Ok, here we go.
The Gambo 5 has a pretty good track record from its inception when we not only nailed Haason Reddick in the first round of the 2017 draft but Budda Baker in the second round.
The following year we said that Josh Rosen was the only quarterback they would make a move for. We did not do one for 2019 knowing Kyler Murray was the pick and with the first pick having five guys seemed like overkill. We went back to back with Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins not only as part of the Gambo 5 but also as the pick Arizona would make.
Hey this stuff aint easy! But this year, more than any other year I was reluctant to put one together because I just cannot get a good feel for who will be there at No. 23. My initial thought is that Arizona wants to make a trade, most likely down where they can get an extra pick or even trade No. 23 for a player.
But it takes two to make a deal and while I am leaning trade for the Cardinals, we do have five players we believe will be in play if they stay at No. 23. Now, there’s a good chance 2-3 maybe even four of these guys are gone when they pick.
Like I said, hard to know who will be there. You also don’t want to just pick guys that are projected at 23, because someone almost always falls. I usually guarantee the Cardinals will pick one of the 5 guys I mention but no guarantees this year. Just hunches based on information gathered over the last month or so.
Here goes nothing:
1) Texas A&M OG Kenyon Green
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Cardinals have two offensive linemen under contract for next year in center Rodney Hudson and G/T Josh Jones. They have to be considering OL and there are some good players in this draft that could be there at No. 23. I had it down to Tyler Linderbaum, the center from Iowa, and Kenyon Green, a tackle who can play guard from Texas A&M. I am going with Green because he is versatile enough to play a few different spots.
2) Penn State WR Jahan Dotson
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
I expect several receivers off the board by No. 23 including Jameson Williams, Drake London and Garrett Wilson. Chris Olave might be gone too but not sure. Treylon Burks may be there but I don’t see him as the pick. So in process of elimination, I would expect they take Dotson over Burks or Olave if all three are on the board.
3) Florida CB Kaiir Elam
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
I want to have one solid corner I think will be there and Elam is that guy. Now, he could be perfect for trading down a few spots and still getting.
4) Washington CB Trent McDuffie
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
I do not think he will be there but if he falls I can see Arizona getting the talented corner out of Washington. Most people expect Arizona to go offense with this pick considering they went defense the last two but a shutdown corner in a league that is always throwing 3-4 wide receiver sets at you is important. McDuffie should be in play if he falls to 23.
5) Georgia DT Jordan Davis
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
I have not seen him falling to No. 23 anywhere but I am going to include the outstanding defensive tackle out of Georgia because I have to have someone who can help Arizona up front on that D-line. I do not see Purdue pass rusher George Karlaftis as an option for the Cardinals.
While I think Karlaftis will be there, I would rather take the chance of Davis falling than picking him. This pick is the one I have the least belief in because I just do not see him being there but I’ll roll the dice anyways. Arizona needs an EDGE rusher but the best ones will be gone by No. 23. It’s supposedly deep at that position, so Arizona may be able to get one in the second or third round.