Arizona Cardinals: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft after free agency
By Larry Brake
Round 6 – Pick 1: Dontavious Russell, DT, Auburn; Pick 2: Ben Powers, IOL, Oklahoma
Arizona continues with the infrastructure reinforcement. Dontavious Russell gets selected in the sixth round at No. 174 and Ben Powers at the 179th slot. Russell and Powers will get the opportunity to make the roster, however might end up on the practice squad.
Russell is a wide-body defensive lineman. He stands 6-3, weighing 319 pounds, which are his NFL Combine measurements. He was a four-year starter at Auburn. In college, he made 153 total tackles with six sacks. He would be the ideal nose guard in the Arizona 3-4 defensive front. The classic textbook run stopper fits Russell’s skill set.
Powers gets selected a few spots later after Russell. He stands 6-4, weighing 307 pounds. As a guard, he could find a spot on the practice squad. You know how fast injuries can accumulate on linemen. He might find himself as the swing lineman playing either left or right guard. Flexibility, to play several positions, greatly improves the chance of making a team.
Russell and Powers have a better chance of contributing to Arizona in the long run instead of being an immediate impact player. Who knows, Arizona might deal on of these two picks on draft day.a