2019 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals 7-round mock draft 2.0

6 of 8

CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 17: Bug Howard #84 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a fingertip catch against Jimmy Moreland #37 of the James Madison Dukes during the game at Kenan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Round 5

James Madison. Jimmy Moreland. 32. Pick Analysis. CB. 139. player. Scouting Report

Yup, three classic Keim picks in a row. This time, Jimmy Moreland out of James Madison could be the recipient of the ’19 ‘Cardinals small-school draft pick’ award.

Moreland is about as accomplished as small school cornerbacks come, and that’s why he’s the second player in this mock draft to be on the last one. The 5-11, 175-lb defensive back won more awards in ’18 than I have fingers, including FCS first-team All-American, FCS AP First-Team All-American, and CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Although he didn’t earn an invite to the 2019 NFL Combine, he impressed scouts at both the East-West Shrine Game and Reeses Senior Bowl.

In college, he can best be described as ball-hawk. He tallied 18 career interceptions and 63 pass deflections during his James Madison tenure. Despite not possessing ideal size, he’s not afraid to make a hit and be physical in the run game either.

While I am a fan of Moreland, Draft Network’s scout Trevor Sikkema is an even bigger fan, as he had more than a few kind words to say about the James Madison cornerback while analyzing him;

"He’s likely a slot cornerback at the next level, but he’s so sudden in his movements side to side that I think he can take a lot of the success he had as an outside cornerback and move it inside as a potential full-time nickel player."

What you are getting in Jimmy Moreland is a guy who is fast, agile, can track the ball in the air, has hands like a wide receiver, will be physical when need be, will talk trash to opponents all game long, and a mentality to shut down his opponents in every way possible.

He’s not the name fans will push for, but he does have some well-respected fans across the NFL landscape. If he’s available at the start of the fifth round, and you have Steve Keim’s number, I would advise you to call him and request to draft Jimmy Moreland, especially with the lack of nickel cornerbacks currently on the roster.

Home/Cardinals Draft