The Arizona Cardinals have selected five cornerbacks in the last two drafts and three of them have been with top-90 picks. Could they select one in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft?
That's what NFL.com's Eric Edholm's new mock draft projects for them.
With the 16th pick in the draft, he has the Cardinals selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron.
Barron moved outside last season and proved he could handle that duty. I think the Cards could take a chance on his ballhawking skills, and -- at worst -- he's a hybrid defender or a nickelback. Those have had increased value around the league in the past few years, especially the ones with a knack for playmaking.
It would be an interesting selection if they see him as a nickel corner because they believe Garrett Williams is great in the slot. Now, if they believe Williams can play the boundary as well with Barron in the slot, it works. But they have Sean Murphy-Bunting and drafted Max Melton in the second round last year.
While a team can never have too many players who can cover opposing receivers, and a true shutdown cornerback is rare, it does feel like this would be a letdown, as many feel the Cardinals will target a pass rusher off the edge, an interior defensive line or an offensive lineman.
He is a playmaking corner. He led the SEC with five interceptions last season and broke up 11 passes as an All-American.
In Edholm's projections, they pass on pass rushers like Mike Green and Donovan Ezeiruaku, defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and offensive linemen Kelvin Banks and Josh Simmons.
A cornerback is a premium position and he comes from a big college football program.
This isn't out of the question.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals land CB in Round 1
