ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals to pick 16th in 2021 NFL Draft after 8-8 finish

Jan 4, 2021, 8:08 AM

Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim speaks during a press conference at the NFL football s...

Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

After falling in their season finale to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals locked themselves into the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The finish tied the Cardinals with the AFC West’s Las Vegas Raiders at 8-8 on the season.

Arizona earned the pick ahead of Las Vegas because of its weaker strength of schedule: Cardinals opponents had a .475 winning percentage to the Raiders’ opposition with a .539.

Now it comes down to what Cardinals general manager Steve Keim prioritizes in the first round.

He will have options. The 10-20 range of ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay’s latest mock includes two wide receivers, one running back, a center, three interior defensive linemen, one outside linebacker, one inside linebacker, a safety and a cornerback.

Before the Wild Card round of the playoffs begins this weekend, the order of the first 18 picks in the 2021 draft goes like so:

2021 NFL Draft order

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15)

2. New York Jets (2-14)

3. Miami Dolphins (10-6) — Acquired via Laremy Tunsil trade with 4-12 Houston

4. Atlanta Falcons (4-12)

5. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)

6. Philadelphia Eagles (4-11-1)

7. Detroit Lions (5-11)

8. Carolina Panthers (5-11)

9. Denver Broncos (5-11)

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)

11. New York Giants (6-10)

12. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

13. Los Angeles Chargers (7-9)

14. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

15. New England Patriots (7-8)

16. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

17. Las Vegas Raiders (8-8)

18. Miami Dolphins (10-6)

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

7 hours ago

Chiefs Eagles...

Associated Press

Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl 3-peat with dominant defense in rout

The Chiefs didn't come close to completing their 3-peat, as the Eagles' dominant defense led Philadelphia to a rout and Super Bowl victory.

20 hours ago

Cooper DeJean...

Damon Allred

Eagles stun Chiefs with pick-6, shutout first half in Super Bowl

Cooper DeJean had more yards on his pick-six than Patrick Mahomes had to his own team as the Philadelphia Eagles blitzed the Kansas City Chiefs to a shutout first half.

22 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers...

Associated Press

Jets tell Aaron Rodgers they’re ‘moving on’ from the QB for next season, report says

Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating whether to continue his playing career. If he does, it appears it won’t be with the New York Jets.

24 hours ago

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

1 day ago

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday...

Associated Press

Eagles’ Super Bowl path paved by prowess of their offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

1 day ago

Cardinals to pick 16th in 2021 NFL Draft after 8-8 finish