Cardinals: 3 cap casualties that could alter 2021 NFL Draft plans
By Darral Nail
1. Robert Alford, CB
Perhaps the most likely cap casualty on the Cardinals’ roster is veteran cornerback Robert Alford.
A second round pick of the Falcons in 2013’s NFL draft, Alford would emerge as a reliable, productive starter throughout his 6 years in Atlanta. The Cardinals moved quickly to secure Alford’s services following his release after the 2018 season, inking him to a 3-year, $22.5 million contract ($13.5 million guaranteed) in hopes of solidifying the spot opposite star cornerback Patrick Peterson.
However, a spate of season-ending injuries has prevented Alford from seeing the regular season field in Arizona. Couple that with his age (he will turn 33 years old toward the end of the upcoming season), and it could seem prudent for the team to sever its relationship with Alford in exchange for $7.5 million of savings versus 2021’s cap total.
Even if the likes of Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley and Alabama’s Patrick Surtain are off the board when Arizona takes their turn on the clock at pick 16 of the upcoming NFL draft, the team could still be in line to nab a top cornerback prospect such as South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn with their first selection, as reinforcements in the defensive secondary figure to be needed irrespective of Alford’s fate.