OT D. J. Humphries will be able to protect Carson Palmer probably better than either of their starters last year did.
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The Arizona Cardinals went into the draft needing two things: A running back who can take the workload off of oft-injured QB Carson Palmer, and an OT who can keep said QB on his feet. The Cardinals managed to fill both of those needs in the first few rounds.
The Cardinals 2015 Draft Class:
Round 1, Pick 24 – OT D. J. Humphries – A good blocker who can quickly grow into the role of starter. He fills the Cardinals’ need for a guy who can keep QB Carson Palmer upright and create some semblance of a running game for either Andre Ellington, David Johnson or maybe even Adrian Peterson should the Cardinals get him.
Round 2, Pick 58 – DE Markus Golden – Hailing from Missouri’s D-line University along with first round DE Shane Ray is Markus Golden, a less dominant but no-less physical d-lineman.
Round 3, Pick 86 – RB David Johnson – In a draft class stacked with RB talent, David Johnson has one of the easiest paths among the 3rd-7th round RBs to earn the starting job in Arizona.
Round 4, Pick 116 – DT Rodney Gunter – A small school prospect with a big body, Gunter could become compete for the starting job with the departure of DT Tommy Kelly.
Round 5, Pick 158 – DE Shaquille Riddick – It’ll be hard for Riddick to earn a roster spot with Alex Okafor and Calais Campbell in front of him.
Round 5, Pick 159 – WR J. J. Nelson – A pencil-thin receiver from UAB who wowed everyone with his speed at the NFL scouting combine. With his lack of body mass it’s hard to envision him getting a role even on special teams.
Round 7, Pick 256 – “Mr. Irrelevant” Gerald Christian – Tight end is a position of need for the Cardinals and no doubt Christian will get his opportunity to earn a job in Arizona.
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