2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Predicting the First 10 Selections
By Baily Deeter
7. Arizona Cardinals: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
Dec 20, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Ezekiel Ansah (47) high fives fans after the Cougars beat the San Diego State Aztecs 23-6 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals started the 2012 season with a bang, and even though they finished 5-11, they weren’t too bad in any major statistical categories … except rushing defense.
Arizona’s rushing defense ranked 28th, and they could benefit from an edge rusher like Ansah. Ansah, who recorded a stellar 60 tackles in 2012, could help the Cardinals’ run defense. Ansah is an athletic player, and he can definitely help Arizona fill its biggest hole. In fact, Ansah would be a great fit in Arizona, especially because the Cardinals reside in the NFC West, home of the option offense and home of two dynamic, explosive signal-callers.
Seattle and San Francisco both boast potent option attacks, and the Cardinals have to face the two teams a combined four times. In addition, the Cardinals have to face Cam Newton in 2013, as well as Robert Griffin III at least once every three years. Ansah has the athleticism to help the Cardinals contain these dynamic signal-callers, which is something the Cardinals lacked in 2012.
How do we know that the Cardinals couldn’t stop Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson? Because Wilson and the Seahawks dropped 58 points on Arizona’s helpless defense in December.
Arizona would be a great fit for Ansah, and they would love to take him if he is available. Ansah has climbed draft boards and shown star potential, and he could help a defense lacking a true star. If Daryl Washington can’t perform after returning from his suspension, the Cardinals would need Ansah to perform.
And, if Ansah landed in Arizona, he would be ready to help.