Round 1: Christian Barmore, DT (Alabama)
The Arizona Cardinals defense is still a work in progress, though they have some nice young pieces at each level. They’ve got Chandler Jones rushing off the edge, Isaiah Simmons at linebacker, Budda Baker at safety and Byron Murphy at corner. Do you see what’s missing? That’s right, a solid interior defensive lineman. Here’s what the Cardinals currently have in the middle of their defensive line:
Zach Allen, who’s a second year player from Boston College with a high motor and low ceiling.
Jordan Phillips, who’s a one-dimensional player on his third team in six years.
Corey Peters, who offers a nice veteran presence but is 32 years old.
Needless to say, they could use a high-ceiling young prospect.
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Enter Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
Jordan Reid of The Draft Network thinks Barmore has the chance to be a massive riser in this year’s class:
"“Barmore has an already rock solid and mature upper body that makes it hard for blockers to engage and stick against his body. The Alabama interior defender possesses outstanding raw power combined with active/busy and powerful hands that enable his frame to remain clean and disengage when necessary. Excellent with executing swim/arm over moves that allow him to make plays behind the line or in his gap as a run defender.”"
Christian is just another one of those freak Alabama defensive linemen that we’ve seen year in and year out since the beginning of time. Barmore is arguably the best defensive lineman in this year’s draft class, next to Florida State’s Marvin Wilson. Christian will look to be the 11th Alabama defensive lineman drafted since 2016, and hopefully the fourth to be a first round pick.