Rounding up the way-too-early mock drafts for Cardinals in 2021

Arizona Cardinals fans got a treat last weekend with the NFL Draft.

That was not only because it was a welcome and much-needed oasis of sports in what has otherwise been a dry landscape with the coronavirus pandemic, but also because the Cardinals had a particularly good draft with highly-projected players falling to them.

Maybe that makes this a good time to look forward to the 2021 draft.

Looking around the media world at what pundits are saying about next year’s draft class, here’s a collection of mocks that try to guess where the Cardinals will pick (and therefore guessing how they do in 2020) and who they’ll take with their selection.

CBS Sports: Stanford CB Paulson Adebo, 12th overall

Author: Ryan Wilson

Comment: “Adebo didn’t have a strong 2019 campaign and returned to school. If he can bounce back in 2020, he’ll find himself again in the first-round conversation.”

Arizona takes a cornerback to bolster a defense that enters 2020 with Patrick Peterson, Robert Alford, Byron Murphy and Isaiah Simmons atop that part of the depth chart. Peterson is on an expiring deal.

Adebo had 64 tackles, four interceptions and 17 passes defensed in 13 games as a sophomore in 2018. But in 2019, he regressed to 33 tackles and 10 passes defensed, albeit in only nine games. And he still had four interceptions.

Fox Sports: Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman, 24th overall

Author: Jason McIntyre

Comment: “Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury shock the world in season two, and then must replace the ageless Larry Fitzgerald.”

McIntyre thinks highly of the Cardinals, expecting them to be a late draft pick after a strong 2020. Larry Fitzgerald, who continues to re-up on one-year contracts, will need replacing sooner than later. Bateman had a breakout 2019 with 1,219 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Sports Illustrated: Ohio State CB Shaun Wade, 11th overall

Author: Kevin Hanson

Comment: “Another draft, another Ohio State cornerback in the first round. After playing in the slot with 2020 first-rounders Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette outside, Wade will move to outside cornerback next season. The former five-star recruit has the size, length and athleticism to excel there as well. Not only have the Cardinals been searching for an upgrade opposite Patrick Peterson for a long time, but Peterson is entering a contract year in his age-30 season.”

Again, Peterson is on an expiring deal and the Cardinals might need help there, depending on how other players pan out and what they do in free agency.

Bleacher Report: Texas OT Samuel Cosmi, ninth overall

Author: Matt Miller

Comment: “Kliff Kingsbury and the Arizona Cardinals focused on defense in the first round of the 2020 draft and instead waited for Houston’s Josh Jones in Round 3. But with D.J. Humphries’ play uneven and his future uncertain, the front office is in position to get a very athletic, very promising left tackle in Texas’ Samuel Cosmi in 2021.”

The Cardinals drafted Jones and may have him compete for the right tackle spot with Justin Murray and Marcus Gilbert in 2020. Humphries has multiple years left on his deal and had a strong 2019, but his injury history could be the uncertainty Miller is referring to.

SB Nation: Tennessee OG Trey Smith, 11th overall

Author: Dan Kadar

Comment: “Smith could be the rare top-of-the-first-round guard in 2021. The 6’6, 335-pound Smith has history at left tackle and left guard, and will probably be projected as an interior player in the NFL.”

Same as the above — The Cardinals have veterans on the offensive line and may look to add more pieces to the future of that group. They enter 2020 with Justin Pugh and J.R. Sweezy at the top of the depth chart at left and right guard, respectively.

247Sports: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II, 10th overall

Author: Charles Power

Comment: “The Cardinals should be able to score points in bunches with Kliff Kingsbury at the helm and Kyler Murray behind center. They also could be looking for a Patrick Peterson replacement, and Surtain II looks to fit the bill. Aside from sharing first names and being from South Florida, Surtain II has similarities to Peterson with both physical traits and playing style.”

Corner was a popular position to pick for the Cardinals in 2021 way-too-early mocks. Surtain has played and 27 college games and has three interceptions in that time. Last year, as a sophomore, he had 42 tackles and eight passes defensed with three forced fumbles.

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