In the first round of the NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals have mostly been connected with pass rushers and, to a lesser extent, in a potential trade back from the No. 3 overall picks, cornerbacks.
However, as the draft approaches this week, the Cardinals’ true target may have been revealed.
According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, they have real interest in Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski.
We’ve all mocked Anderson or Wilson to the Cards for a while, but if they are truly looking for big-time offensive line reinforcements, could they slide back and take Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski? I’ve heard they are interested, and moving back would not only give them more picks down the board (and/or in future years) but also put them in a better value range for him.
Even if it’s all the way back to No. 11, Skoronski could be available. If not, one or both of Georgia’s Broderick Jones and Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. should be there.
McShay drops two subtle hints. One is that the Cardinals really want to build the offensive line for quarterback Kyler Murray, something Murray has asked the team to do almost every year he has been in the league. The other is the suggestion that No. 11 could be where they will be traded back to, meaning the Tennessee Titans will come up for a quarterback.
Moving back that far means future first-round picks. Combine that with getting a long-term stud on the offensive line and you have perhaps an ideal situation.
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Story originally appeared on Cards Wire