The Arizona Cardinals need help in the trenches. The team ranked 21st in total defense this past season, giving up 342.5 yards per game. Two years ago, Arizona was 30th in the league with 33 sacks. Iprovements were made and the Cards moved up to 13th with 41 sacks this past year. The team signed Josh Sweat in free agency to help bolster their edge position. However, you can never have enough players getting pressure on the QB.
The Cardinals catch a break in this mock draft getting a nice value in Georgia's Mykel Williams. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 260 pounds, Williams possesses the prototypical size and athleticism desired in an NFL edge defender. His impressive arm length and wingspan contribute to his effectiveness in disrupting offensive plays. While his college production was modest, partly due to Georgia's rotational system and a mid-season ankle injury, Williams showcased elite run-stopping abilities and has significant potential for growth as a pass rusher.
Williams is also versatile, meaning he can play in various defensive alignments. He has strong leadership and a high motor to go along with his physical gifts. His skill set should allow him to be plugged in immediately in the Cardinals' rotation and be a future center piece in the defense. Josh Sweat's contract gets expensive after
two seasons. If Williams develops, he could be a nice replacement for Sweat two years from now. Williams' raw talent and physical attributes offer a high ceiling, making him a worthwhile investment for the Cardinals.
This being said, late rumors are placing Mykel into the top-10 on Thursday Night! Stay tuned.
Jonah Anderson, Senior Drafttek Analyst