NFL mock draft: Cardinals face conundrum

Unlike the 2018 NFL Draft, when the Cleveland Browns kept us guessing until practically draft night, the first overall pick seems to have been preordained for months. There remain whispers about whether ownership is on board, and as long as the Arizona Cardinals still have Josh Rosen on their roster, we can't be absolutely certain first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury will draft his former high school recruit, Kyler Murray, with the top pick. But for now, there's no reason to expect a late surprise - on that would set off an entirely different chain of events. Even with Murray penciled in at No. 1, it's anybody's guess where the other top quarterbacks wind up. 1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma The importance of Murray's mobility in Kingsbury's offense is overstated, but if you're going to hire an offensive coach, why not let him pick his quarterback? 2. San Francisco 49ers: DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State Acquiring Dee Ford won't change the 49ers' approach here -- Bosa is a perfect complement, as a bigger, powerful end who can win outside and inside as a rusher while also stopping the run. 3. New York Jets: DT Ed Oliver, Houston The Jets desperately wish to trade down, and most have Quinnen Williams or Josh Allen here if they stay, but don't rule out roll the dice on Oliver's unique athleticism. 4. Oakland Raiders: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama Josh Allen or Devin White could be in play here, but Williams is the best player on the board. A potential shocker cannot be ruled out: Drew Lock. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Devin White, LSU With Josh Allen still available, this is tricky. While the Bucs need more edge rush, Todd Bowles' scheme creates pressure via blitzes, and White is a classic modern-day linebacker who can blitz, cover and play the run. 6. New York Giants: OLB Josh Allen, Kentucky Dave Gettleman is never shy about taking the best player available, glaring hole at quarterback be damned. 7. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida T.J. Hockenson would be an option, but Taylor makes too much sense. He fills the Jags' hole at right tackle perfectly, as a mauler who excels in a power run game. 8. Detroit Lions: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa Rashan Gary or Montez Sweat could make sense, but Matt Patricia's defense doesn't prioritize edge rushers. Instead, the Lions grab a two-way tight end after nearly trading for Rob Gronkowski last year. 9. Buffalo Bills: DE Rashan Gary, Michigan The Bills addressed a bunch of spots in free agency so they could take the top player on their board. They might hope Hockenson is still there, but with him gone, they grab one of the draft's best athletes. 10. Denver Broncos: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State Many believe the Broncos are targeting a second- or third-tier quarterback to develop behind Joe Flacco. Would Haskins slipping to No. 10 change their mind? 11. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Drew Lock, Missouri This would be bold for a notably conservative organization, but if Zac Taylor wants to pick his QB, it's hard to argue against him. Devin Bush would be in play if it's not a QB. 12. Green Bay Packers: OL Jonah Williams, Alabama The Packers added Billy Turner in free agency, but Williams could be an upgrade at left guard over Lane Taylor while serving as insurance and the successor to oft-injured right tackle Bryan Bulaga. 13. Miami Dolphins: OT Andre Dillard, Washington State Miami let Ja'Wuan James walk and hasn't replaced him, so Dillard (or Williams or Cody Ford) could fill the hole at right tackle. Clelin Ferrell would also be a perfect fit in Brian Flores' defense. 14. Atlanta Falcons: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson Wilkins would slot in next to fellow Clemson product Grady Jarrett inside as a disruptive penetrator with terrific character. 15. Washington Redskins: DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State With some concerned about his heart issue, Sweat slides a tad, and Washington nabs a dynamic rusher opposite Ryan Kerrigan. 16. Carolina Panthers: DE Brian Burns, Florida State Julius Peppers is finally retired, and Bruce Irvin isn't the answer. Burns can threaten early as a situational rusher while adding power to be a full-time starter down the line. 17. New York Giants (from Cleveland): QB Daniel Jones, Duke If the Giants don't love any of the top quarterbacks but -- as believed -- like Jones, it would be sensible to wait and see if he reaches No. 17. 18. Minnesota Vikings: OL Chris Lindstrom, Boston College The Vikings might prefer a left tackle -- which would bump Riley Reiff to left guard -- but with Williams and Dillard gone, they take perhaps the draft's best interior lineman. 19. Tennessee Titans: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma The Titans' offense needs an injection of speed, and nobody in this draft has more of it than Brown. Lindstrom would also be in consideration if available. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Devin Bush, Michigan Bush could land closer to the top 10, but if he slips this far, Pittsburgh should pounce. The Steelers have needed speed at inside linebacker since Ryan Shazier's injury. 21. Seattle Seahawks: DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson The Seahawks likely hope to trade down, as is their norm in Round 1, but more help on the edge makes sense with Frank Clark's future unclear. 22. Baltimore Ravens: C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M A solid, scheme-versatile pivot, McCoy might fit the Ravens better than Garrett Bradbury, who played in a predominant outside-zone scheme at NC State. 23. Houston Texans: CB Byron Murphy, Washington With Taylor, Dillard and Williams gone, Houston opts to wait on offensive tackle and reinforce a weakened secondary instead. 24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago): TE Noah Fant, Iowa While the Raiders need more reinforcements on defense, Jared Cook's departure leaves the team with no receiving threat at tight end. Jon Gruden can't help himself. 25. Philadelphia Eagles: C Garrett Bradbury, NC State If Bradbury reaches 25, I love this pick. He would provide insurance for Brandon Brooks (torn Achilles) at right guard and eventually take over at the pivot when Jason Kelce retires. 26. Indianapolis Colts: WR D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi Metcalf has a wide range of possible landing spots, but his combination of size and speed would make sense for Indy if he gets this far. 27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas): CB DeAndre Baker, Georgia I could see Gruden gambling on Jeffery Simmons, but since the Raiders already nabbed a defensive tackle in Quinnen Williams, they opt for a cornerback here. 28. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson The Chargers re-signed Brandon Mebane, but he's 34 and got only a two-year deal. Lawrence would immediately fortify the run defense, with pocket-pushing potential down the line. 29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Greedy Williams, LSU Don't be shocked if they pick a wideout, but with the value not lining up here, the Chiefs add much-needed help to the secondary. 30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans): DB Darnell Savage, Maryland A late riser, Savage can play all over the place -- single-high, two-deep, in the box or over the slot -- making him a perfect fit in Mike Pettine's scheme. 31. Los Angeles Rams: OL Cody Ford, Oklahoma L.A. lost interior linemen Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan and has yet to replace them. Ford would compete at left guard, perhaps starting from Day 1. 32. New England Patriots: TE Irv Smith Jr., Alabama Smith is a better blocker on the move than inline, so the offense would require some adaptation, but he's a dangerous receiver who thrives after the catch, which is critical in Josh McDaniels' horizontal passing game. --David DeChant, Field Level Media