ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cards Connect 4: What if DT Derrick Brown falls to No. 8?

Apr 13, 2020, 11:49 AM | Updated: 2:27 pm

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown works out during Auburn NCAA college football Pro Day Friday, March ...

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown works out during Auburn NCAA college football Pro Day Friday, March 6, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

(AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

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 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. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

At 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, the high-motor defensive tackle could be an immediate starter for the Cardinals on the interior, where he’d add even more size to a group that includes Corey Peters and free-agent addition Jordan Phillips.

Brown recorded 55 tackles, 4.0 sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior in 2019 and would be a surprise if he was still undrafted by the time Arizona was up at No. 8.

Wolf’s reaction: “Look, I love this kid and would draft him at No. 8 with a smile on my face. The negative for the most part is he’s not a great athlete. He didn’t wow the NFL at the combine. He was (a disappointment). You want top-10 dudes to be in the 85th percentile and up. His three-cone drill placed him in the third percentile among defensive tackles among the last two decades. His vertical put him at 22% at his position for the last two decades. The short shuttle … the 18th percentile. He doesn’t out-athlete the other guy, he bludgeons … he’s not a disruptor, he’s a destructor.”

72. K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State

Not the best route-runner and a guy who suffered from some drops, Hamler made 56 catches for 904 yards and eight touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore for the Nittany Lions last year. Likely to play as a slot receiver, his speed makes him a fun piece that could fit in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense in terms of pre-snap motion, but it remains to be seen if he is redundant to other Cardinals like Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella.

Wolf’s reaction: “He’s so small, that’s the knock against him. The dude measured under 5-9 at the combine and weighed 176 pounds. He’s got small hands, short arms and a small wingspan.”

114. Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State

A familiar face for the Cardinals, Benjamin raced for 1,642 yards as a sophomore in 2018 and scored 16 touchdowns.

His 5.5 yards per carry dipped to 4.3 behind a less-experience offensive line last year for the Sun Devils, but he still rushed for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Benjamin is tough for his size at 5-foot-9 and 207 pounds. He has value as a pass-catcher and would give Arizona security with a third RB behind Kenyan Drake, who is only on a one-year deal, and Chase Edmonds.

Wolf’s reaction: “This is a kid I absolutely love. He’s a football player through and through. I’m not just saying that because he goes to ASU. He’s tough, he’s determined, he’s going to hit the hole like a crazed dog. But he’ll put the ball on the ground and isn’t a take-it-to-the-house guy. He doesn’t have the elusiveness and explosiveness to make defensive coordinators strap on the Depends. But I love the kid as a tandem guy.”

131. K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson

With 72 tackles, 10 passes defensed, 2.0 sacks and two picks last season, Wallace showed out as a productive, aggressive member of the Tigers’ secondary. At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, he’s got enough size but there are worries about his coverage skills.

Wolf’s reaction: “This kid is a brawler. He’s compact and physical and plays hard. He suffers athleticially. He lacks balance, I’m told, has trouble turning and running, stiff in the hips. Although he tackles well in a phone booth, he’s not a great open-field tackler from what I’m told. I love the kid’s toughness but see him more as a box guy.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

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Cards Connect 4: What if DT Derrick Brown falls to No. 8?