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Let’s openly ponder 5 players the Cardinals could draft in the first round

By Rucker Haringey

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Linebacker Josh Allen of Kentucky works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Linebacker Josh Allen of Kentucky works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Josh Allen

Every team in the NFL wants to add pass rushers during the draft and the Cardinals are no exception. Allen is a player who figures to provide a lot of value in that department at the next level.

Some might think the team’s decision to add Terrell Suggs in free agency will take them out of the market for an outside linebacker like Allen. In reality, Suggs would be the perfect mentor for a young player like Allen. It’s also possible that Suggs, Chandler Jones and Allen could all rush the passer together on obvious passing downs.

Allen figures to go in the top five because of his rare combination of production and potential. He notched 17 sacks for a really tough Kentucky defense last season. Finishing fourth in the nation in that category playing as an outside linebacker got Allen a lot of well-deserved attention from scouts.

Allen would be a bold choice for the Cardinals at No. 1 because they do have competent players at his position, but he is one of the guys in the draft with the most upside. At the very least, expect Kingsbury and his coaching staff to take a long look at Allen during the pre-draft process.

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