I can’t pinpoint the inaugural year we launched The Gambo 5. However, I do recall that in 2017, we successfully predicted Hasson Reddick in the first round and Budda Baker in the second.
Since then, every draft season, we receive numerous inquiries about The Gambo 5 leading up to the event. Our history of predictions has proven to be quite accurate.
We even produced a Gambo 5 for the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, which included Christian Kirk. Given my aging memory—I can hardly remember my breakfast—I consulted AI for insights on The Gambo 5, and here’s what it shared:
Past Predictions
2017: “The Gambo 5 did predict Budda Baker for the Cardinals, and it was accurate for both Hasson Reddick in the first round and Baker in the second.”
2018: “The Gambo 5 indicated that Josh Rosen would be the sole quarterback the Cardinals would consider moving up for. Evidence suggests that Christian Kirk was also included in predictions.”
2020: “The Gambo 5 model indeed forecasted Isaiah Simmons for the Cardinals in that year’s draft.”
2021: “The Gambo 5 model successfully predicted Zaven Collins for the Cardinals during the 2021 NFL Draft.”
Current Predictions
Every year, I initially tell my colleagues that I won’t have time to create this list due to the Suns season ending and the Diamondbacks’ season starting. Yet, I ultimately find the time to compile a list of five players who I strongly believe will be selected by the Cardinals.
This year, forecasting is particularly challenging as the Cardinals hold the 16th pick amid a draft with limited star power but impressive depth. Should the Cardinals trade down from this spot, my predictions would be unreliable—this model only applies if they stay at No. 16.
Process of Elimination
To establish my predictions, I begin with process of elimination. According to the Arizona Sports Mock Draft Tracker, a variety of 25 players are linked to the Cardinals, making the No. 16 pick a true wild card. I excluded positions I don’t believe the team will target, like wide receiver and cornerback.
The Gambo 5 Predictions
This year, I shifted focus to offensive and defensive line positions and narrowed my list down to five players:
- Tyler Booker, Alabama G
- Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas OT
- Josh Simmons, Ohio State OT
- Walter Nolen, Ole Miss DL
- Mykel Williams, Georgia pass rusher
Honorable Mention: Derrick Harmon, Oregon DT
Final Thoughts
I had to let go of Tennessee pass rusher James Pearce Jr. and Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart to finalize The Gambo 5. If Arizona trades back, Stewart could enter the picture, but his pick at No. 16 felt too precarious.
Thus, here’s The Gambo 5, heavy on OL and DL—enjoy and have fun with it! While I often joke about guaranteeing a selection from this list, no absolute assurances can be made.
