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Arizona Cardinals mock draft: Version number two

By Jim Koch

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Wide Receiver Amari Rodgers #3 from Clemson of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Wide Receiver Amari Rodgers #3 from Clemson of the American Team during the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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The NFL Draft is now just one week away for the Arizona Cardinals. General manager Steve Keim and his cohorts are making last-minute preparations for the three-day event, which will get underway on April 29th. The following is this writer’s second mock draft of the 2021 offseason.

Round one (16)- Both of the starting edge-rushers for the Cardinals, Chandler Jones and Markus Golden, are getting a little long in the tooth. For that reason, Keim and company nab the University of Miami’s Jaelan Phillips with their first-round selection. The 6’6, 265 pounder racked up 45 tackles (15.5 for a loss) and eight sacks for the Hurricanes last fall.

Round two (49)- Arizona waits until the second round to get a cover guy, and their patience pays off. The University of Washington’s Elijah Molden flocks to the desert to join Malcolm Butler, Byron Murphy and Robert Alford at the cornerback post for the Cards. The 5’10,190 pounder contributed 153 tackles, five interceptions and 19 passes defensed in 36 career games for the Huskies.

Round five (160)- Keim doesn’t get to pick again for three rounds, but gets solid value with his fifth-round choice. Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers arrives to give quarterback Kyler Murray yet another target to throw to in the “Air Raid” passing attack. The stocky wideout (5’9, 211) totaled 181 receptions, 2,144 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns during his four collegiate campaigns.

Round six (223)- The Cardinals acquired running back James Conner back on April 13th, but it doesn’t dissuade the organization from grabbing another ball-carrier on the draft’s third day. Marshall University’s Brenden Knox rumbled for 2,852 yards and 24 scores on the ground during his three seasons with the Thundering Herd. The 6’0, 223 pounder also hauled in 27 passes for 239 yards and another touchdown as a pass-catcher for the school.

Round seven (243)- With the first of their two seventh-round choices, Arizona’s front office doubles up at the corner spot. Deommodore Lenior, a 5’10, 200 pounder, registered 158 tackles, six picks and 21 pass breakups in 45 contests for the University of Oregon. The Los Angeles native initially elected to opt out of the 2020 campaign, but changed his mind and wound up competing in seven matchups for the Ducks.

dark. Next. Keim's draft plan makes sense

Round seven (247)- With their final selection of the draft, the Cards land a tight end out of the University of Michigan. Nick Eubanks, a 6’5, 256 pounder, gives the team another pass-catching option at the position. In 24 appearances, Eubanks caught 45 passes for 578 yards and six scores for the Wolverines.

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