2018 Cardinals mock draft: Arizona selects Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley

The Arizona Cardinals are on the clock, and many believe the franchise is in full reset mode. With their divisional rivals all seemingly on the rise and Carson Palmer off to greener pastures of retirement, the 2018 season looks bleak for Arizona.

But fear not, Cardinals fans, cwilson312 is here to save the day. That’s your interim general manager and with the 16th pick in the Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, cwilson312 has selected Calvin Ridley, wide receiver out of Alabama. Here’s cwilson312 with the justification.

So, I had a challenge here. A team with multiple needs and a few different fits. I know there are a couple tackles on the board. I know Josh Allen is sitting there with a cannon, but with Sam Bradford, they have a QB that is at least serviceable, if healthy.

Ridley brings high floor, high ceiling potential. Larry Fitzgerald is battling the clock hard, and he needs a playmaker opposite him to take some of the pressure off. Brice Butler isn’t that guy. Calvin Ridley is. Quickness, explosiveness, route running. Check, check, check.

Some may see him as a gamble, but I think he’s a safe bet in this draft. A player with solid athletic numbers that has produced for three years against elite NCAA competition. He runs routes like an NFL vet which is going to help him contribute immediately. There are a lot of questions about his size and toughness, but I think he more than makes up for it with his ability to run routes and his quickness with the football. At a minimum, he’s a very solid slot guy that can make guys miss in the open field.

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. My favorite part of our mocks are the discussions after.

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