Arizona Cardinals 7 round mock draft, SEC only edition

Finally, we add a cornerback, this time in the seventh in Kentucky’s Derrick Baity.

The cornerback has excellent technique and patience when in press coverage as well as proper body control. I have never seen him off balanced in the tape I’ve watched. He won’t hesitate to come in and deliver the big hits on screen-plays. Despite his lanky 6-foot-2, 197-pound frame, don’t be surprised to see him lay the boom.

Mental processing is excellent when he gets his head around to find the ball.

Baity looks to be more at the hands of receivers than he is a ball skills guy. He plays through the hands of the receiver well. I have seen him break up several passes as a result, but he isn’t one to locate the ball with his back to it. He seems to also have good mental processing.

However, I think Baity will fall to the seventh because he’s more of a reactor than an anticipator. If he can develop his game and add some weight to his frame I don’t see how the Kentucky product wouldn’t be a steal at the end of day three.

The Cardinals need more weapons for Kingsbury and their Quarterback to play with, and Davis is another guy that can do just that.

Measuring in at 5-foot-9 and 175-pounds Davis is a smaller receiver but makes up for it with excellent YAC ability. While he’s not the biggest guy, he’s shifty and creative in space. His open field creativity and elusiveness would merit him as a candidate to do so early with the Cardinals.

Although he’s been regulated to more of a YAC receiver, he’s shown the ability to catch outside his frame and highpoint the ball. But, he’s far from complete. His route tree is limited, and his frame is a concern, but there’s no doubt that he’d be a fun player to watch on the field.

Davis has shown a high motor and will fight for every yard he can. It’s a game of inches, and Kingsbury may be able to get those inches with Davis as a gadget player on tunnel screens and reverse plays earlier on his career. If he can develop more, he may be the perfect slot option for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

Another interior offensive lineman, Stallings is an excellent prospect from Kentucky. Over his career with the Wildcats, Stallings allowed just 7.0 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 23 hurries along with a decent rating of 77.0, per Pro Football Focus. But, one mark that concerns me with advanced stats is he has taken 10 penalties over 1,868 snaps.

His re-anchor ability is better than what you’ll get at first contact. He’s been known to get busted being late to get his hands on rushers, in part because of his lack of length and just okay 6-foot-3, 304-pound frame. But his natural leverage and good balance allow him to recover well and re-anchor.

Stallings plays balanced and controlled but isn’t an athletic marvel as his footwork is far from nimble. But, he’s tenacious, and I’d like him as the Cardinals’ last pick. He’s a gritty player and could be a nice player to add to the guard rotation.

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