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Arizona Cardinals still want to extend Calais Campbell's contract

By The Sports Xchange
Buffalo Bills' Marcell Dareus (99) and Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell leave the field together during the Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 24, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Buffalo Bills' Marcell Dareus (99) and Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell leave the field together during the Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 24, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

TEMPE, Ariz. -- General manager Steve Keim said the first-round selection of Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche has no impact on the contract situation involving defensive tackle Calais Campbell, whom the team wants to re-sign. Campbell is in the final year of his deal and the Cardinals are interested in extending his contract, but significantly lowering his cap hit ($15.25 million).

"Can't have enough of those guys up front," Keim said.

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--Though the Cardinals didn't have a second-round pick, having dealt it to New England along with former first-round pick, guard Jonathan Cooper, for pass rusher extraordinaire Chandler Jones, Keim made it sound like Arizona had a second-rounder in his opening remarks to reporters on the second day of the draft.

"Coach and I and (team president) Michael (Bidwill) have probably never been so excited about a second-round pick, a Pro Bowler with 12 1/2 sacks," Keim cracked. "That started the day off with a bang from there."

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--Third-round pick Brandon Williams might seem like a reach with the 92nd overall pick considering he's a former running back who's only played cornerback for a year. The Cardinals, however, believe the Texas A&M prospect has too many intangibles too ignore.

"You've got to find something that you're going to hang your hat on, to get excited about," Keim said. "Why is that guy going to make contributions? Why is he going to make your football team? In this instance, he's a little raw but the physical tools are off the charts and the passion and love for the game is off the charts. If I'm betting on one, this is the guy I'm getting excited about."

--Nkemdiche is a passionate saxophone and bass guitar player who was invited to play at a blues club owned by actor Morgan Freeman.

"I hope there are some blues and jazz clubs (in Arizona) that I can play at and make some people's nights," Nkemdiche said.

--Offensive tackle Cole Toner, the team's second pick in the fifth round, becomes the third player from Harvard to be drafted by the franchise. In 1954, the Chicago Cardinals selected Harvard fullback John Culver and in 1973, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted Harvard quarterback Eric Crone.

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A closer look at the Cardinals' picks:

Round 1/29 - Robert Nkemdiche, DE, 6-4, 294, Mississippi

Nkemdiche gives the Cardinals yet another legitimate pass-rushing threat and will get as much game action as he can handle, according to head coach Bruce Arians. Nkemdiche can line up anywhere along the defensive line, according to Arians, and can rush the edge and fall back into coverage as an outside linebacker. It's a potential steal for Arizona, as Nkemdiche was projected by most scouts as a top-10 talent.

Round 3/92 - Brandon Williams, CB, 6-0, 200, Texas A&M

Williams was a running back his entire life until being converted to corner last summer entering his fifth year of eligibility. He embraced the change because it meant being a full-time starter as opposed to sharing carries at tailback. Though extremely raw, the Cardinals believe Williams can play press man-to-man coverage and will be an immediate impact on special teams as a gunner.

Round 4/128 - Evan Boehm, C/G, 6-2, 302, Missouri

This pick fills a real need with Lyle Sendlein, the starting center for the past eight seasons, not being offered a contract. A coach's son, Boehm will be given every opportunity to earn the starting job at center in training camp and should be able to beat out journeyman A.Q. Shipley. The Cardinals love his strength, grit and durability. Boehm is the only player in Missouri history to start every single game from his true freshman season.

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Round 5/167 - Marqui Christian, S, 6-1, 205, Midwestern State

Intriguing talent from another small school, where the Cardinals love to find prospects in the mid- to lower rounds of the draft. Christian played mostly single-high safety in college, but has the speed and tackling ability to line up in the box, where the Cardinals tend to often blitz their safeties. Projected to be a hybrid defensive back, for now Christian will earn his spurs on special teams.

Round 5/170 - Cole Toner, G/T, 6-5, 306, Harvard

Toner has played tackle most of his life, but the Cardinals project him to play mostly guard at the next level, although they think he can be valuable as a swing tackle for depth purposes. A participant in the Senior Bowl, Toner brings toughness and smarts to a Cardinals' line that lost starting right tackle Bobby Massie and starting right guard Ted Larsen to the Bears in free agency, in addition to backup tackle Bradley Sowell to the Seahawks.

Round 6/205 - Harlan Miller, CB, 6-0, 182, Southeastern Louisiana

Tenacious player who has a nose for the ball and can help on special teams as a possible punt returner, assuming the Cardinals take that role away from All-Pro corner Patrick Peterson. Miller's Combine times weren't the best, but he was much quicker at his Pro Day and can find a role somewhere in the secondary in nickel and dime situations as a reserve.

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