The Arizona Cardinals’ biggest offseason need after signing J.J. Watt is probably at cornerback. There is a lot of uncertainty looking forward to free agency, so the draft is a big possibility.
In fact, with the 16th pick in the first round, it might be the position that makes the most sense, considering the talent at the position and the dropoff after the first few.
This is why ESPN’s Todd McShay has the Cardinals going with South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn in his latest pre-free agency mock draft.
J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones spell problems for opposing QBs, but who will be in coverage? Both starting corners are primed to hit free agency this month, and the Cardinals’ pass defense was middle-of-the-pack last year. Horn will get his hands on passes, bringing length and instinctive play to the outside. In just seven games in 2020, he broke up six passes and picked off two.
There is no doubting the match of talent for the team. The question is whether they pull the trigger on him, select a pass rusher or one of the two very talented offensive linemen still on the board in McShay’s mock draft — USC guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw.
Logic says cornerback. Cardinals offensive line coach prefers not to play rookie offensive linemen. They probably will have the entire line mostly figured out in free agency. They have some young talent already on the roster. They can draft linemen who can be developed later on.
The cornerback talent takes a drop after Horn. If they want to potentially have a rookie cornerback who is contributing on defense, the first round is the best bet.
Is it a good pick? Yes. Will he be available with the 16th pick, as starting cornerbacks tend to go quickly in the draft? That’s a different question.
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