NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals pass on top pass rusher for OT

The Arizona Cardinals want to draft a tackle next week, but the word is that they don't think there is one worth quite the No. 3 overall pick. That is why so many are projecting they will go with a pass rusher unless they trade back to get a tackle.

However, in a seven-round mock draft by The Athletic's Dane Brugler, they neither take a pass rusher nor trade back.

Sitting at No. 3 overall and with Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey, who led the nation with 14.5 sacks last season, on the board, they pass on him in favor of Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa.

It won’t be surprising if the Cardinals use this pick on a pass rusher such as Bailey, but the idea of securing their right tackle position for the foreseeable future will be an appealing option. It will be interesting to see if the Cardinals receive any viable trade offers to move back.

Now, trading out of the pick is very possible. Whether it is Bailey or Ohio State's Arvell Reese, a team could covet one and move up. That would be perhaps the No. 1 plan for the Cardinals. If there is no trade, it is highly unlikely they would take Mauigoa over Bailey.

In a vacuum, Mauigoa is a fantastic pick. He would be able to step right into a starting role at right tackle. But because the Cardinals' anemic pass rush outside of Josh Sweat (and anemic is being generous as Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, Jordan Burch and BJ Ojulari all combined for only 5.5 sacks), passing on Bailey without getting more draft picks to move back and get Mauigoa would be criminal.

We will see soon enough.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals pass on top pass rusher for OT