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2021 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals get defensive in SB Nation Writer Mock Draft

NCAA Football: Cincinnati at UCLA Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

With the NFL Draft a week away the Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL are likely locked in and going through different scenarios.

We are doing the same thing here at Revenge of the Birds.

It’s interesting when you don’t control the mock how things turn.

This year’s SB Nation NFL Writer Mock Draft has come and gone and the Cardinals sitting at 16, without the ability to trade, had a decision to make.

First, the top 15 picks:

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

San Fransisco 49ers: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Atlanta Falcons: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Los Angeles Chargers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

This made the pick for the Cardinals extremely difficult, but in the end it came to.

Pick No. 16. Arizona Cardinals/Revenge of the Birds: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE - Miami

The way the board has fallen, Arizona normally would be looking at a cornerback, an offensive lineman or even a wide receiver who could fall to this spot. However, in an EDGE class that’s filled without a standout bonafide top-10 pick on the board, Jaelan Phillips stands above the other EDGE players in this class and also fills a need in the short and long-term to give Arizona one scary defense.

Check out the rest of our thoughts and more on the draft in the SB Nation Writer Mock.