ARIZONA CARDINALS

Report: Keim told Quinnen Williams he might be drafted by Cardinals

Apr 25, 2019, 11:20 AM
Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, S...
Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

With all the smokescreens going around during NFL Draft season, it’s impossible to know what’s important and what’s not.

But the Arizona Cardinals reportedly telling Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams they might take him with the No. 1 pick doesn’t appear to be the latter.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Cardinals general manager Steve Keim “reached out” to Williams to tell him “he’s still a possibility to go first overall,” in Rapoport’s words.

Rapoport added that he doesn’t know if Arizona has made a decision, and if so, the team is “keeping it quiet.”

If the Cardinals do go with Williams, it would address a need on the defensive line.

Last season, Williams had 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks as he helped Alabama get to the championship game.

At the NFL Draft Combine, he ran a 4.83-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 30.5-inch vertical jump.

“Dominant defender,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said of Williams during the pre-draft process. “I know his production is moreso this year, but an interior player that is that dominating at that size has been fun to watch.”

Taking Williams would mean passing on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, who has been widely regarded as the likely No. 1 pick and a perfect option for head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense.

But Williams’ dominance in college and potential as a pro could make him too impressive of an athlete to pass up.

There’s also no ruling out this is a smokescreen to confuse opponents and potential trade suitors further. Additionally, it may simply be Keim not risking word getting out by telling a potential top prospect he’s out of the equation.

The 2019 NFL Draft will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Cardinals are on the clock first.

Arizona Cardinals

Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ mock draft scenarios: Arizona keeps the No. 3 pick

Trade the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft or keep it? That's the question Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will answer soon enough.
1 day ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the...
Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees logical landing spot for Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins

The trade speculation surrounding Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins rolls on with each passing day of the offseason.
1 day ago
Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
2 days ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2 days ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
2 days ago
Report: Keim told Quinnen Williams he might be drafted by Cardinals