Cardinals Post-Combine Mock Draft: Derrick Henry + Trades Galore

The Arizona Cardinals make some serious noise in this seven-round mock draft following the 2023 NFL Combine.

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone and proved more interesting than we could have imagined.

We had priors confirmed on some players while seeing testing numbers pop for others which caused some players to be re-evaluated. The nice part is if you are the Arizona Cardinals, two positions specifically that will impact them overperformed. The edge rushers and defensive linemen proved to be the deepest group in this NFL draft. 

At the same time, the quarterbacks proved to be a tighter race which may also help the Cardinals.

Someone is going to trade up with the Chicago Bears for number one pick. That will result in Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort having a busy phone for the number three pick and ultimately they trade back. Those two things truly might happen at this point, so why not take a look at the potential fallout?

Trade: The Cardinals send the 3rd overall pick to the Raiders for the 7th overall pick, 2023 3rd Round Pick (70), and a 2024 1st Round Pick

First Round (7): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Even if the Cardinals bring back Byron Murphy, Gonzalez brings something that no corner on the roster can. Gonzalez is physical in both coverage and the run game, he also has the size and length he owns to win against receivers of any size. In today’s NFL teams have three to four receivers needing coverage, not including running backs out of the backfield, Gonzalez would make Gannon avoid any Super Bowl nightmares.

Second Round (34): O’Cyrus Torrence, Guard, Florida

Every starting offensive lineman outside of D.J. Humphries is a free agent, to be honest, I am okay with this line getting a fresh start. Torrence is a bulldozer in blocking and has the physical traits and film to go in round one. Ultimately I feel he gets overlooked and the Cardinals take advantage with a first-round player here in round two. He would be a plug-and-play starter and be able to handle all the push rushers in the NFC West.

Third Round (66): Luke Wypler, Center, Ohio State

Everything I said about Torrence and the offensive line situation applies here. Add in that Rodney Hudson is leaning toward retirement and this pick makes even more sense. Humphries, Torrence, and Wypler give the Cardinals a rock-solid left side of the line.

Third Round (70): Rashee Rice, WR, SMU

A.J. Green has retired, DeAndre Hopkins is gone (spoiler), and this offense missed Christian Kirk last year. Rice fits the role that Kirk left open and is able to stretch the field for both Kyler Murray and whoever fills in for him in the interim. Wait, don’t the Cardinals have Marquise Brown? Yeah but that doesn’t matter, draft playmakers and Brown may be the next receiver on the move after Hopkins.

Third Round (96): Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee

Edge rushers can be make or break depending on their traits, Young has a high motor with great length and when you are rushing the quarterback those matter most. Young will fall in drafts due to his lack f playing experience but in round three he is the perfect dart throw. Ossenfort is in Arizona for the long haul and this is a pick that helps win a Super Bowl in year three or four, don’t make me put on the Sesame Street patient song.

Trade: The Cardinals send DeAndre Hopkins to the Jets for a 2023 4th Round Pick (112), and a 2024 4th Round Pick That Can Turn Into a 3rd Based on Hopkins Incentives

Fourth Round (112): Ji’Ayir Brown, DB, Penn State

I refuse to get into the DeAndre Hopkins discourse because unless he is traded for the Krabby Patty secret formula at least someone will be upset about it. In reality, Hopkins would waive his no-trade clause because Aaron Rodgers is a Jet in this universe. With the pick they gain this year, they get the most versatile defender in the draft in Ji’Ayir Brown. At Penn State, he was used as a safety, corner, and linebacker and forced 13 turnovers in the last two years alone. The Cardinals' defense needs dynamic playmakers and Brown fits the bill.

Fifth Round (169): Braeden Daniels, Guard/Tackle, Utah

Daniels isn’t a plug-and-play starter at guard like Torrence is but he is someone who could prove themselves in training camp. He has the size to handle NFL-sized linemen but his technique needs some minor tweaks.

Sixth Round (180): Clayton Tune, QB, Houston

Colt McCoy is poised to be the starter with Kyler Murray out for the beginning of the season, I honestly hate that. Clayton Tune has insane arm talent but needs some help in getting used to NFL defenses and handling a true NFL system as well. McCoy would be great for Tune to sit behind and long-term he will fill out the quarterback room with the potential for being a long-term, reliable backup behind Murray.

Sixth Round (213): Will Mallory, TE, Miami (FL)

Trey McBride was a second pick last year and they have Zach Ertz as well. I think Ertz could be a cap casualty next offseason as letting him go would save them $8 million in 2024. Mallory could fill the void of Maxx Williams while also having this whole season to develop behind McBride and Ertz before stepping up and becoming a stretch-tight end full-time in 2024.

Bonus: Where Did the Cardinals' 105th Overall Pick Go? To Tennessee…

Monti Ossenfort obviously came over from the Tennessee Titans, Derrick Henry is rumored to be shopped by their new front office. Single-handily kept the Titans season alive the last two years with the declined quarterback play they have experienced. Kyler Murray has had some growing pains, the Cardinals need something to keep this offense going in his absence. Acquiring him takes the pressure off the quarterbacks, and extends James Conner’s time by saving his legs, and if it doesn’t work out Henry is a free agent in 2024.

This player for the compensation mentioned just makes too much sense. There is no difference maker you can get at those picks that equals what Henry could do.

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