ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals select Jaycee Horn, Rodgers in ESPN’s 3-round mock draft

Apr 24, 2021, 11:15 AM
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 29: Jaycee Horn #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks tackles Ola...
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 29: Jaycee Horn #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks tackles Olamide Zaccheaus #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper jr. gave the Arizona Cardinals two impact players in their alternating three-round mock draft.

McShay has the Cardinals addressing the cornerback position in the first round, selecting Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina with the No. 16 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Both (of Arizona’s) outside CBs are on one-year deals, and Horn is a tough press corner with wheels. Arizona needs someone who can square up with the elite NFC West receivers now that Patrick Peterson is elsewhere.

During his three-year collegiate career, Horn never missed a game, starting 29 of 30 outings. Horn only appeared in seven games in 2020, opting out after the Gamecocks fired former head coach Will Muschamp.

Horn was responsible for six passes defended, three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2020. Horn was voted second-team All-SEC by opposing coaches despite opting out of the Gamecocks’ last three contests.

Horn’s size and length, along with his ability to shadow a team’s number No. 1 receiver, makes him a player who could step in and contribute immediately, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.

Horn also has an NFL pedigree. His father Joe Horn played 12 years in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

In the second round, it was Kiper’s turn to draft for Arizona. He had the Cardinals adding another weapon to the offense, selecting Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers with the No. 49 pick.

Rodgers is one of the best slot receivers in this class, and Kyler Murray needs an underneath target who knows how to get open.

Over his four-year career with the Tigers, Rodgers hauled in 181 receptions for 2,144 yards and 15 touchdowns.

After the Tigers lost Tee Higgins to the NFL and Justyn Ross to injury, Rodgers turned in the best season of his collegiate career. He led the Tigers with 77 catches for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020.

Like Horn, Rodgers also has an NFL bloodline. Rodgers’ father Tee Martin played quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001) and Oakland Raiders (2003). Martin is now the wide receivers coach for the Baltimore Ravens.

Arizona Cardinals

Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ mock draft scenarios: Arizona keeps the No. 3 pick

Trade the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft or keep it? That's the question Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will answer soon enough.
1 day ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the...
Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees logical landing spot for Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins

The trade speculation surrounding Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins rolls on with each passing day of the offseason.
1 day ago
Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
2 days ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2 days ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
2 days ago
Cardinals select Jaycee Horn, Rodgers in ESPN’s 3-round mock draft