Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft: Retooling the Roster Around Franchise QB Kyler Murray
By Hunter Haas
Round 2, Pick 36: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The cornerback position is the biggest need on the roster if the Cardinals fail to re-sign Bryon Murphy. Murphy has blossomed into a solid contributor on the boundary, holding down the fort as the CB1 since the franchise moved on from Patrick Peterson. The two should agree on an extension, but the front office will actively search for a steady CB2.
The Cardinals have players to re-sign in-house this offseason, so they are unlikely to sign any big-name free agents. Because of this, the 2023 NFL Draft is where they can stand to upgrade the secondary. With an early selection on day two of the draft, the Cardinals add a cornerback with elite ball skills and sky-high potential.
Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes intercepted a jaw-dropping 14 passes in only three seasons with the Bulldogs. Additionally, Forbes returned six of those interceptions for a touchdown, setting an SEC record for pick-6s in a career. Production is only part of the equation with Forbes.
What typically separates the elite from the good at the cornerback position is confidence. Forbes is a lanky defender that excels at disrupting passing lanes and hounding receivers downfield. The best part of it all? He is always willing to let you hear about it. A big hit? A pass breakup? An important tackle? You’ll see Forbes’ personality jump off the screen.
The Cardinals’ defense enters the offseason with some great building blocks: Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons, Byron Murphy, and Budda Baker. Leaving the 2023 NFL Draft with a top pass rusher and one of the best cornerbacks in the class would immediately make Arizona a juggernaut on the defensive side of the football.