Complete 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft for the Arizona Cardinals

Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images
Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images /
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Derrick Brown 2020 NFL mock draft
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images /

8. player. 842. IDL. Auburn. Derrick Brown. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

If the Arizona Cardinals stand pat at No. 8, I expect them to go in one of three directions with the pick. Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, Clemson defensive superstar Isaiah Simmons or one of the top-tier offensive tackles. In this 2020 NFL mock draft, Simmons and two of the four premier offensive tackles were off of the board. In this scenario, Brown certainly makes the most sense for this team.

Brown is a big and powerful interior defensive lineman who absolutely dominates at the point of attack. He shows extremely strong and quick hands, digs in and anchors at an extremely high level and is extremely quick for such a big man. Brown is the best two-gap defensive lineman in this draft class and has plenty of one-gap penetration upside as well. He is a guy who could come in and immediately clean up some of their issues on the defensive side of the ball.

player. 892. Scouting Report. Matt Peart. 72. OT. UConn. Pick Analysis

While offensive tackle is a need for this team, it is not a desperate immediate need. Their current starting tackle duo of D.J. Humphries and Marcus Gilbert is solid, as long as they can both stay healthy. The Arizona Cardinals could easily look to acquire a more long-term solution at offensive tackle, as opposed to spending a first-round pick on the position.

In this 2020 NFL mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals use their third-round pick select former UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart. While he is not ready to come in and compete for a starting spot right away, Peart shows impressive natural athleticism for an offensive lineman and a ton of pass protection upside. He needs to clean up his technique a bit, but Peart is a perfect project offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals to bring in and work with.