has yet to live up to his top-10 draft status. There have been some flashes of brilliance, but it feels like there's still a lot left to be desired. Perhaps new head coach Jonathan Gannon can unlock his potential in year four.

Redo pick: Tristan Wirfs, Offensive Tackle, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (originally pick 13)

The Cardinals have always needed help on the offensive line and the team bypassed Wirfs to shore up the line. At the time it was looked at as a bit questionable, but hindsight makes this even worse. Wirfs is already a two-time All-Pro and is one of the best young offensive tackles in football. If we could turn back time, this is the easiest pick to redo.

Round 3

Pick 72: Josh Jones, Offensive Line

Jones saw the field quite a bit in 2022 and he was far from terrible, but still could've been better. Jones is likely to remain a fixture on the offensive line, but there were better options available, such as...

Redo pick: Jonah Jackson, Offensive Guard, Detroit Lions (originally pick 75)

Jackson made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and has become a staple along one of the best offensive lines in football. This is another easy swap for a redraft that would give the Cardinals two Pro Bowlers on the offensive line. Talk about turning a weakness into a strength.

Round 4

Pick 114: Leki Fotu, Interior Defensive Line

Fotu has seen all 34 possible games over the last two seasons and looks like a solid rotational piece on the defensive line, but he remains an upgradable player.

Redo pick: Gabe Davis, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills (originally pick 128)

Davis may never be a top-end WR2 for the Bills, but he would be a welcome addition to any wide receiver room and especially for the Cardinals. Davis has missed just three games since coming into the league and is one of the top deep threats there are with a whopping 16.8 career yards per reception. Matching him with Hopkins could've allowed the team to keep their first-round pick in 2022 and not worry about trading for Marquise Brown.

Pick 131: Rashard Lawrence, Interior Defensive Line

Unlike Fotu, Lawrence has hardly seen the field for one reason or another. It feels like Lawrence will always be a projection player more than anything else at this point in his career.

Redo pick: L'Jarius Sneed, Cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs (originally pick 138)

Meanwhile, the Chiefs landed a top-tier cornerback in the fourth round in Sneed. The Cardinals have needed good cornerback play for quite some time and Sneed would absolutely remain a top corner for them the same way he is for the Chiefs.

Round 5

Supplemental Draft pick: Jalen Thompson, Safety

Thompson was taken in the 2021 Supplemental Draft and the Cardinals used a fifth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft to bring him in. Thus far, Thompson has been the starting safety across Budda Baker and he's been nothing short of a stud.

Redo pick: No change

There were no players selected within a reasonable number of picks that were better value than Thompson. Even then, Thompson has been a home run for the Cardinals and they would make this pick in every redraft.

Round 6

Pick 202: Evan Weaver, Linebacker

Weaver lasted one season with the Cardinals before being waived the following year. He did not record any stats for the team.

Redo pick: Jauan Jennings, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers (originally pick 217)

Jennings was not everyone's cup of tea, but the 49ers have turned him into quite the weapon for their offense. The value here is outstanding and his versatility would help open this offense up.

Round 7

Pick 222: Eno Benjamin, Running Back

Benjamin was a fan favorite coming out of Arizona State, but he didn't get many chances to impress. There were some flashes, but ultimately not enough substance. Benjamin lasted just short of three seasons with the team before being cut last November.

Redo pick: James Robinson, Running Back

Robinson hasn't been healthy for part of his NFL career, but when he's been on the field, he's been dynamic. Robinson rushed for 1,000 yards as an undrafted rookie and he would be a terrific change-of-pace back behind James Conner.