Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Ford, S Auburn in 6th round
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals go back to defense with their sixth round pick on Saturday
The Arizona Cardinals still haven’t drafted a true cornerback. With their sixth round pick, the selected their second safety of the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Cardinals went with safety Johnathan Ford out of Auburn. They selected Budda Baker out of Washington with their second round pick on Friday.
The Cardinals traded their two seventh round picks to get Ford in the sixth round. The Cardinals did not draft a cornerback or a quarterback.
Johnathan Ford: Very solid slot safety. Poor man's Jabrill Peppers
— Jim Cobern (@Jimetrics) April 29, 2017
The #Cardinals traded away both their seventh round picks for the Raiders' sixth rounder to take Johnathan Ford, a safety from Auburn
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) April 29, 2017
Cardinals pass up on Brad Kaaya again. No QBs taken this draft. Instead, Johnathan Ford from Auburn to boost the secondary.
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) April 29, 2017
What do the Cardinals like? Versatility. They just continued that trend with Auburn DB Johnathan Ford, who played RB and along the secondary
— Jordan Hamm (@JordyHamm) April 29, 2017
The interesting thing here is Ford must have been another guy the Cardinals really coveted. Even though it was seventh round picks, the Cardinals still gave them both away to get Ford.
Ford, at 6’0, 204, had five interceptions over his four seasons at Auburn. He did not have any however in 2016. He did have seven passes defensed last season.
Another thing with Ford is that he is a kick returner. With a couple of these picks today, the Cardinals may have other motives for taking who they did.
The Cardinals special teams was a disaster in 2016, so in addition to their normal positions, the team had to be looking to get better in the return game. Ford returned 15 kickoffs in 2015 and eight in 2016.