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Arizona Cardinals May Scouting Report
David Vohs
5/30/2020
Well, I can’t remember a draft that I was happier about in recent memory. The Arizona Cardinals addressed needs and best player available in the same draft. Most had WR Ceedee Lamb from Oklahoma headed to the Cardinals at #8 or the best OT available. Well, when LB Isaiah Simmons slid to the Cardinals at #8 it was a no-brainer. LB Isaiah Simmons will assist the Cardinals in tackling and covering opponent linebackers (the biggest weakness on the Cardinals defense).
|
1 |
8 |
LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson |
|
|
3 |
72 |
OT Josh Jones, Houston |
|
|
4 |
114 |
DT LekiFotu, Utah |
|
|
4 |
131* |
DL Rashard Lawrence, LSU |
|
|
6 |
202* |
LB Evan Weaver, Cal |
|
|
7 |
222 |
RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State |
Draft pick #131 acquired from Texans as part of WR DeAndre Hopkins and Draft Pick #202 acquired from Patriots as part of OT Korey Cunningham trade.
The Cardinals took the player highest on their draft board and probably most team’s draft board with LB Isaiah Simmons from Clemson. The Cardinal’s stuck with their draft board and forgot to play to all the mock draft experts. Last year the Cardinals’ defense ranked 32nd overall. So this team needed a lot of help on defense. LB Isaiah Simmons was the highest rated defender on the Cardinals board (I never saw the board – so this is pretty much a guess) but he had to be very high to pass up good OT and WRs. One of the biggest issues with the Cardinals defense is covering the opponent Tight End. This is one of the specialties of Simmons in college. LB Simmons will switch back and forth to safety and be used all over the field.
Second pick (third round pick) OT Josh Jones from Houston could have been a first round pick but fell all the way down to the third round. Jones was ranked in the top 5 for Offensive Tackles by many rankers prior to the draft so one could consider this a complete bargain.
Remember, the Cardinals traded away RB David Johnson and their second round pick in 2020 and 4th round pick in 2020 for WR DeAndre Hopkins. So as for a second round draft pick, WR DeAndre Hopkins is a pretty darn good find!
The Cardinals then spent both of their 4th Round Picks looking for some toughness in the middle of the defensive line. DT Leki Fotu and DT Richard Lawrence should be quickly added to the Defensive Line rotation early this season.
Round 6 brought a surprise pick with LB Evan Weaver. Weaver is an intense tackler who should play for the Cardinals early on and will definitely help on special teams.
Round 7 brought the biggest surprise of all. RB Eno Benjamin may be one of the steals of the draft. This kid has top round talent and should be the #3 RB on the Cardinals behind RB Kenyon Drake and RB Chase Edmonds. Benjamin may challenge Edmonds for the #2 spot.
Next month, we will look at the upcoming schedule and other off-season surprises!
Go Cardinals!!
End.
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