McShay’s ‘way-too-early’ mock draft has Cardinals taking OT in 2018
May 4, 2017, 7:04 PM | Updated: May 5, 2017, 8:33 am
Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey, left, tries to hold back Southern California defensive back Leon McQuay III during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Los Angeles. USC won 45-27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fresh off of the 2017 NFL Draft, it is indeed way too early to know what the Cardinals will do with their picks next year. But that hasn’t stopped some from creating their ‘way-too-early’ mock drafts.
One of those comes from ESPN’s Todd McShay, who released his premature picks on Thursday. He seems to think the Cardinals will select an offensive tackle, one Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame.
No. 23 – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Cardinals will probably be in the QB market, but I’m not comfortable putting a name here that I’ll regret three weeks from now, when I actually have time to watch the tape (as was the case with Mitch Leidner last year). McGlinchey had a chance to be a first-rounder this season, but he opted to return to school.
The 6-foot-8, 312-pound McGlinchey has 38 college games under his belt, and was a third-team All-American last year.
But the Cardinals probably will be in the QB market, as they were thought to be this year but nonetheless picked a linebacker with their No. 13 selection. But we know that positional need doesn’t necessarily dictate how a team uses its pick, and who’s remaining on the board has a lot to do with it.
Plus, it remains to be seen which pick Arizona will have next year. McShay seems to think the Cardinals will do relatively well, since he has them drafting in the latter third of the first round. And let’s not forget that Arizona did pick up Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight and is rumored to be kicking the tires on Blaine Gabbert, so there’s at least some outside chance that they fill the QB void before they even get to the draft (but it’s certainly not likely).
But, why draft for the O-line?
Many consider the offensive line to be an area of need for Arizona. The Cardinals added some pieces during and after this year’s draft to improve their inventory at that position, drafting Dorian Johnson and Will Holden and signing undrafted free agents Lucas Crowley and Jonathan McLaughlin.
McGlinchey could be a good fit for Arizona if those guys don’t pan out to the Cardinals’ liking.
