The 2011 NFL is this week. Aside from a possible lifting of the lockout (which is likely going to happen, but have a stay, causing no changes), it is the only NFL talk to be had. SB Nation has completed their second to last mock draft projections for the first round and has even projected some trades.
The Arizona Cardinals are projected to be one of these trade players. Von Miller is coming off the board at number three, so the Cardinals move down by making a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys do this to take cornerback Patrick Peterson. Arizona takes Dallas' number nine pick, picks up their second round selection (number 40) and they commit their 2012 third round pick to the Cowboys.
With the number nine pick, the Cardinals go for an improvement on the offensive line and take offensive tackle Tyron Smith out of USC. Here is the explanation:
After moving down from No. 5, the Cardinals missed out on quality at the rush linebacker position, but can address that area with one of their two second-round picks. Smith is a potentially elite left tackle prospect, and OT is a really underrated need for the Cardinals.
I would say that OT is more than an underrated need.
This could be a very good pick. Potentially, this could allow Levi Brown to move back to right tackle or inside to guard (if the coaches still want Brandon Keith on the right side). Picking up another second round pick can either fill another need or allow them perhaps to move back into the first round to select a player they really want here in the desert.
Will the Cardinals move down? The last time it happened was disappointing. If it happens this time, let us hope the results are different.
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28, and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare: NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it out at SB Nation's NFL Draft page and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking the Draft or for Cardinals coverage, visit Revenge of the Birds.