The Arizona Cardinals have a number of needs entering the 2023 NFL draft. In a new two-round mock draft by the editors of the USA TODAY NFL Wire sites, Arizona fills a few of their needs.
They make a trade back in the first round and pick up a second-round selection.
How does the mock draft turn out for the Cardinals?
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Trade back!
Cardinals trade No. 3 pick to Titans
Cardinals receive No. 11 pick, No. 41 pick (Round 2), 2024 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick
The selection of Anthony Richardson first overall means C.J. Stroud is on the board at No. 3 and the Titans move up from the 11th pick.
This trade is roughly based on the one the 49ers made in 2021 to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 to draft quarterback Trey Lance.
Round 1: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
With a roster that needs much more than just one great player, picking up an extra second-round pick and picks in the next two drafts was a good deal. While Will Anderson was the preferred player for most fans, he was never going to be on the board at No. 11. Instead, with Tyree Wilson also off the board, cornerback comes into focus. Porter comes with NFL bloodlines, his father having played 13 years in the NFL, including two for the Cardinals. He has an unmatched size/length/athleticism combo. There just aren’t cornerbacks his size who run as well as he does. He broke up 11 passes for Penn State last season.
Round 2: Georgia Tech EDGE Keion White
They didn’t get Will Anderson or Tyree Wilson in the first round but they sill land an edge defender to rush the passer. White, at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, is long and has size to play every down at defensive end. He has 34-inch arms and was clocked in the 40 at his pro day at 4.65 seconds. He is an athletic freak. He had 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season. He, along with 2022 third-round pick Cameron Thomas, give the Cardinals big, powerful, athletic defensive ends who can probably kick inside for some versatility.
Round 2: TCU OL Steve Avila
The Cardinals get a stud guard who could be a capable center. Avila played center for TCU before moving to guard. He didn’t allow a single sack last season. The Cardinals want to build the trenches and taking a guy like Avila will do exactly that.
