With The 5th Pick In The 2011 Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, The Arizona Cardinals Select...

Patrick Peterson - CB, LSU

Pick made by JesusNinja13:

I was quite surprised when Peterson slipped all the way to the Cards at #5. Projected as either 1 or 2 in term of draft talent, I had expected him to get snatched up by the time AZ got around. Because Arizona's biggest need is a pass rushing OLB for their 3-4 (other than QB, which most likely will come from FA), most of my efforts had been in deciding between Von Miller and Robert Quinn at #5. However, when Peterson slipped to the Cards, I didn't hesitate in changing direction. The Cardinals probably need a OLB more than a CB, but CB is still a big need for the 24th ranked pass defense in the league. Especially when that cornerback is Patrick Peterson.

Seen as the most athletic player in the draft, Peterson has all the physical skills to be the next shutdown corner, a la Darrelle Revis. He's big (6-1, 222), fast (timed as fast as 4.3 this season), and has all of the skills of a shutdown corner. He routinely shut down receivers this past year, including top two draft prospects AJ Green and Julio Jones (4 and 3 catches, respectively). Peterson also has the ability to return kicks, scoring on 2 punt returns this season. Peterson has garnered all sorts of praise for his play in 2010, including the Bednarik Award (Best Defender), Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back), 7 different All-American teams, 2010 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and 2010 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

Picking Peterson at #5 allows the Cardinals to get creative with their pass rushing schemes, much like the Jets. With Rodgers-Cromartie and Patrick Peterson starting at cornerback, the Cardinals look to considerably strengthen their much-maligned pass defense. With starting cornerback Michael Adams likely to sign elsewhere this summer, the Cardinals should certainly take Peterson if available at #5.

If Peterson is taken #5 overall, he'd be the third CB taken by the Cardinals in the first round since 2005.  It would also be the fourth time in the last five years an LSU player was taken in the Top 5 of the draft (Jamarcus Russell, Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson).

Patrick Peterson Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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