Travis Long and the NFL: Arizona Cardinals
By Josh Davis
Arizona Cardinals
Stacked Against the Pick:
Oct. 29, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet on the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
There are some high quality needs for the Cardinals at other positions and only 7 picks to get them dealt with. Hybrid LB isn’t necessarily even something Arizona will look at just purely based on the nature of the current defensive ends already on the roster. It’s also pretty evident that they already tried to take care of each position in free agency and the scheme doesn’t really seem too good a fit either, so Long’s chances are slim to done of heading to the Desert.
If the Cards do decide they need another guy at linebacker, it will probably be a coverage guy with a lot of speed in the tank. I wouldn’t be surpised to see a small school backer taken later in rounds 6 or 7 but Long doesn’t fit the profile.
The Perfect Storm:
Arizona is another spot where a free agency shot makes the only sense, should he not get drafted somewhere else. The Cardinals are still relatively thin at outside backer and could use some hands on deck in the preseason to compete for some back up time. Still, don’t think Long is heading that direction for now.
Likelihood of Getting Drafted by Cardinals:
F