ARIZONA CARDINALS

ESPN’s Todd McShay has Arizona Cardinals picking pass rusher in latest mock

Mar 30, 2015, 2:51 PM | Updated: 4:35 pm

Follow @VincemarottaPresented By...

With the NFL Draft exactly one month away, expect a flood of mock drafts from around the internet in the next 30 days.

ESPN’s Todd McShay released his fourth mock draft Monday (Insider access required), and he has the Arizona Cardinals taking Kentucky edge rusher Alvin “Bud” Dupree with the 24th pick of the first round.

This is something of a luxury pick, as the Cardinals have done a nice job of plugging holes in free agency and don’t have many glaring needs. This is a good spot for Dupree to land, as he’s a raw player right now and would benefit from the veteran leadership of guys like Sean Weatherspoon and LaMarr Woodley. He’d be able to serve as a rotational pass-rusher to help keep guys fresh and do what he does best, which is get up the field and disrupt. There seems to be an emphasis in Arizona on adding more team speed, and Dupree definitely fits the bill: He ran a 4.56 40 with a 1.60 split at 6-4, 269 pounds, and his explosiveness jumps off the tape. I also considered RB Melvin Gordon or a cornerback for the Cardinals here.

In McShay’s mock, Dupree is the fifth OLB/DE off the board behind Florida’s Dante Fowler, Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, Missouri’s Shane Ray and Clemson’s Vic Beasley.

In 2014, Dupree was Kentucky’s second-leading tackler with 74 on the season. He also registered 12.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading 7.5 sacks.

McShay’s last mock draft, released Feb. 26, had the Cardinals selecting Virginia outside linebacker Eli Harold at no. 24.

Check out all the latest projections in Arizona Sports’ Mock Draft Tracker.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

12 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

15 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

1 day ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

ESPN’s Todd McShay has Arizona Cardinals picking pass rusher in latest mock