2020 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals got steals on the defensive line
The Arizona Cardinals got a couple of steals on the defensive line in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 2020 NFL Draft for the Arizona Cardinals was really all about their top three picks making an instant impact, and they certainly accomplished that.
After trading their second-round pick for superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals spent their top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Clemson’s versatile Isaiah Simmons, one of the most freakish athletes in this draft class who is truly the most versatile weapon coming from the college ranks in the last decade, at least.
They followed up the pick of Simmons in round one by stealing Houston’s Josh Jones in the third round, a player many predicted would go in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Cardinals, especially when you factor in the pick traded for DeAndre Hopkins (and the return of a fourth-rounder along with it) had one of the best offseasons in the entire NFL.
Cardinals 2020 NFL Draft haul
- LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
- WR DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans (trade)
- OT Josh Jones, Houston
- DL Leki Fotu, Utah
- DL Rashard Lawrence, LSU
- LB Evan Weaver, California
- RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
Arizona actually got tremendous value with every single one of their selections, including seventh-round pick Eno Benjamin who could have easily gone in the early portion of the fourth round.
But the value they got on the defensive line in this group with Leki Fotu (Utah) and Rashard Lawrence (LSU) in the fourth round is perhaps the most underrated piece of this draft class for Arizona.
After signing Jordan Phillips away from the Buffalo Bills in free agency, the Cardinals still clearly had some work to do on their defensive front as a whole.
Leki Fotu, their top choice on the defensive line, is a monstrous player on the interior with a 6-foot-5, 330-pound frame.
He will be the type of player who can occupy blockers on the interior and make plays against the run for the Cardinals, and especially when he’s used in tandem with Jordan Phillips, he should help give opposing teams serious fits with their size, length, strength, and effort on the inside.
Speaking of effort, the Cardinals’ selection of Rashard Lawrence was another one that should pay some immediate dividends.
Although Lawrence has more of a ‘square’ build compared to Fotu, he has incredibly long arms for his 6-foot-2 frame at 34 1/8 inch and 11-inch hands.
He has really good hand strength and get-off, and although he got engulfed at times at LSU, he made a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage these past couple of seasons at LSU and batted down six passes with his long arms and big hands.
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Together, these two players may not play starter snaps in 2020 but they will be able to make an impact for Arizona’s revamped and talented defense for the low, low price of fourth-round picks.