Eric SorensonThe Arizona Cardinals have already added a pair of quarterbacks in veterans Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon this off-season. Could a third be added to the nest in the coming weeks via the NFL Draft which starts April 26 in Dallas?
The 2018 QB class, on paper, appears to be the strongest in years with a number of possible franchise quarterbacks expected to go off the board early.
Presently the Cards sit with the 15th pick near the middle of the first round and according to one draft expert, could be primed to land the most dynamic signal-caller in the draft.
Pro Football Focus and Pro Football College Senior Analyst Steve Palazzolo has Arizona selecting Louisville’s Lamar Jackson in his latest mock draft.
“The thing I keep coming back to with Lamar,” Palazzolo said to Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a recent interview. “You have to understand his strengths and weaknesses. The obvious strength is the athleticism. But he can also make NFL throws.”
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 30, 2018
Jackson’s biggest weakness, according to Palazzolo, is accuracy. The dual-threat quarterback isn’t “the most polished passer” but it’s hard to overlook his athleticism and play-making ability, particularly when the pocket collapses and he is pressured.
Lamar Jackson is a playmaker pic.twitter.com/vWAdUN2cJ7
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 27, 2018
“There’s an offense to built around him,” Palazzolo explained to Cesmat. “If you’re willing to build an offense around him, let him run a little bit. Build play-action off that to create some easy throws.”
Moving On Up?
There has been some speculation the Cards could be in the market to trade up in hopes of landing Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or Wyoming’s Josh Allen who is scheduled to visit the Valley later this week.
Palazzolo says buyer beware.
“The risk there is if you’re the Cardinals or the Bills or any team trading up,” “Is just understanding that your roster is probably going to get worse before it gets better. For the most part when you make that move, you give up future first-round picks. You give up a lot of your draft capital. The roster is going to get worse before it gets better.”
