2018 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals 7-round mock

FRISCO, TX - DECEMBER 20: Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Courtland Sutton (16) warms up prior to the DXL Frisco Bowl game between the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and SMU Mustangs on December 20, 2017 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Defensive back Isaiah Oliver #26 of the Colorado Buffaloes encourages the crowd to make noise during the first quarter of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Folsom Field on November 3, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Justin Bethel and Tramon Williams are both slated to hit free agency, meaning the Cardinals could look to get younger at the position in an especially-strong defensive backs class.

Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver has reportedly gotten some first-round consideration from a number of teams, but he makes sense for Arizona at this spot in the middle of the second round.

Oliver took over as the star of a Buffaloes secondary that lost a number of players to the NFL Draft in 2017, recording 26 tackles, two interceptions and 12 pass defenses. His deep speed and length (33 1/2-inch arms) make him a great press cover corner and he uses his physicality to routinely challenge receivers off the line of scrimmage. At times, Oliver struggles to tackle in run support and will likely need to get stronger in that area before he regularly sees the field in the NFL.

While he probably doesn’t have the ceiling of his former Buffaloes teammates Ahkello Witherspoon and Chidobe Awuzie, Oliver has plenty of tools to work with and there’s reason to believe he could eventually be a valuable starting corner opposite Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals can afford to be patient with him early on and with Steve Wilks’ history of developing defensive backs, Arizona would be thrilled to get a player of his potential in the second round.

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