2021 NFL Draft: Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson lead trade-filled mock draft
2021 NFL Draft 1st round, 20th overall
CB. Eric Stokes. 32. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Georgia. 20. player
Vance Joseph’s defense has improved from 28th in 2019 to 13th in 2020 in points allowed, even though the Cardinals have a relatively weak group of cornerbacks.
Dre Kirkpatrick has managed to stay healthy and make an impact with three interceptions (tied for the team lead) along with seven pass breakups.
With Kirkpatrick and Patrick Peterson both over the age of 30, the Cardinals need to get younger at the cornerback position. Byron Murphy is a really good nickel corner and will continue to be relied on there, but Arizona needs to make some moves on the outside.
Joseph’s defense requires cornerbacks to excel in press-man, and that could lead to Eric Stokes being a perfect fit.
Stokes has been a tremendous man-up corner in 2020 for the Bulldogs, earning first-team All-American honors with 16 receptions allowed on nearly 240 coverage snaps.
His four interceptions this season are easily a career high and it looks like this is a player with all of the tools physically and athletically to excel early at the next level.
Depending on how his pre-draft testing goes, Stokes could be long gone by this pick.