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2014 NFL Draft grades: Arizona Cardinals select Deone Bucannon

By Andrew Melnick

Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon during the second half against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cougars 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon during the second half against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cougars 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon during the second half against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cougars 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon during the second half against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cougars 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 27th overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals former Washington State Cougars’ safety Deone Bucannon.

The Cardinals held the 23rd overall pick but traded it to the New Orleans Saints for this pick and the Saints’ third-round pick, 91st overall.

The Cardinals are in obvious need of a quarterback and must have at least considered former Louisville Cardinals’ quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and former Fresno State Bulldogs’ quarterback Derek Carr.

However, the Cardinals, despite having a very solid collection of defensive backs with Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu and the newly signed Antonio Cromartie, had a need at safety.

Bucannon has fantastic size at 6’1 and 211 pounds and has been a fast riser as of late. It may be a little bit of a surprise that he was selected into the first round, but there has been chatter that he could slide into the first round. He will probably spend more time playing in the box because he is a physical player, but with the defensive backs the Cardinals already have, that should work out just fine.

Grade: B

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