Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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General Manager Steve Keim did an impressive job filling needs to begin the league year, as there are no longer any glaring holes in the starting lineup. He will aim to supplement the roster in the draft, beginning with the No. 8 overall selection. The Cardinals are without their second-rounder because of the DeAndre Hopkins trade, but did pick up an additional fourth in the deal. We will break down each position group heading into the draft, which will be held April 23-25.
Draft primer: Wide receiver
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The Cardinals' situation: The Cardinals needed to fill their outside receiver void this offseason and did so with a bang by trading for DeAndre Hopkins. He has been an All-Pro for three consecutive seasons and now joins Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald as one of the most dangerous receiving trios in the NFL. None of the team's wide receiver draft picks from a year ago made a big impact as a rookie, so this is a crucial year for Andy Isabella, KeeSean Johnson and Hakeem Butler.
The draft class: This is regarded as one of the deepest wide receiver crops in recent memory. There are three wideouts – CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs – projected to go in the top half of the first round. If the Cardinals take one of the blue-chip prospects, they will have an embarrassment of riches at the position, and Kliff Kingsbury would likely return to his '10' personnel roots. There will also be wide receiver options later in the draft if the Cardinals want to pile up more depth.
The conclusion: The Cardinals have three very good options and three more young draft picks, so the room doesn't need help. However, the draft is so deep at wide receiver that a best-player-available scenario could develop, and Steve Keim could take one anyway. If the Cardinals don't select a pass-catcher, the deep talent pool will still help, because it means more players at other positions will be available.
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