The State of the Cardinals:
The Cardinals enter the 2022 season as a team seemingly progressing towards a deep playoff push, but uncertainty is abound. It will be the fourth year of Kliff Kingsbury’s tenure that has seen an increase in wins each season, but late season woes and disappointing finishes as well. They have also yet to extend their young quarterback Kyler Murray, causing him to show frustration in the public. With an aging group of skill position players, they will look to fortify their future.
#23 Overall
London lacks explosive speed and quickness, but his hands, size, basketball-level athleticism, and natural feel for the receiver position should make him an impact player in the NFL at multiple levels of the field.
London gives the Cardinals another big play receiver that could take their offense to the next level.
Burks will have to improve as a sharp route separator as his tree expands moving forward, but his body control, catching skills, and competitive speed make him an impact player at all levels of the field.
Burks is a big-bodied playmaker that fits well and will be an impact blocker for Kingsbury’s offense.
Trevor Penning – OT – Northern Iowa
Penning is a physically dominant and imposing run blocker with an ideal frame for an NFL tackle, but he needs to keep developing his hand use and improve his pad level to round out his overall profile taking the big step up in competition.
Penning’s size, athleticism, and demeanor give him tremendous potential, and after he gains some refinement, he can take over at either tackle or guard spot.
#55 Overall
Trey McBride – TE – Colorado State
McBride has the hands, catch radius and body control as a receiver with the willingness and competitiveness as a blocker to start at the next level, but inconsistent separation skills and run block effectiveness could hold him back.
McBride is a ready to play prospect that can help this team win now and is a natural to take over for Zach Ertz.
Jackson has the physical profile and energy of a potential starter, but he needs technical refinement of his quality tools to reach a consistent three-down level of development.
With Markus Golden getting older and Chandler Jones moving on, Jackson is a player that can contribute some this year and could be a potential impact rusher.
#87 Overall
Bonitto is an athletic, rangy, bendy pass rusher who should excel at getting to the passer with his lack of strength and run game stoutness limiting him to just third downs early in his career at the next level.
If the Cardinals wait on an Edge, Bonitto is a pass rush specialist that could fill the role vacated by Chandler Jones.
Isaiah Likely – TE – Coastal Carolina
Likely is a unique hybrid tight end with the athletic, receiving skills needed to pose a threat to defenses, but he’ll need to improve as a standard blocker to become a complete player.
With no clear tight end of the future on the roster, Likely gives them an explosive playmaker that could develop into a well-rounded, top-tier player.
Dulcich isn’t the shiftiest route runner or most technically refined run blocker, but he’s a converted wide receiver with good competitive toughness and the strong all-around skill set of a potential starter.
Dulcich is a weapon in the pass game that can model himself after Ertz.
To learn more about the Cardinals and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.
