Images of the Cardinals' first-round picks since moving to Arizona in advance of Thursday's first round

1988: California LB Ken Harvey

1989: Boston College G Joe Wolf (No. 68)

1989: LSU LB Eric Hill

1991: DT Eric Swann

1993: Georgia RB Garrison Hearst

1993: South Carolina T Ernest Dye

1994: UCLA LB Jamir Miller

1996: Illinois DE Simeon Rice

1997: Iowa CB Tom Knight

1998: Florida State DE Andre Wadsworth

1999: Eastern Michigan T L.J. Shelton

1999: Ohio State WR David Boston

2000: Virginia RB Thomas Jones

2001: Texas T Leonard Davis

2002: Wisconsin DT Wendell Bryant

2003: Wake Forest DE Calvin Pace

2003: Penn State WR Bryant Johnson

2004: Pittsburgh WR Larry Fitzgerald

2005: Florida State CB Antrel Rolle

2006: USC QB Matt Leinart

2007: Penn State T Levi Brown

2008: Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

2009: Ohio State RB Beanie Wells

2010: Tennessee DT Dan Williams

2011: LSU CB Patrick Peterson

2012: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd

2013: North Carolina G Jonathan Cooper

2014: Washington State S Deone Bucannon

2015: Florida T D.J. Humphries

2016: Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche
The Cardinals have the No. 29 pick in the first round of the NFL draft, which will begin on Thursday at 5 p.m. local time. Last year the team chose tackle D.J. Humphries with the No. 24 pick, which four prognosticators correctly pegged.
Here are some of this year's mock draft selections for the Cardinals by prominent NFL reporters:
Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky (picked by Peter Schrager, FOX Sports; Charles Davis, CBS; Rob Rang, CBS; Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
Spence has the talent to go higher, but he was suspended at Ohio State for failed drug tests and was arrested for second-degree disorderly conduct after transferring to Eastern Kentucky. If Spence can get past the off-field issues, he has the ability to be a disruptive pass-rusher off the edge.
Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Mississippi (picked by Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com; Nate Davis, USA Today; Doug Farrar, Sports Illustrated)
Talent isn't the question here, as Nkemdiche was slated to be a top-5 pick earlier this season. However, he was suspended after falling out of a third-story window before Mississippi's bowl game and was cited for having marijuana in his hotel room. The character evaluation is key, because Nkemdiche can be a difference-maker if the Cardinals are comfortable with his personality.
Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama (picked by Peter King, Sports Illustrated; Dane Brugler, CBS Sports)
Kelly is the highest-rated center and many pundits believe he can slide right in and be a cornerstone on an offensive line for years. The Cardinals have a need with last year's starter, Lyle Sendlein, still a free agent and not expected back. This choice makes a ton of sense, but there are questions as to whether Kelly will still be on the board.
A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama (picked by Will Brinson, CBS; Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated)
This would be a case of going with the highest-rated player regardless of need. The Cardinals have other more immediate holes, but if they feel like Robinson can be a longtime fixture on the defensive line, this could be a pick that pays off.
T.J. Green, S/CB, Clemson (picked by Matt Miller, Bleacher Report; Greg Bedard, Sports Illustrated)
Green's stock has skyrocketed over the past week, as his physical gifts make him an intriguing prospect. He is still raw, so a choice like this could be riskier than others. Green's versatility is something the Cardinals like in defensive backs, and if he can play cornerback it could be a particularly valuable choice.
Images of the safety prospects expected to be chosen in the NFL Draft

Florida State's Jalen Ramsey: Projected top-five pick

Florida's Keanu Neal: Projected second-rounder

Duke's Jeremy Cash: Projected second-rounder

Ohio State's Vonn Bell: Projected second-rounder

LSU's Jalen Mills: Projected third-rounder

West Virginia's Karl Joseph: Projected third-rounder

Clemson's T.J. Green: Projected third-rounder

Boise State's Darian Thompson: Projected fourth-rounder

Southern Utah's Miles Killebrew: Projected fourth-rounder

Middle Tennessee's Kevin Byard: Projected fifth-rounder

Clemson's Jayron Kearse: Projected fifth-rounder

West Virginia's K.J. Dillon: Projected fifth-rounder

Maryland's Sean Davis: Projected fifth-rounder

Illinois' Clayton Fejedelem: Projected sixth-rounder

Boston College's Justin Simmons: Projected sixth-rounder

William & Mary's DeAndre Houston-Carson: Projected sixth-rounder

Ohio State's Tyvis Powell: Projected sixth-rounder

Appalachian State's Doug Middleton: Projected seventh-rounder

Central Michigan's Kavon Frazier: Projected seventh-rounder

Penn State's Jordan Lucas: Projected seventh-rounder
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (picked by Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN)
If Apple lasts until No. 29 he would be an enticing option. The Cardinals could use another cornerback, and he excels in the man-coverage style they prefer. Apple has an ideal combination of speed, size and length but is also projected to go earlier than this.
Images of the cornerbacks projected to be selected in the draft

Florida's Vernon Hargreaves III: Projected top-15 pick

Houston's William Jackson III: Projected first-round pick

Ohio State's Eli Apple: Projected first-round pick

Clemson's Mackensie Alexander: Projected first-round pick

Maryland's Sean Davis: Projected second-round pick

Miami's Artie Burns: Projected third-round pick

Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller: Projected third-round pick

Baylor's Xavien Howard: Projected third-rounder

Alabama's Cyrus Jones: Projected fourth-rounder

Mississippi State's Will Redmond: Projected fourth-round picj

Georgia Tech's D.J. White: Projected fourth-rounder

North Carolina Central's Ryan Smith: Projected fourth-round pick

Notre Dame's KeiVarae Russell: Projected fourth-rounder

Oklahoma's Zack Sanchez: Projected fourth-rounder

Auburn's Jonathan Jones: Projected fifth-round pick

Virginia's Maurice Canady: Projected fifth-rounder

LSU's Rashard Robinson: Projected fifth-rounder

Southeast Louisiana's Harlan Miller: Projected fifth-rounder

Minnesota's Eric Murray: Projected fifth-rounder

USC's Kevon Seymour: Projected fifth-rounder

Purdue's Anthony Brown: Projected sixth-rounder

Southern Mississippi's Kalan Reed: Projected sixth-rounder

Temple's Tavon Young: projected sixth-rounder

Samford's James Bradberry: Projected sixth-rounder

West Virginia's Daryl Worley: Projected sixth-rounder

Southern Utah's Leshaun Sims: Projected seventh-rounder

Kansas State's Morgan Burns: Projected seventh-round pick

Colorado's Ken Crawley: Projected seventh-round pick

Penn State's Trevor Williams: Projected seventh-round pick

Colorado's Ian Wells: Projected seventh-round pick
William Jackson III, CB, Houston (picked Bucky Brooks, NFL.com)
While most projections have him going higher, the Cardinals could be intrigued if Jackson is still on the board at No. 29. Jackson led the nation in passes defended last season and added five interceptions, and he has good measurables.
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (picked by Charley Casserly, NFL.com)
Like Apple and Jackson, Alexander is a cover man the Cardinals may consider if available. He is two inches shorter than Jackson and didn't have any interceptions in college, but played against tough competition and held up well.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis (picked by Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report)
If Lynch is still available at No. 29, it will be interesting to see what the Cardinals do. If the staff believes he can be the heir apparent to Carson Palmer, this would be a welcome scenario. If Lynch is still available and the Cardinals aren't sold on him, they could try to trade the pick to a team that wants him.
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State (picked by Don Banks, Sports Illustrated)
Another late-first-round option at quarterback, Cook had an impressive win-loss record with the Spartans. He has a good arm but there is concern about his accuracy on short and intermediate throws.
Artie Burns, CB, Miami (picked by Mike Mayock, NFL Network)
Another mock draft, another cornerback pegged to the Cardinals. Some don't have Burns rated this highly, but his blend of size and speed is intriguing. Burns had six interceptions last season but the knock on him is a lack of proper technique.
Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State (picked by Pete Prisco, CBS Sports)
He played guard and tackle in college but could be moved to center as a rookie if the Cardinals select him. A four-year starter, Whitehair is seen as a reasonably safe pick that is a tireless worker and could make an instant impact. His positional versatility could be important in ensuing seasons.
Shilique Calhoun, OLB, Michigan State (picked by Cris Collinsworth, Pro Football Focus)
Calhoun had an ultra-productive college career, amassing 26 sacks over his final three seasons. He played defensive end in college but would slot in as an edge-rusher in the Cardinals' scheme. There are some questions about his ability to beat blockers at the NFL level, but if he can put it all together Calhoun could be a disruptive piece.
Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida (picked by Todd McShay, ESPN)
Bullard has the type of versatility that is welcomed on the Cardinals' defensive line, as he is able to play inside or outside. He isn't the disruptive pass-rushing threat that is so coveted but is a solid all-around player who could start for many years. Bullard had 18 tackles for loss last season.
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