Raising Zona
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Three prospects Arizona Cardinals must consider if they trade down

By Sion Fawkes

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Rashod Bateman #0 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers warms up before a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Rashod Bateman #0 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers warms up before a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Asante Samuel Jr.

Like Patrick Surtain II, Asante Samuel Jr. boasts strong NFL bloodlines. His father, Asante Samuel, was a four-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. He also twice led the league in interceptions.

Also like his dad, Samuel Jr. is somewhat undersized, at just 5’10, and 184lb. However, with Patrick Peterson possibly leaving in free agency and the jury still out on Robert Alford, the Cardinals may find themselves in dire need at corner.

But even if they keep Peterson around, he’s no longer a true number one corner. At best, Peterson is a part-time starter at corner at this stage in his career and it may do him well to move to safety. Asante Samuel Jr. is more than capable of filling in a huge need if the Cardinals trade into the latter portion of the first round.

In 2020, Samuel Jr. showed off his ball-hawking skills, with 3 interceptions. Including a 74-yard runback against Georgia Tech. He also had 6 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries over an 8-game season at Florida State.

Trading up to draft Surtain would be a ringer for the Cardinals. But if they miss on Surtain and are targeting corner with their top draft pick, Samuel makes a fantastic consolation.

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