Cards Connect 4: Doug & Wolf get ‘Bama-happy in NFL mock draft

Doug & Wolf want to attack the Arizona Cardinals’ options in the 2020 NFL Draft differently.

The No. 8 overall pick presents numerous options, and what Arizona does to follow up its first-round pick could change depending on who they select. So Doug & Wolf on Wednesday introduced “Cards Connect Four.”

They’ll pick one different first-round selection during their next four shows and make Arizona’s next three draft picks (Nos. 72, 114 and 131) based on that.

At the least, it’ll introduce different scenarios of how the Cardinals’ own dominoes will fall in the draft. Meanwhile, it’ll allow us to take a look at later-round picks who are good names to know.

Oh, and in a twist, co-host Ron Wolfley doesn’t know what picks are coming. He reacts to the moves made during each segment.

8. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Jeudy made 77 receptions for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns this year. Already an elite route-runner who smoothly gets in and out of his breaks, those attributes and more than enough speed allow him to create extra yardage after the catch as well.

A versatile outside or slot receiver, he is not the same jump-ball, contested-catch receiver as another top prospect, CeeDee Lamb, who Doug & Wolf took in the first version of Cards Connect Four.

But like Lamb, Jeudy would give quarterback Kyler Murray four reliable wideouts.

Wolf’s reaction: “I’ll be fine with Jerry Jeudy as well. This receiving corps is so rich, especially at the top. Surround this young quarterback with playmakers.”

72. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama

The 6-foot-7, 312-pound tackle has solid leverage despite his height and would compete to become a starter next to nose tackle Corey Peters and opposite free agent addition Jordan Philips. That would give Arizona a beefy interior group.

He has the tools but underwhelmed. Davis posted 47 tackles and 0.5 sacks last season, but the production tailed off in his junior and senior seasons after a 69-tackle, 8.5-sack sophomore campaign.

Wolf’s reaction: “I have no problem with that as well. A defensive lineman, once again, you’re telling me he can play a 3- or a 5-technique, correct? That’s exactly what the Arizona Cardinals need. I think it fits like a glove.”

114. Troy Pride, CB, Notre Dame

A solid athlete who plays better in man than zone, he could fit defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s system in that regard. Pride played sparingly his first two years at Notre Dame but over his last two seasons posted a combined 16 passes defensed and three interceptions with 87 tackles.

There is room for him to grow in terms of feel for some nuances of the cornerback position, specifically in reacting to receiver breaks and judging wind-up and wind-down gear-changes as to contest catches cleanly.

Wolf’s reaction: “I’m not going to rake my face on this stuff right now. I just want the best player available when you’re starting to talk about the second round, the third round, the fourth round … listen, you’ve got need and you know you’ve got needs. You’re going to rank them on a tier basis and because of that, you pick the guy that you have the need for most, as long as he’s on the same tier.”

131. Trey Adams, OT, Washington

At 6-foot-8 and 314 pounds, Adams was widely viewed as a first-round prospect after playing seven games of his junior season in 2017, but a torn ACL against Arizona State ended his year and forced him to return to school.

A back injury took Adams out of the first 10 games of 2018, however. He got healthy and ended up starting the Pac-12 Championship game to set up a full 2019 season of production.

He’s a bull with length but could struggle with speedier edge rushers. Would he be worth a gamble considering his injury history?

Wolf’s reaction: “You gamble. If you want to take a shot on a guy in the fourth round, I got no problem doing that.”

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