ESPN's Mel Kiper, Field Yates pick CB, OL, WR in 3-round mock draft for Arizona Cardinals

USA Today

15-04-2025

ESPN's Mel Kiper, Field Yates pick CB, OL, WR in 3-round mock draft for Arizona Cardinals Field Yates and Mel Kiper alternate picks for three rounds. See who their picks for the Cardinals are.
The NFL draft is nine days away and there is just enough time to get a few more mock drafts in before the actual even takes place. ESPN's Mel Kiper and Field Yates teamed up for a three-round mock draft where they alternated picks. Kiper had the even picks and Yates the odd ones.
Since the Arizona Cardinals have the 16th, 47th and 78th picks, it means both got to make selections for them.
In these projections, the Cardinals do not get a defensive lineman or edge defender in any of their picks, which, if that happened in the actual draft, would be a surprise.
Here is what the mock draft has for the Cardinals
3-round Arizona Cardinals mock draft from Mel Kiper, Field Yates
Round 1 (No. 16 overall): Texas CB Jahdae Barron Round 2 (No. 47 overall): Alabama G Tyler Booker Round 3 No. 78 overall): Maryland WR Tai Felton
Analysis
Barron: There is no doubting his talent and athleticism. A team can truly never have too many good cornerbacks. The question is fit. Barron is projected to be less of an outside boundary shutdown cover guy. He is a slot guy, a playmaker, a safety perhaps.
The Cardinals already have a dynamic slot cornerback in Garrett Williams. Selecting Barron only makes sense if they believe that Williams can be dynamic on the boundary. Otherwise, you are either putting Barron or Williams in a position where they aren't going to be at their best, which isn't ideal for either player.
Booker: Booker is a great pick at a position of need. His athletic testing at the combine raise concerns about his ability to move well enough to be great in the pros, especially in an offensive scheme like Arizona runs with guards pulling and moving, but in the second round, this isn't bad. And his work ethic is very good, as well as his character.
Felton: Felton makes sense. He has length and elite speed, and he was very productive. He also offers some special teams upside. However, about half his production in 2024 came in the non-conference part of his schedule and against weaker competition. While he might be drafted on Day 2, he is more of a Day 3 prospect.
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