NFL Draft 2013: Arizona Cardinals Select Jonathan Cooper No. 7 Overall
By Josh Hill
Arizona went on the clock after we had seen a run on offensive lineman. Three of the top five offensive lineman were selected before the Cardinals went on the clock at seventh overall, but despite the potential to trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cardinals made their first round selection without trading for Branden Albert. That’s still a possibility at this point, as the Cardinals would have needed a tackle regardless of who they selected, but while that trade remains an option, the Cardinals focus is on their new draft pick: Jonathan Cooper
Some thought that the Cardinals would take a quarterback with this pick, but they traded for Carson Palmer and appear to be content moving forward with him. Regardless of who is under center, the notion was that the Cardinals needed to upgrade their offensive line, as the unit in it’s current form couldn’t protect a veteran let alone a rookie who with no knowledge about the league.
Bruce Arians is entering his first year as a head coach and knew he needed to get a guy to make sure whoever is taking snaps will be protected, and Cooper is perhaps the best offensive guard in the entire draft.
The NFL Draft is just getting started, so be sure to stay tuned to FanSided all weekend long to get the most up to date info on everything that happens at Radio City Music Hall.