Sunday, February 7, 2021

Arizona Cardinals 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup, 5.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Arizona Cardinals from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in August 2020 mock drafts for the Cardinals:

NFL.com - Zierlein (2/4)

16. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia

Finding an impactful defender up front should be one of the Cardinals' priorities. Ojulari is twitchy and powerful and has a game that should translate well in the NFL.

NFL.com - Brooks (2/1)

16. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Larry Fitzgerald has not made any announcement of his plans for 2021 as of this writing. However, with the 37-year-old either at or near the end of his illustrious career, the Cards decide to grab a polished pass catcher to play opposite DeAndre Hopkins in this scenario.

Akron Beacon Journal - Kadar (2/1)

16. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Considering that Kenyan Drake is a free agent this offseason, you could make a serious case for the Cardinals taking a running back. There isn't one worthy of this high of a choice, however. You could even say that they could use another pass catcher considering that Larry Fitzgerald's legendary career is going to end at some point. How about a hybrid tight end in Pitts? The Florida tight end would assume the role as Arizona's No. 1 tight end even though he's not much of a blocker. Pitts and Dan Arnold would give the Cardinals two quality big targets for Kyler Murray.

The Ringer - Kelly (1/31)

16. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia

Ojulari is an ascending edge player with an explosive first step and a three-down skill set. The Cardinals would add an important piece to their pass-rush group with this pick, a guy who can line up opposite Chandler Jones in the short term and eventually replace him. The Bulldogs star is still just scratching the surface of his potential.

USA Today - Davis (1/28)

16. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

They've got some defensive holes to patch but could slap the franchise tag on late-blooming pass rusher Haason Reddick. However the 6-2, 232-pound Harris -- relatively early as this might be to take a back -- seems uniquely suited to ease the load and punishment on QB Kyler Murray (11 rush TDs in 2020) in the red zone. Harris has 50 TDs over the past two seasons, 39 on the ground, but can also the catch the ball (43 receptions in 2020). And with RB Kenyan Drake unsigned, Harris also plugs a spot.

ESPN - Kiper (1/26)

16. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Arizona could have openings at both corner spots this offseason, with veterans Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick both on the free-agent market. If the Cardinals decide to move on from the over-30 corners, this is the best place to find a new starter. One of the first prospects to opt out of the season, 6-2 Farley looked like a star on the 2019 tape, but he is still raw. He has played defensive back only since 2018. I could also see the Cardinals keeping an eye on the wide receivers in this class; Christian Kirk has not been consistent enough to show that he can be their No. 2 wideout alongside DeAndre Hopkins.

NFL.com - Jeremiah (1/22)

16. Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Phillips is the most gifted pass rusher in this year's draft. He has an excellent get-off, he can bend at the top of his rush and he is a finisher.

Baltimore Sun - Doon (1/22)

16. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

If coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense is going to succeed, quarterback Kyler Murray needs more weapons. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Pitts is a matchup nightmare at tight end, out wide or in the slot and has the potential to be a dominant red-zone threat. Considered a top-10 prospect, he'd be a steal in this range for Arizona.

Previous update: Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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