It is mock draft season and, with the completion of the Senior Bowl, we have a slightly better picture of the senior prospects. The Arizona Cardinals have a number of needs to fill but do not make their first selection until the 23rd pick in the first round.
In the latest Pro Football Focus mock draft, the Cardinals go with a cornerback, selecting Florida corner Kaiir Elam.
One of the worst cornerback rooms in man coverage desperately needs an infusion of talent, as Cardinals cornerbacks were 31st in the league in Cover 1 coverage grade (29.6) last season. Elam allowed just eight catches on 210 Cover 1 coverage snaps in his career.
The Cardinals do need cornerback talent. The only corners they have under contract are Byron Murphy, Marco Wilson and a pair of guys who signed futures deals — Breon Borders and Jace Whittaker.
If they were to select Elam, he would reunite with Florida teammate Marco Wilson, whom the Cardinals drafted in the fourth round last year. Wilson ended up as starter after veteran Malcolm Butler retired abruptly before the season.
Elam has great length for the position at 6-2 and 196 lbs.
In three seasons at Florida, he had five interceptions and 20 pass breakups.
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