Of the players potentially there at 16, Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., Oklahoma guard Tyler Booker, Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons are the offensive lineman discussed as potential picks. Simmons is coming off an injury; Banks has been projected by some to be better suited at guard in the NFL.
Gannon said with O-linemen, the role each would have if and when they were drafted has already been planned. And there is a desire to continue to build there.
“If I asked you what position group depends on no other position group to be good but every other position group depends on them to be good, what position group is that?” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said last year. “Offensive line.”
Defensive line and Edge likely have more options at 16, whether it is bigger guys like Kenneth Grant of Michigan, Walter Nolen of Old Miss or Derrick Harmon of Oregon, or outside like Georgia’s Mykel Williams, Marshall’s Mike Green or Tennessee’s James Pierce.
“I treasure all pass rush,” Gannon said. “What’s cool about putting together a D-line room is (that) each guy has a little bit different role. Who’s going to pick up that role to be that disruptive pass rusher inside, how are we going to deploy guys and how does it all fit together?”
The Cardinals have other areas that they could seek, even early. There are some cornerbacks of interest, maybe the right wide receiver, perhaps even a special linebacker who drops.
But the trenches call. And even if the Cardinals worked hard to collect, for instance, defensive linemen, that doesn’t eliminate the option.
“I learned a long time ago that what is perceived as a need or maybe not as a need one year and fast forward three, four or five months later or a year later, all of a sudden it is a need,” Ossenfort said.
