The NFL Draft is just over a week away, and for the Arizona Cardinals, the pressure is on to build a competitive roster. Holding one pick in each round, they have a clear and glaring need: a dominant pass rusher. While Josh Sweat posted a career-high 12 sacks last season, his production vanished in crucial fourth quarters, and the rest of the outside linebacker corps managed a meager 5.5 sacks combined. With no significant additions in free agency, ignoring this need early in the draft would be a major misstep.

However, in a new seven-round mock draft from The Athletic's Dane Brugler, that's exactly what happens. Brugler's projection has the Cardinals bypassing the draft's top edge rushers early, waiting until Day 3 to address their most pressing defensive hole. Instead, with the third overall pick, Arizona selects an offensive tackle—a move many analysts might consider a reach, especially with a premier pass rusher like David Bailey still on the board.

The ripple effect of that first-round decision shapes the rest of their mock haul. In the second round, missing out on a top tackle prospect, they select a quarterback who may need a stronger supporting cast to thrive—a luxury the rebuilding Cardinals currently lack. Later picks include a blazing-fast but undersized receiver, contrary to their recent trend of taller targets, and a strong but un-explosive defensive lineman. A long, athletic cornerback in the sixth round fits Arizona's historical drafting tendencies, while the final two selections offer little immediate excitement.

For Cardinals fans hoping for a transformative draft that directly attacks the team's weaknesses, this mock scenario serves as a cautionary tale. The actual draft will reveal if Arizona's front office agrees with this assessment or charts a more aggressive course to bolster their defense.