We're in the middle of the 2012 NFL Combine and prospects are either improving their draft stock or hurting it. One player that has done nothing but help his draft stock is former USC Trojans offensive tackle Matt Kalil. In fact, he's done such a good job preparing for the draft that he may be a target for teams to trade up to select him. In SB Nation's latest mock draft, that's exactly what happens and it's the Arizona Cardinals that make the trade.
SB Nation's Brad Wells predicts that the Cardinals will move up from No. 13 to No. 5 in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to grab Kalil in the first round.
The Bucs benefit from teams getting QB crazy early in the draft. They already have Donald Penn locked up with a long-term deal, and with Kalil still on the board, a team like the Cardinals might just be willing to move up to get him, especially if they manage to lure Peyton Manning to the desert. Unlike years past, top-five rookies cost less money. Thus, there is more incentive to trade. Tampa Bay is looking for pieces to improve the team overall, especially on defense. Arizona needs talent on their O-line, which was putrid last season.
Of course, it isn't clear as to what else they would have to give up to move from 13th to fifth in the first round, but the addition of Kalil could be worth it. He's by far this year's draft class' best tackle and the Cardinals desperately need help on the line.
For more on the Arizona Cardinals, head to Revenge of the Birds and for more on the draft, head to Mocking The Draft.