What will the Arizona Cardinals do with the 16th pick in the NFL draft? We will know in less than 24 hours.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah released his final mock draft and has the Cardinals going with a linebacker for the second year in a row. However, he also believes they could look to move back in the first round.
He has them going with Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins.
The Cardinals are currently without a third- or fourth-round pick, so I’ll be surprised if they don’t trade down and acquire more draft capital. Collins is someone they could target at No. 16 or a little later in the round if they do make a deal. Arizona has embraced hybrid defenders who can line up at multiple spots like Isaiah Simmons, and it adds another one here.
The question is where the Cardinals plan to use him.
He would likely replace Jordan Hicks at inside linebacker in 2022 but in 2021 would they let him sit or would they find a specialized role?
He added 11 pounds between his pro day and his medical check. At 270 pounds, he would be more suited to play outside linebacker as an edge defender.
It does raise questions, though. He would make the fourth intended inside linebacker selected in the first round since 2014 and if they intend on having play outside linebacker, it would be the fourth time they draft a player to move positions.
But if they land Collins after trading down and pick up a third-round pick, it might just be worth it.
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