Mock roundup: Who the Cardinals pick and where the ASU prospects go
The home stretch heading into the 2015 NFL Draft leaves little time for teams to finalize their boards.
The Arizona Cardinals own the 24th and 55th overall picks, beginning with Thuirsday's first round, and many believe they can shore up the running back and edge rusher positions with those selections in the first two rounds.
Players, on the other hand, have done all they can to solidify their stock, and good things appear to be in store for this year's Arizona State representatives. Four former Sun Devils could be drafted.
Receiver Jaelen Strong, defensive back Damarious Randall, defensive end Marcus Hardison and offensive lineman Jamil Douglas are projected to be selected. Quarterback Taylor Kelly and tight end De'Marieya Nelson appear longshots to slip into the final rounds.
Scouring mock drafts across the internet, here's what several experts project the Cardinals to do in the first and second rounds, and where the ASU representatives will be selected. And it's worth mentioning that a report about Strong having an small broken bone in his hand -- he responded by posting this video to Instagram -- hasn't done much to his stock.
Cardinals pick: Jalen Collins, DB, LSU (No. 24). Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State (No. 55)
Says Schrager: "I know everyone has Arizona going running back in the first round; don't be shocked if they pick another defensive back. (Collins would) join the Honey Badger and Patrick Peterson as LSU DBs in Arizona."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 18, Kansas City Chiefs. Randall -- No. 29, Indianapolis Colts
Says Schrager: "Arizona State hasn't had a first-round pick since 2003, when Terrell Suggs went to Baltimore. Strong will end that drought on April 30."
Cardinals pick: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest (No. 24)
Says McShay: "He needs to add strength to be more effective in run support, but he has the natural movement skills to excel in the man coverage schemes the Cardinals typically employ, to go with above-average recognition instincts and ball skills."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 26, Baltimore Ravens
Says McShay: "The Ravens' priorities in this draft have to be upgrading at cornerback and safety, but they could also go with a wide receiver, running back or pass-rusher here depending on how the board shakes out. I have them taking Strong in this scenario as a big-play target to replace Torrey Smith opposite Steve Smith Sr."
Cardinals pick: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin (No. 24)
Says Kiper: "... a healthy Andre Ellington means Arizona will have big-play potential in the running and screen game, but he's a health risk and simply isn't on Gordon's level. Gordon has the explosiveness that you need from an RB taken this high -- he's a true game-breaker -- but he's also proved durable."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 18, Kansas City Chiefs
Says Kiper: "I don't know if a true down-the-field threat is going to make Alex Smith a down-the-field thrower, but Strong at least creates more of an option in the passing game."
Cardinals take: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington (No. 24)
Says Farrar: "In 2014, Arizona lost their two inside linebackers to free agency (Karlos Dansby) and suspension (Daryl Washington), and it really affected that defense."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 18, Kansas City Chiefs
Says Farrar: "The Chiefs paid former Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin a whole lot of money ($55 million with $22.5 million over five years) to be their speed receiver, something the franchise needs very badly after enjoying exactly zero touchdowns from their receivers in 2014. And with Dwayne Bowe off to Cleveland, there's a need for a reliable possession receiverâsomething that head coach Andy Reid requires in his West Coast offense. Strong would be a great match for this system ..."
Cardinals take: Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky (No. 24)
Says Burke: "The beauty of Bruce Arians’s ... defense is that it creates headaches for quarterbacks in a variety of ways. Last season, the Cardinals’ personnel dictated a heavy dose of linebacker blitzes through the A-gap. Adding a young pass-rusher like Dupree—after signing veteran LaMarr Woodley—would shift the focus back to the edges."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 47, Miami Dolphins. Hardison -- No. 64, New England Patriots
Says Burke: "... Hardison's mix of pass-rushing skill and size (6-5, 298 pounds) would offer plenty of options for Bill Belichick."
Cardinals take: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri (No. 24). Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (No. 55)
Says Rang: "A less-than-spectacular pro day and lingering foot injury has Ray's stock slipping, but for an Arizona squad looking for edge rushers, the reigning SEC sack king could fit perfectly."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 49, Kansas City Chiefs. Randall -- No. 59, Denver Broncos
Says Rang: "Veteran Darian Stewart was signed away from Baltimore as a possible replacement for Rahim Moore but Randall offers upside."
Cardinals take: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (No. 24)
Says Prisco: "They are continually trying to get better up front and right tackle Bobby Massie is in the final year of his deal. Flowers also could play guard."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 17, San Diego Chargers. Randall -- No. 29, Indianapolis Colts
Says Prisco: "San Diego needs to beef up their outside threats. Strong is a big, strong receiver who is faster than expected."
Cardinals take: Cameron Erving, C, Florida State (No. 24). T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama (No. 55)
Says Brugler: "The Cardinals released incumbent starting center Lyle Sendlein last month and Erving is a plug-and-play option in the first round."
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 46, San Francisco 49ers. Randalle -- No. 54, Detroit Lions
Says Brugler: "With Glover Quin entrenched at free safety right now, Randall would be a good fit as a nickelback early in his career for the Lions."
Cardinals take: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin (No. 24)
Says Brinson: "Consolation prize for the Cards after Gurley went earlier. They need a feature running back and Adrian Peterson isn't looking like an attainable option at this point in time.
Sun Devils picked: Strong -- No. 26, Baltimore Ravens
Says Brinson: "A hand injury drops Strong on the draft board but Ozzie Newsome swoops in and nabs a wide receiver to fill the void left by Torrey Smith's departure. This isn't a strong unit right now and Joe Flacco needs more weapons.
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