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With the Philadelphia Eagles claiming this year's Super Bowl yesterday, it is officially draft season in the football world and there are plenty of possibilities for the Arizona Cardinals during draft season.
The team has needs across their defense and could also end up with some holes to fill on the offensive line.
However, a new mock draft has them going in a very different direction in the first round of the NFL Draft with a pick that would likely surprise many fans.
In his first mock draft following the Super Bowl, Fantasy Life's Thor Nystrom predicted the Cardinals would use the 16th pick in the draft to select Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III.
On the surface, this looks like a luxury pick the Cardinals can't really afford.
The team has major needs across their roster and just spent the fourth overall pick on Marvin Harrison Jr. a year ago.
However, the Cardinals do have some cap space to work with this offseason. Spotrac projects them to have $63.5 million to throw around in free agency.
If they can fill needs on the defensive line, a cornerback, and at linebacker with that cap space, then drafting Burden becomes an interesting option.
We have never really seen what Kyler Murray can do with elite weapons at his disposal.
The Cardinals tried to make it happen once when they traded for Hollywood Brown to pair him with DeAndre Hopkins back in 2022.
Unfortunately, the trio of Murray, Brown, and Hopkins only played one game together because of injuries and a Hopkins suspension.
Hopkins was released before the start of the following the season.
Giving Murray another threat to throw to next season could be what the offense needs to take that next step. If it isn't then it paints a pretty clear picture of Murray's ceiling as your starting quarterback.
Burden has proven he can be that threat. He put together a monster sophomore season in 2023, making 86 catches for 1212 yards and nine touchdowns.
His numbers took a hit this past season, but he still played well enough to earn All-SEC honors for a second consecutive season.
The Cardinals will need to take care of business in free agency first, but Burden could be a good fit if they fill enough other needs before the draft.
More must-reads:
- Tyrann Mathieu retirement highlights compelling Hall of Fame case
- 25 fantasy football sleepers you should target at your draft
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Tyrann Mathieu retirement highlights compelling Hall of Fame case
One question remains after New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement. How long until Canton calls? On Tuesday, the 12-year NFL veteran revealed he was retiring, effective immediately, ending the New Orleans native's legendary football career. In a statement published to social media, the three-time first-team All-Pro wrote, "As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way. "From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing." He's a surefire first-ballot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame honoree, breaking out while at LSU (2010-11). During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he forced 11 fumbles with eight recoveries, four interceptions and four total touchdowns while finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2011. Mathieu was dismissed from the team in 2012 after failing multiple drug tests and then was arrested on marijuana charges, but he didn't allow that to define his career. Instead, he carved out what could be considered a Pro Football Hall of Fame resume, too. Mathieu ends his professional career with 838 tackles, 100 passes defended and 36 interceptions. In addition to being named first-team All-Pro three times, he received three Pro Bowl honors and was a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010 Team. Mathieu also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. Per Mathieu's Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor score (65.2), he has a below-average case for enshrinement, with the average Hall of Fame defensive back scoring a 96.93. But players have received a gold jacket with worse scores in the PFR metric, including John Lynch, Eric Allen and Dick LeBeau. While he might have to wait past his first ballot to make it into the Hall of Fame, it would be a shame if Mathieu didn't one day receive his flowers. It certainly helps his case that in addition to being one of the greatest safeties of his generation, Mathieu was, by all accounts, just as outstanding off the field. NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill and Arizona Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, who covered Mathieu when he played for the Cardinals, were among the media members to share fond stories about Mathieu. "One of those guys who really respected the job we do and would take the time to explain the game," Underhill shared. "He an all-world talent and the most accessible, genuine, introspective superstar I've ever met," Odegard wrote. It could take longer than five years, but it should surprise no one if one day Mathieu receives Hall of Fame recognition. He is the Honey Badger, after all. He takes what he wants.
Caitlin Clark drops mic on Kelsey Plum's Instagram post
Caitlin Clark might be the most popular figure in women's basketball right now, but she continues to draw shots left and right, both on and off the court. The Iowa product has stayed even keeled and mostly unrattled, but that doesn't mean she won't fight back. That's why, in the light of Kelsey Plum's recent comments, she decided to take matters into her own hands and clapped back at her with a simple, six-word message. Plum shared a picture of her during the WNBA's All-Star Weekend, which showed half of a Nike logo in the background. Clark was quick to spot it and just wrote "Thank u for the Nike ad." This happened just hours after Plum seemingly took a shot at Clark and her Team Clark teammates for reportedly not getting involved in their pre-game protest. “The T-shirt was determined this morning. Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that,” Plum revealed. “That really needed to be mentioned,” Sabrina Ionescu added while both laughed. WNBA All-Stars warmed up with a T-Shirt that read 'Pay us what you owe us,' ahead of their new CBA agreement, which is expected to be signed in the offseason. WNBA players get around 9 percent of the league's revenue, and they're asking for a bigger share since most of them also have to play overseas during the offseason because of the salary disparity. Plum is the vice president of the WNBPA, so it's not surprising to see her so involved in the protest and the demands. Then again, it's hard to understand the reasoning behind the tattle telling, as not only does it show that there might not be a united front ahead of these negotiations, but it also drives attention away from where it should be.
Celtics Expected to Make Another Trade After New Comments From Executive
The Boston Celtics' priorities were already apparent before making the trades they did. Because they wanted to get under the NBA's second tax apron, the Celtics were willing to downgrade some of their players to get under it. That's why the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons and Kristaps Porzingis for Georges Niang. It is a talent downgrade, but it helped Boston achieve their goals of getting under the second apron, even if those players aren't as good as Holiday or Porzingis. However, those trades only helped Boston get closer to being under the NBA's second tax apron, but it didn't get them under completely. Boston signed a few more players this offseason, including Luka Garza, Josh Minott, and Hugo Gonzalez. While these players are on inexpensive contracts, combined, they are enough to keep the Celtics above the NBA's second tax apron. That's why Boston isn't done making moves. Spotrac's Keith Smith revealed in an interview with a Boston Celtics executive that more trades will follow because they are still above the NBA's second tax apron. “Still figuring it all out. As you’ve noted, we’re still above the second apron. We won’t finish there," the Celtics exec told Smith. As far as how the Celtics will do that is anyone's guess. They may trade Anfernee Simons for someone who makes less than him. They may trade Niang's contract to a team that can absorb it via trade exception. They may even trade Sam Hauser or Payton Pritchard to do it. Regardless, more moves are coming for the Celtics.
Promising Vikings Pass Catcher Dodges Disaster to Begin Camp
The Minnesota Vikings have a deep core of pass-catchers, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and tight end T.J. Hockenson. The team also drafted Maryland product Tai Felton, who has explosive traits that could carry him to playing time in his first year. However, the most intriguing receiver story entering training camp is former Arizona Cardinals second-round pick Rondale Moore. Moore, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Atlanta Falcons training camp last August, has been on the mend for nearly a year. Beginning training camp with a third team in as many years, Moore is running out of chances to make an impact in the NFL after the Cardinals cut him in 2024. He could not afford to begin Vikings training camp behind the ball, and upon the start of camp, he passed an important test. On Tuesday, July 22, Moore was among several players head coach Kevin O'Connell commended for the work they put in this offseason to avoid starting camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. "I want to highlight the work they put in this summer, to put themselves in a position to be out on the grass practicing,” O’Connell said. “We are very pleased with where those guys are at and their timelines to fully returning to daily participation. We have great plans on the calendar for those guys and cannot wait to see that come to fruition.” Moore is a twitchy athlete who can line up not only in the slot but also in the backfield as a versatile screen option. He has a skillset that no receiver in the Vikings camp has, which could be an asset for O'Connell. Moore will have to battle his way up to land a top-four spot on the wide receivers depth chart. However, considering the potential suspension Addison is facing for an alcohol-related offense, there may be more room on the roster at wide receiver than anticipated.
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