GM Monti Ossenfort has impressed with his draft acumen in his brief tenure as GM. What does he have cooking on Day 2?
Two drafts, two different approaches for Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort… so far. Last year, Monti wheeled and dealed throughout the draft. Many draftniks and mockers had assumed he would do so again. But Monti took a different approach in last night’s first round, sticking and picking at #4 and #27, coming away with massively hyped WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and versatile D-lineman Darius Robinson. Sometimes the best move is no move at all.
What does he have in store for Day 2? The Cardinals have four picks tonight: one in Round 2 (#35) and three in Round 3 due to those trades last year (#66, #71, and #90). Here’s what’s on my Cardinals draft wish list for Day 2.
A Cornerback
After Monti addressed WR and pass rush in Round 1, corner is by far the team’s biggest need left. The depth chart is currently free agent signing Sean Murphy-Bunting and a host of unproven youngsters. Fortunately, this is a strong draft for cornerbacks and there have only been three taken so far. (Man would it have been nice if Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell fell to us at #27.)
Possible Fits: At least one of Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry should be there for the taking at #35, and Monti should definitely go for the best one available. If not, maybe someone like Ennis Rakestraw Jr. or T.J. Tampa later on.
Interior O-Line
We still have a need for depth/starting competition at guard and center. Will Hernandez had a solid year last year and figures to have one of the guard spots locked down, but I don’t think anyone views Elijah Wilkinson as a no-doubt starter, and the depth behind him is nothing special. Hjalte Froholdt is a competent center but probably not a long-term answer. Monti should definitely beef up here.
Possible Fits: None of the guards are worth a 2nd-rounder, and Jackson Powers-Johnson won’t be around when we pick in Round 3. Guard-wise, keep an eye on names like Christian Haynes and Cooper Beebe at #67 or #71. At center, maybe Zach Frazier slips out of Round 2? Monti could always trade back into Round 2 if there’s a run and he has his eye on a specific player.
Another Wideout
You might think we’re set at wideout after the MHJ pick, but I think Monti should strongly consider double-dipping here, as I’ve mentioned before. Michael Wilson had a nice rookie year and Greg Dortch is an underrated slot guy, but you can never have enough weapons and this is a deep WR draft class. Adding another young guy to develop alongside MHJ and Wilson would be a shrewd move.
Possible Fits: As much as I love the idea of passing on CB to grab someone like Adonai Mitchell or Ladd McConkey at #35, there should still be great WR talent available early in Round 3. Maybe someone from the Jalen McMillan/Troy Franklin/Brendan Rice tier? Heck, there should even be intriguing options at #90.
Interior D-Line
Robinson was a nice start but Monti should continue adding big bodies along the D-line. We did sign Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones in free agency, but they seem more like stop-gap solutions than foundational defensive players. Here’s hoping Robinson can be a guy like that—and that Monti adds another large human being to really strengthen that foundation.
Possible Fits: I’m sure many Cardinals fans (myself included) had their eye on Jer’Zhan Newton at #27. He doesn’t make sense at #35 after the Robinson pick, but this will be a position to keep an eye on in Round 3, where someone like T’Vondre Sweat might be available.
Wildcard… Running Back?
I know, I know, we already have James Conner, depth isn’t really an issue, and RBs are considered fungible by many top NFL personnel people. Oh, and this is widely considered a poor draft for RBs. But that could be a blessing in disguise, with many teams passing on the position in the first few rounds. It’s possible ZERO RBs come off the board in Round 2, with Jonathan Brooks the possible exception. So we could still land a talented back to support and eventually replace Conner, who isn’t getting any younger. I’m intrigued by the notion.
Possible Fits: I don’t think we’d be able to land Brooks in the 3rd, but guys like Trey Benson, Blake Corum, and Jaylen Wright should be available… maybe as late as #90. And keep in mind that we pick again at #104. Keep an eye on this position for the Redbirds.
Final Thoughts
Day 2 of the draft continues in just a few hours. Cardinals fans won’t have to wait long for the team to be back on the clock, with our pick third up. Here’s hoping Buffalo and New England pass on the top defenders to give Monti his choice of impact players. I can’t wait to see him continue his impressive draft performance. Isn’t it great to have a GM to seem like he knows what he’s doing in the draft?
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