ESPN’s McShay has OU’s Brown going to Cardinals in latest mock
Feb 6, 2018, 7:25 AM
Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown (78) looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma won 34-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
By now, everyone on the planet knows the Arizona Cardinals need a quarterback.
With Carson Palmer’s retirement, and Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert and Matt Barkley all set to become free agents next month, the Cardinals don’t have a quarterback on their 2018 roster.
But that’s not the only spot Arizona needs to beef up this offseason. The offensive line was bruised and battered in 2017, and also needs help, so using the 15th overall draft pick on a lineman is a viable option for general manager Steve Keim come April.
ESPN’s Todd McShay, at least right now, agrees. In his second mock draft of the season, the analyst has the Cardinals selecting Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown with their first-round pick.
The Cardinals seem likely to add a quarterback in free agency, but if they don’t and one of the top four QBs is available here, they’d have to consider taking him. If QB isn’t an option, cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson and offensive line should be the two target areas. Brown would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle for Arizona. He’s overpowering and a nasty run-blocker. Plus, it takes a $20 cab ride to get around him as a pass-rusher.
Brown was named a unanimous First-Team All-American his junior season in Norman, helping the Sooners to a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoffs. He started all 40 games in his career at left tackle, protecting Baker Mayfield’s blind side.
Brown stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 345 pounds. Many experts, including McShay, think he may be a better fit at right tackle in the NFL, which seems to work for Arizona, who have 2015 first-round pick D.J. Humphries at left tackle. Incumbent right tackle Jared Veldheer is coming off an ankle injury that shortened his 2017 season, which started with the veteran mulling retirement during training camp. Veldheer has announced his intentions to play in 2018, but the Cardinals could save nearly $7 million by releasing him.
McShay’s latest mock projects Brown as the third offensive lineman off the board behind Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson (11th to Miami) and Texas tackle Connor Williams (12th to Cincinnati).
Why not a quarterback in the first round? McShay has four quarterbacks (Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Mayfield and Josh Allen) going in the first six picks of the draft.
Check out all the projections that matter in our 2018 Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Tracker.
