Arizona Cardinals Must Land One Of These 5 Guys In First Round Of 2016 NFL Draft

By Brad Berreman

A successful season in 2015 has the Arizona Cardinals picking late in the first round of next week’s draft, with pick No. 29 overall right now. The Cardinals could go multiple directions with that first-round pick, but they must get one of these five guys.

Arizona Cardinals Must Land One Of These 5 Guys In First Round Of 2016 NFL Draft
← Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate →

5. Eastern Kentucky DE/OLB Noah Spence

Eastern Kentucky DE/OLB Noah Spence Credit: Twitter
I had Spence on my list of prospects to avoid in the first round. But if a team does take that risk, it might be the Cardinals as they look to bolster their pass rush.

5. Eastern Kentucky DE/OLB Noah Spence

I had Spence on my list of prospects to avoid in the first round. But if a team does take that risk, it might be the Cardinals as they look to bolster their pass rush.

4. Alabama DT Jarran Reed

Alabama DT Jarran Reed Credit: Getty Images
Nose tackle is not a dire need for Arizona, but they could seek an upgrade if things fall a certain way in the first round. Reed fits that, and he could step right in as a starter.

4. Alabama DT Jarran Reed

Nose tackle is not a dire need for Arizona, but they could seek an upgrade if things fall a certain way in the first round. Reed fits that, and he could step right in as a starter.

3. Memphis QB Paxton Lynch

Memphis QB Paxton Lynch Credit: Getty Images
The Cardinals need to start cultivating a quarterback of the future. Lynch needs time to develop, and working with Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer would be good for him.

3. Memphis QB Paxton Lynch

The Cardinals need to start cultivating a quarterback of the future. Lynch needs time to develop, and working with Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer would be good for him.

2. Oklahoma State DE/OLB Emmanuel Ogbah

Oklahoma State DE/OLB Emmanuel Ogbah Credit: Getty Images
The acquisition of Chandler Jones helps, but the Cardinals could use another edge rusher. Projections for him range from mid-first round to mid-second round, but there's no arguing with Ogbah's production over his final two seasons at Oklahoma State.

2. Oklahoma State DE/OLB Emmanuel Ogbah

The acquisition of Chandler Jones helps, but the Cardinals could use another edge rusher. Projections for him range from mid-first round to mid-second round, but there's no arguing with Ogbah's production over his final two seasons at Oklahoma State.

1. Alabama C Ryan Kelly

Alabama C Ryan Kelly Credit: Getty Images
Taking a center in the first round would be unique, but the Cardinals could use an upgrade there with A.Q. Shipley currently in line to start. Kelly is the top player at the position and fills a need, even if he wouldn't be an exciting pick.

1. Alabama C Ryan Kelly

Taking a center in the first round would be unique, but the Cardinals could use an upgrade there with A.Q. Shipley currently in line to start. Kelly is the top player at the position and fills a need, even if he wouldn't be an exciting pick.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon

You May Also Like