There is a new mock draft out from ESPN’s Mel Kiper and it has a twist. For the first time, he included projected trades in his mock draft. Quarterbacks come off the board in a hurry.
That doesn’t really change things for the Arizona Cardinals.
With the 16th pick in the first round, they fill a major need and take South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn.
With longtime star Patrick Peterson likely gone in free agency, corner is a clear void for the Cardinals, who struggled down the stretch last season after starting 5-2. Their defense should get a boost with the return of pass-rusher Chandler Jones from injury, but they need more talent in the secondary. Horn is not a ball hawk, but the instincts are there. He is around the ball more than the stat sheet shows (he had only two interceptions over three seasons at South Carolina). Offensive line and wide receiver are two other positions Arizona could look toward.
Horn is the third cornerback off the board and does fit what the Cardinals need.
If the go with an offensive lineman or a receiver, this mock draft had Florida’s Kadarius Toney available, who is selected with the 20th pick, and lineman Christian Darrisaw out of Virginia Tech. No one would fault them for taking either player.
Pass rushers often connected to the Cardinals in other mock drafts, like Miami’s Gregory Rousseau and Jaelan Phillips and also Michigan’s Kwity Paye, are all available as well.
The Cardinals have no depth at corner at the moment. Assuming Horn is what he is believed to be able to become, it would take care of an immediate need that will continue to be a need down the line.
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