New GM mock draft has Arizona Cardinals taking a WR in Round 1
New GM mock draft has Arizona Cardinals taking a WR in Round 1 ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum plays GM for every team in his mock draft and takes a WR for the Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals wouldn't draft a receiver in the first round of the NFL draft after taking Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall last year, would they? Well, if ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum were the general manager, it would happen.
He did a mock draft where, rather than try to project what would happen, he made picks basing on what he would do as each team's GM.
For the Cardinals, with the 16th overall pick, he selected Texas receiver Matthew Golden.
Despite adding Marvin Harrison Jr. in the top five last April, Arizona was 16th in passing yards per attempt (7.1) and tied for 20th in touchdown catches (21) last season. Adding another blue-chip receiver to go with Harrison and tight end Trey McBride would take this offense to the next level. Golden's incredible timed speed (4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash) translates well to game play, and he is an excellent route runner with good hands. I think Golden has a chance to be a better pro than college player.
Edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Shemar Stewart are still on the board.
The belief is that the Cardinals are going to zero in on a pass rusher, defensive lineman or an offensive lineman. It makes sense as general manager Monti Ossenfort wants to build the team through the trenches.
However, wide receiver is a premium position and the Cardinals could use an upgrade at the position, and there is a lot to like about Golden. Adding someone like him might complete the offense in terms of weapons.
If he is rated higher than the players on the board, it is completely viable to see this scenario happening. Picking a receiver in the first round, especially considering the perceived depth at defensive tackle and EDGE, is not a crazy idea at all.
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