The Arizona Cardinals’ biggest need entering the offseason was probably at cornerback. One week into free agency and it is still their biggest need. Patrick Peterson has departed and they only have two experienced cornerbacks on the roster.
As many mock drafts have over the last several weeks, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft acknowledges this and projects the Cardinals will select South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn with the 16th overall pick.
With potential future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson gone to Minnesota in free agency, cornerback is a clear need for the Cardinals. Horn had just two interceptions in three college seasons, but he locked down wideouts, and he would be a Day 1 starter for this team. I also thought about pass-rusher — Arizona added J.J. Watt to play with Chandler Jones, but they’re both over 30 and have had injury issues — and wide receiver. A.J. Green is not a long-term solution.
A pass rusher is also another option. Cornerback and edge defender are two premium positions in the NFL and selecting players at those positions in the first round of the draft makes sense.
However, the Cardinals are more or less set at the edge with Jones, Watt and Markus Golden, although all three are 30 or older.
As things stand, Horn would be a Day 1 contributor, which is exciting but is also concerning. The Cardinals prefer not to force rookies to play early on.
With Peterson’s departure, the Cardinals need a new face at cornerback to handle top receivers on the outside. Horn can be that guy.
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