Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa not foregone conclusion with top pick

The Arizona Cardinals have locked up the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. But, consensus top choice Nick Bosa may not be a foregone conclusion for the Cards.

The Arizona Cardinals hold the keys to the NFL Draft. It really is that simple, as the Cardinals have the distinction of the first overall pick in the draft. It’s long been thought that Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa would be the first selection for any team that might hold the first pick. However, the Cardinals may have other plans in mind.

Despite Bosa’s undeniable talent, which would normally make him a can’t-miss prospect as a pass rusher, there are some concerns. Namely, the injury bug. Although Bosa played explosively while on the field, he only suited up for the Buckeyes three times in 2018 before facing a core muscle injury which required surgery, ending his season.

Bosa’s stats were still impressive through three outings, with four sacks and a fumble returned for a touchdown. He has two more seasons of tape as well, posting 17.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss throughout his college career. And despite how impressive he was, his 2018 injury may scare the Cardinals out of making him the No. 1 pick in 2019.

Enter Alabama defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams. This 6-4, 289-pound behemoth of a football player looks like a man amongst boys all year for the Crimson Tide. He was especially impressive against then fourth-ranked LSU, posting 2.5 sacks and ten tackles (3.5 for a loss) as a defensive tackle. The LSU game launched Williams into the eyes of the public, and is a large part of the reason he’s getting No. 1 pick attention early in the process.

Factoring in Arizona’s biggest needs also helps Williams’s case for the No. 1 pick. Despite having holes all over the roster, the Cardinals seem to be relatively solid when it comes to the defensive end position, with Chandler Jones and Markus Golden anchoring down either end. This isn’t to say that a player like Bosa couldn’t help bolster that position group, but the need for defensive tackle is so much more urgent.

Putting a player of Quinnen Williams’ talents could help the entire Arizona defense immensely. Not only can Williams stop the run, but his ability to get after the pass is elite for a defensive tackle, posting eight sacks in 2018. A presence like Williams could help both Chandler Jones and Markus Golden blossom into terrific pass rushers, and totally revamp Arizona’s defense.

Or, the Cardinals could pull the expected move, and pick Bosa after all. Either player is likely going to be a great defender in the NFL, and it all comes down to preference for general manager Steve Keim and the Cardinals’ front office. Do they go with the best player available, or try to fill a bigger need?

Either way, the Cardinals need to nail the No. 1 selection to get their franchise back on track after a 3-13 season in 2018. The NFC West is rapidly becoming one of the best divisions in professional football, and the Cardinals simply cannot get left behind.

If Arizona wants to take down quarterbacks like Jared Goff, Russell Wilson or Jimmy Garoppolo, they need a franchise player in the front seven. Whether that’s Quinnen Williams or Nick Bosa, is just a matter of preference at this point. But in either case, it’s wrong to think that the No. 1 pick is a foregone conclusion this early in the process.