2018 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals 7-round mock
By Conor Dorney
Finally, a quarterback! It happens to be later than most are expecting but, nonetheless, the Cards pull the trigger in the third round with the selection of Western Kentucky gunslinger Mike White.
A former baseball player, White has the best arm strength of any quarterback in this class not named Josh Allen. He admittedly didn’t have a great 2017 campaign, but it’s important to note just how much talent the Hilltoppers lost on the offensive side of the ball in the 2017 draft.
White has the size (6-foot-4 and 225 pounds) that GM Steve Keim and company seem to look for in their quarterbacks and if they acquire next season’s starter in free agency or trade, White would have time to develop in Mike McCoy’s offense.
He’s a bit of a statue in the pocket but if the Cards are able to protect and surround him with offensive weapons, he certainly has the potential to be a starting-caliber quarterback at the NFL level.
Whomever the Cardinals decide to roll out as their starting quarterback in 2018, it won’t matter at all if they aren’t able to protect him.
With A.Q. Shipley scheduled to hit free agency following next season, Michigan’s Mason Cole is a versatile offensive line prospect with the potential to eventually replace him. Cole played all over the Wolverines’ line during his college career, starting every game last season at left tackle.
Cole has good athleticism and experience playing tackle and center to fill in as a reserve next season, with a long-term plan to replace Shipley in 2019 and beyond.