Arizona Cardinals: First round 2021 NFL Draft targets
By Matt Murray
Caleb Farley
Farley entered the draft process as a potential number one corner but with injury concerns growing and a recent surgery causing questions if he will be ready for the start of the 2021 season he has been drastically falling in mock drafts. Although Farley was getting plenty of notice as a top cornerback in the draft much of his value came from his potential, not from previous achievements.
He is an extremely athletic prospect and shows great abilities but has only played one season at cornerback in his career and opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns.
Farley is projected to play best in man coverage and has spectacular ball skills as a former receiver in college. He plays sticky and coverage and shows great agility downfield. His biggest concerns seem to be his ability to stay healthy and developing better tackling habits as there are far too many missed tackles on his tape.
Again, Farley could become the top cornerback out of this class but he is a work in progress and one that may miss the offseason so this doesn’t feel like the right match for Vance Joseph and the Cardinals who already tend to progress rookie defenders slowly.
Asante Samuel Jr.
Yet another cornerback prospect with connections to the NFL, Asante Samuel Jr. is the son of former NFL CB Asante Samuel of the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Falcons. Samuel Jr. is the smallest of the cornerbacks in this group measuring in at 5’10” and 184 lbs. He finishes out the group as another player that will need to play in a man coverage scheme as he has not had much opportunity to play or progress much in zone coverage.
Samuel’s size may end up forcing him to play more of a role in the slot and would then make the Cardinals decide if Byron Murphy is ready to play outside. Samuel shows superb tackling technique, agility, and foot technique which helps offset his size compared to the other top cornerbacks in the class.