The Arizona Cardinals add a protector and a destroyer in Field Yates 2025 NFL mock Draft.
Happy Wednesday one and all.
We will be back to look at a couple more prospects today, but first E$PN+ Field Yates drops a two-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft that has the Arizona Cardinals taking two players I love, but I don’t love his suggestion.
From E$PN:
16. Arizona Cardinals
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Arizona has an interesting offensive line arrangement, as Paris Johnson Jr. started his career at right tackle before switching to left tackle this past season. In the long term, this pick would allow the Cardinals to move Johnson back to the right side and slot in Banks at left tackle. Banks started three full seasons on the left side at Texas, showing a good combination of size (6-foot-5, 315 pounds), nimble feet and pass-protection acumen. He allowed pressure on just 0.8% of his pass-block snaps in 2024, which tied for third best in the FBS among offensive tackles.
I don’t love the idea of moving PJJ back to the right side after he had a 10 game stretch where he looked great last year. I know it didn’t end well, but I think there was more to the injury than we were lead to believe.
If you don’t think Banks can play guard or right tackle, then take Josh Simmons who has done the right tackle thing if the medicals check out.
47. Arizona Cardinals
Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
This would be a rock-solid addition for Arizona at this point in the draft. Scourton has an advanced arsenal of pass-rush moves. While he had just five sacks last season at Texas A&M, he had 10 in 2023 at Purdue. And he’s a great run defender.
I love, love, love this pick. If you have listened to the pods, you know how much I love Scourton and he is the reason I don’t put a ton of blame on Shemar Stewart for his production.
Think about this, Scourton had 10 sacks as a 19-year old sophomore in the Big Ten. He had sacks against Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio State, Minnesota, and two sacks against each Michigan and Indiana.
So, it wasn’t like he got 10 sacks in three games against Fresno State and some middling Pac10 (RIP) team.
Then he went to Texas A&M and had five sacks with a line that had Stewart and Shemar Turner. It doesn’t make sense.
So, Scourton is a player who I love what he has done at two stops, and against great competition.