Many expected the Cardinals to use an early pick on corner in the 2021 NFL Draft, but they used a pair of Day 3 picks instead to address the position with Florida's Marco Wilson and UCF's Tay Gowan in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively. Considering that Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford will be unrestricted free agents in 2022, corner will be a popular position mocked to the Cardinals again.
Since 2014, the Buckeyes have had seven cornerbacks selected in the first round. Banks, who led the Buckeyes with seven pass breakups in 2020, has a good combination of size (6-1, 200), length and footwork.
It surprised a few observers when the Arizona Cardinals added a linebacker in the first round instead of a coverage player, but the addition of Zaven Collins could certainly pay dividends for the Arizona defense in 2021. But if the team looks to address the secondary in the 2022 NFL draft, Josh Jobe could be the player they look to add. Jobe stepped into the starting lineup this past season opposite Patrick Surtain II, and notched 11 pass breakups and 55 tackles. He is a physical cornerback who is active both at the catch point and against the run.
If you want a breakout star in 2021, this is your guy. The former five-star recruit has played only 337 career snaps -- with a career-high 130 coming last season -- but he's been about as productive as one can be on those reps. On only 196 career pass-rushing snaps, he's generated 51 pressures. He's still slim at his listed 230 pounds but has room to grow into his long 6-foot-5 frame.
The Cardinals lost Patrick Peterson to free agency, and both of their starters outside -- Robert Alford and Malcolm Butler -- are on one-year deals. I did like the Day 3 selections of Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan, but I think Arizona could look at the cornerback pool next April. Banks has good size, length and speed.
Cross is a powerful blocker who can do damage at the second level in the run game with premium athleticism and his target-lock awareness. Top-10 is a possibility if he develops as a pass protector.
At this time last year, Derion Kendrick was the Clemson cornerback that NFL scouts were talking about. But now that buzz belongs to Booth. Although he has room to tidy up his technique, he does an outstanding job of locating and making plays on the ball (check out his one-handed interceptions).
Spiller is in the running for RB1 after two years for A&M where he's averaged nearly 1,000 rushing yards a season to go along with 19 rushing TDs while averaging 5.5 yards per catch.
Mays has been a long-time force in the SEC. After starting for two seasons at Georgia, Mays returned home to Tennessee, where he instantly snatched a starting guard spot. Whether or not the Cardinals will actually invest in the OL, who knows, but they could use a guard and Mays' blend of power and flexibility is enticing. Mays has also spent some amount of time at all five OL spots, so trying to fit him into the lineup should never be an issue.
