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Arizona Cardinals 2020 full NFL Mock Draft

By Logan Jakubajtys

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 15: Jedrick Wills Jr. #74 of the Alabama Crimson Tide guards during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 15: Jedrick Wills Jr. #74 of the Alabama Crimson Tide guards during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 21: Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. #6 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tackles running back Kavosiey Smoke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 21: Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. #6 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tackles running back Kavosiey Smoke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

Third Round

Scouting Report. Willie Gay Jr.. 72. player. 893. Pick Analysis. LB. Mississippi State

The Arizona Cardinals could use some depth at linebacker. They will line up some solid players, including pass rusher Chandler Jones, in 2020, but the depth pieces are nothing special.

NCAA violations pertaining to an academic tutor and a reported fight between Willie Gay Jr. and starting quarterback Garrett Shrader late in the year limited him to just five games in 2019. In 2018, Gay posted 48 stops, 5.5 for loss, five sacks and two interceptions in 13 games with six starts and he was trending upwards.

In terms of football ability, Gay has experience in all linebacker roles, but will likely miss the cut as a middle linebacker in the NFL. He is energetic, and makes his presence on the field known throughout the game. When Gay squares and attacks ball-carriers he is a hard but clean hitter. He lacks play speed and does not always take the ideal angles, and will need to find a way to better those aspects of his game to make an impact.

Currently, Gay’s special teams roles seem limited, so developing his skills as a defender will be crucial to him making a roster, even one like the Cardinals that could use his help.

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