We have taken one step closer to the NFL draft with the completion of the Senior Bowl over the weekend. With the performance of players in the game and the week of practice in Mobile, Alabama, and also after the agreed trade between the L.A. Rams and Detroit Lions, Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield has a new mock draft.
In these new projections, the Arizona Cardinals land a promising prospect at a position of extreme need this offseason.
Schofield has the Cardinals taking South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn with the 16th pick overall.
The Arizona Cardinals could go in a number of different directions with this selection. Some have linked the Cardinals with a presence off the edge, and that is exactly where I went in Mock Draft 1.0, having Arizona draft Michigan EDGE Kwity Paye. Many others have linked the Cardinals with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, but he just came off the board to the New England Patriots in the prior selection.
So as teams must, the Cardinals shift gears here and look at the secondary. With Patrick Peterson and Budda Baker Arizona has some pieces in place, but adding another coverage corner will give defensive coordinator Vance Joseph some flexibility in the secondary and the ability to perhaps play the matchup game a bit more. Jaycee Horn is a strong and long corner with some press coverage traits who began his college career playing inside before shifting to the boundary. Before his decision to opt out after playing in six games this season, Horn flashed ball skills that you want to see in a cornerback. Adding him to the mix allows Joseph to play him inside or outside depending on opponent.
With Patrick Peterson’s future with the team uncertain, the Cardinals need to get better and younger at the position. Horn would be a great addition to the defense. He also offers flexibility, able to cover inside or out.
The Heisman Trophy-winning Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith is on the board still and doesn’t go in this mock draft until the 20th pick. If he is on the board, the Cardinals surely will have to consider him. He would pair nicely with DeAndre Hopkins.
Of course, by the time the draft rolls around, the Cardinals will have addressed some needs in free agency, allowing them to be able to pick the most talented player they like.
If that ends up being Horn, there isn’t anything wrong with that.
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