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Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft: Retooling the Roster Around Franchise QB Kyler Murray

By Hunter Haas

Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 16, 2019; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Nick Broeker (64) lines up against the Louisiana State Tigers in the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2019; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Nick Broeker (64) lines up against the Louisiana State Tigers in the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3, Pick 97: Nick Broeker, OL, Ole Miss

The Cardinals must address the interior of the offensive line multiple times in the 2023 NFL Draft. I know some Arizona fans were getting nervous seeing the first couple of picks of this mock draft, but the depth in the middle-to-late rounds allows the Cardinals to wait. The wait ends at No. 97, as Arizona gets protection for Kyler Murray.

Nick Broeker is an interesting o-line option if available. The Ole Miss offensive lineman started his career as a left tackle and performed extremely well. In 2021, Broeker only allowed two sacks all season in a pass-happy Lane Kiffin scheme. He kicked inside to left guard in 2022 and again led the unit.

Broeker’s positional versatility is valuable to an NFL franchise. The Cardinals have DJ Humphries entrenched at left tackle, and with a dead cap of $24.75 million in 2024, he is unlikely to go anywhere. However, Humphries only appeared in eight games in 2022 and isn’t getting any younger.

Josh Jones currently fills in for Humphries at left tackle, but moving him over to right tackle full-time in 2023 would be a wise move. Broeker can step in and start at either guard spot as a rookie, while also giving the Cardinals insurance at both tackle positions — for the present and the future.

Broeker’s high character, relentless motor, and experience in passing down sets will allow him to integrate into the NFL way of life. By the time the 2023 NFL Draft rolls around, Broeker could be gone by this point of the mock draft.

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