2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold replaces Eli Manning in New York

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold replaces Eli Manning

By Brad Weiss | Dec 6, 2017

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) points to the sidelines during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats and the USC Trojans on November 4, 2017, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 25: Texas Longhorn tackle Connor Williams (55) (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Connor Williams

Offensive Tackle, Texas

The Arizona Cardinals played without Adrian Peterson this past weekend, as they lost a rough one to the Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals came into the 2017 season with high expectations, but a season-ending injury to star running back David Johnson has really ruined their plans. Arizona also lost starting quarterback Carson Palmer for the season, leaving them pretty shorthanded on the offensive side of the ball all season long.

When it comes time for the Cardinals to draft in the first round next year, they certainly could go after a quarterback. Palmer is likely to retire, but with Larry Fitzgerald coming back, he could come back for one more season. With their first round pick in 2018, I like the Cardinals to draft an offensive lineman, and Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams looks to be a good one.

Williams has already declared for the 2018 NFL Draft, so there is no guessing when it comes to his draft status. The stud lineman has had to deal with knee injuries this season, but that should not affect where he gets drafted next April. The Cardinals need to build a solid line in front of Johnson, because it is pretty clear they are a much-worse team without him toting the rock than they are with him in the fold.

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