If the Arizona Cardinals keep this pick, it’s essentially a two-man race for the No. 1 overall pick, unless you believe there’s any merit to the Kyler Murray-Josh Rosen swap rumors.
If you ask me, I don’t think it’s realistic, nor smart of the Cardinals to give up on Rosen so early, after he flashed franchise quarterback qualities on a weekly basis last year, despite being thrust into one of the worst offensive situations in the NFL. So with quarterback off the table, there are two players to watch for No. 1 overall pick candidacy: Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa, and Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
The Cardinals, to put it lightly, need help all across their defensive line. Aside from Chandler Jones on the edge, there is little to be confident about. Robert Nkemdiche’s future with the team is very cloudy, as the former first-round pick has undergone almost no development in Arizona, and Corey Peters, their other interior defensive line starter, is primarily a run defender who’ll turn 31 years old this offseason.
Now, the Cardinals, who’ve been starved of line talent, suddenly have the opportunity to take one of the two best prospects in a line heavy NFL Draft. It’s almost too good to pass up.
Bosa could be the pick here with his all-around prowess, but with Jones already on the edge for Arizona, and with no surefire starter to compliment him on the interior, Quinnen Williams, perhaps the biggest riser of the 2019 NFL Draft, becomes the pick.
To accurately describe Williams’ potential, think back to recent Alabama defensive linemen, such as Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Dashawn Hand. Standing at 6-foot-3, 285, Williams has the highest upside of all of them, as well as one of the highest floors. It’s hard to find a weakness in Williams’ game, as the redshirt sophomore has the power, quickness, athleticism, and hand speed to dominate opposing offensive linemen.
Bosa’s injury in his final collegiate season also led to Williams edging him out for the No. 1 pick. But don’t worry. Bosa won’t fall far.