April 25, 2012
The eve of the NFL draft has analysts and experts everywhere finalizing their mock drafts, and regardless of whether those turn out to be accurate, there's no harm trying to collect a little more data/speculation regarding what the Cardinals might do with the 13th pick.
With that in mind, here's a rundown of which players the prominent websites and draft pundits have the Cards selecting in the first round:
Peter Schrager, FOXSports.com: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Mel Kiper, ESPN: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Todd McShay, ESPN: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Mike Sando, ESPN (NFC West blogger): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Peter King, Sports Illustrated: David DeCastro, G, stanford
Mike Mayock, NFL.com: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
Michael Lombardi, NFL.com: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Charlie Casserly, NFL.com: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Charles Davis, NFL.com: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Mike Tanier, Yahoo Sports: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Rob Rang, CBS Sports: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
Dane Brugler, CBS Sports: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
Pat Kirwan, CBS Sports: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
Barry Wilner, Associated Press: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
As you can see, there's a growing opinion that the Cardinals won't take a tackle -- Riley Reiff is the only one represented, showing up three times -- and instead will target receiver Michael Floyd out of Notre Dame, which would certainly make Larry Fitzgerald happy. Floyd appears on the above list five times, while Stanford guard David DeCastro is second with four mentions.
That said, the draft isn't an election; it's all guesswork until the Cardinals are actually on the clock. Fortunately, that will be the case in just a little more than 24 hours.
-- Matt Swartz
