NFL Draft 2019: Arizona Cardinals 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 4 – Pick 103
Germaine Pratt, LB, North Carolina State
Here is another pick that I expect to look foolish around March. Germaine Pratt from North Carolina State is the type of linebacker that will dominate the combine and be a riser come close to draft time. With Vance Joseph taking over defensive duties, the Cardinals will look to continue to get more speed and instinctual players on the field. They have not been afraid to try their hands at linebacker with converted safeties. Pratt is a former safety who played sparingly in 2017 then took over as a full time starter last season. He is an instinctual player in both his run fills and pass coverage. If the NFL playoffs are evident of anything it is that linebackers that cannot cover simply do not have an important role in today’s NFL.
For Arizona he could enter the lineup with Deone Buchanon leaving and fill that important pass coverage role,and improve this defense immediately. The Cardinals have talent on defense with Chandler Jones, Patrick Peterson, Buddha Baker and others. Pratt would enter the fold and could have a Fred Warner type impact in year one and build on that for years to come.
Round 5 – Pick 140
Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss
One way to help a young quarterback, aside from the aforementioned bolstering of the offensive line, is to get him some safety blankets. The selection of Hakeem Butler in round three will help but a tight end could really elevate Josh Rosen. Enter Ole Miss’ Dawson Knox. The athletic tight end fits the mold of what teams are looking for at the position, especially in Kingsbury modern, spread offense. Knox will get knocked for his lack of production but the Rebels offense simply under-utilized him. Playing with D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown and Damarkus Lodge, Knox was the fourth banana. He is another player like Pratt that can put on a show in Indianapolis. Knox may not be the best blocker but he is a fantastic pass catcher, with athletic feet that can play the seam stretching role that is critical in today’s NFL. This draft is about making life easy for Josh Rosen, and Knox will do that.