2021 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper's first 2021 NFL Mock Draft has Arizona Cardinals getting a cornerback

The Godfather of the NFL Draft Mel Kiper has released his first mock draft of the 2021 season.

Kiper is the original and no matter who your favorite draft analyst is, Kiper paved the way.

Let’s take a look at Mel Kiper’s first 2021 NFL Mock Draft on E$PN.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Arizona could have openings at both corner spots this offseason, with veterans Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick both on the free-agent market. If the Cardinals decide to move on from the over-30 corners, this is the best place to find a new starter. One of the first prospects to opt out of the season, the 6-foot-2 Farley looked like a star on the 2019 tape, but he is still raw. He has played defensive back only since 2018. I could also see the Cardinals keeping an eye on the wide receivers in this class; Christian Kirk has not been consistent enough to show that he can be their No. 2 wideout alongside DeAndre Hopkins.

Astute analysis and probably right on for the Cardinals.

When I talked to people I trust about Farley the name that keeps coming up as a comparison is Jimmy Smith of the Baltimore Ravens. Farley has tools that a lot of players don’t have, you may have to wait a year or two to see them all, but he has the look of a long-term NFL starter.

How would feel about Farley as the Cardinals pick?