Friday, April 2, 2021

Arizona Cardinals 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 8.0

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 (4/1)

16. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

With Patrick Peterson, Dre Kirkpatrick and Johnathan Joseph no longer on the roster, the Cardinals have signed Malcolm Butler and (cut and then) re-signed Robert Alford to one-year deals. In other words, cornerback remains one of the team's bigger needs heading into the draft.

Especially given the Stephon Gilmore rumors that have circulated in Foxboro, it wouldn't surprise me if Horn went off the board a pick earlier than this. (And interestingly enough, the 49ers trade up to No. 3 allows the Cards to get their man as he likely would have been their non-QB pick if they stayed at No. 12.)

The son of former Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee excels in press-man coverage due to his size, physical playing style and competitive demeanor. He helped his case with a strong performance at South Carolina's Pro Day -- 4.39 forty, 41.5" vertical and 11'1" broad jump.

ESPN - McShay (4/1)

18. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Patrick Peterson is off to Minnesota, both starting outside corners -- Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford -- signed one-year deals and Byron Murphy Jr. is mainly a nickelback. Farley had a back procedure at the end of March, and though it isn't expected to impact his training camp availability, it's a concern. Still, he is the best cover corner in the class and fits what the Cardinals are looking for on the outside.

Baltimore Sun - Doon (3/31)

16. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Cardinals will be happy to take whichever cornerback ends up falling to No. 16 after losing Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick from what was a mediocre secondary in 2020. Farley has some injury concerns after another back surgery but was one of the nation's top corners in 2019.

EDSFootball - Donahue (3/29)

16. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

If the draft plays out this way, the Cardinals will feel fortunate that one of the top three cornerbacks actually fell to them, especially after Patrick Peterson officially left for Minnesota. Farley only falls down to 16 because of his recent back surgery that kept him from performing at his pro day but all reports say he should be cleared by training camp so I don't think he falls much further than this.

San Diego Union Tribune (3/29)

16. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

If you're a fantasy player who is excited about Chase Edmonds' potential as a featured back now that Kenyan Drake has moved on, don't get your hopes up. Harris has evolved into an all-around threat. Of course, he's a powerful runner with his size (6-foot-2, 230 pounds), but he's also developed into a great receiver out of the backfield and he's improved significantly in pass-protection.

L.A. Times - Farmer (3/29)

16. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Even though he's supposed to be ready for training camp, Farley just underwent back surgery so he could wind up sliding.

New York Post - Serby (3/27)

16. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

His fall stops here following news of back surgery that hopefully will see him ready for training camp. J.J. Watt arrives as a bookend for Chandler Jones, and now defensive coordinator Vance Joseph gets an athletic 6-foot-2, 207-pound replacement for Patrick Peterson (Vikings).

The Ringer - Kelly (3/26)

16. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

The Cardinals worked to improve in the trenches on both sides of the ball in free agency: They brought in defensive lineman J.J. Watt, re-signed edge rusher Markus Golden, and traded for center Rodney Hudson. Now they can turn their attention to becoming more dynamic on offense, a goal that veteran receiver A.J. Green just isn't going to help with much. Waddle is a lighting-fast playmaker who's capable of stretching a defense deep and picking up yards after the catch.

Newsday - Klopsis (3/26)

17. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Patrick Peterson left for the Vikings and Dre Kirkpatrick remains unsigned, and although the Cardinals brought in Malcolm Butler, there's still not much depth. Jaycee Horn --the son of former NFL receiver Joe Horn -- is a lengthy outside corner who thrives in physical, press coverage.

Previous update: Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Roundup 7.0

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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