The Daily Blitz: Arizona Cardinals 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 9.0

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 from recent NFL mock drafts for the Cardinals:

EDSFootball - Hanson (4/15)

16. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Other than his slight frame (6-0, 170), what is not to like about Smith? An outstanding route-runner, the sure-handed receiver has been been uber-productive the past two years.

If Smith had declared last year, he would have joined Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy as first-round receivers. This year, he'll join teammate Jaylen Waddle as a first-rounder. Despite the star-studded receiving corps in Tuscaloosa, it was Smith that led the team in receiving yards (1,256) and touchdowns (14) last season. This year, the Heisman Trophy winner really stepped up with the injury to Waddle as he led the FBS in receptions (117) and yards (1,856) and was second in touchdowns (23).

Fox Sports - Rang (4/15)

16. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

DeAndre Hopkins was an immediate hit in the heat of Arizona, but no one else truly stepped up as a secondary target for Kyler Murray. Toney is a future No. 1 target in his own right. Dynamic after the catch, he would be an ideal complement to the bigger (but slower) Hopkins.

CBS Sports - Jones (4/14)

16. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

No excuses for Kyler Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury in 2021. I could easily see the Cards going corner here but Toney's speed and versatility should make the Arizona brass salivate. Cardinals need a burner, and they'll get it with Toney's sub-4.40 speed.

Washington Post - Clayton (4/14)

16. Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC

The Cardinals could take an edge rusher here, but Vera-Tucker might be too good to pass up. Five of their top six linemen will be 30 or older by July, so this pick would help them get younger.

The Athletic - Brugler (4/14)

16. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

What a steal if Smith falls this far. The Cardinals have solid role players behind DeAndre Hopkins on the receiver depth chart and there are arguably greater team needs, but Arizona can't pass on Smith and his impact in that offense.

Yahoo Sports! - Edholm (4/13)

16. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

The Cardinals certainly could trade down here. Right now, they lack picks in Rounds 3, 4 and 6 and currently have one selection in a nearly 200-pick span between Days 2 and 3.

If this scenario unfolded, with the Heisman Trophy-winning Smith still on the board, he'd be tough to pass up. They signed A.J. Green, and Larry Fitzgerald hasn't yet said whether he'll come back, but adding Smith to this group would be a no-brainer. The Cardinals have no great tight ends -- just go four- and five-wide all game.

ESPN - Kiper (4/13)

16. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Farley is my top-ranked corner, but he could be the third off the board depending on his medical checks. He had back surgery last month -- a microdiscectomy -- and wasn't able to work out at his pro day, which means teams weren't able to see him up close after he opted out of the 2020 season. At his best, though, Farley has the highest ceiling of all the defensive backs in this class. Arizona let Patrick Peterson walk in free agency and signed Malcolm Butler on a short-term deal, but it could still address the position here.

NFL.com - Schrager (4/8)

7. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Pitts isn't falling out of the top eight. Too many teams are intoxicated by him. I've got the Cardinals as aggressors -- as they've been all offseason -- with Steve Keim bringing in yet another weapon for Kyler Murray. Arizona gives up this year's first-rounder, next year's first and next year's third to move up from No. 16.

Previous update: Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Roundup 8.0

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Arizona Cardinals 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 9.0

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