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Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Round Up

The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl and the draft should be the last thing on our minds but this is a big week in preparation for that weekend in late April (the 25th and 26th to be exact). If you've turned on the NFL Network this week you've probably seen plenty of coverage from the Senior Bowl. For good reason, I haven't been tuned into anything concerning the draft yet, but I couldn't help but get sucked in the other day as I watched some of the Senior Bowl practices. That naturally led to searching for some mock drafts and wondering who the Cardinals would be targeting this year. With that in mind, here's what the draft-niks are saying right now:

Star-divide

  • NFL Draft Countdown: Knowshon Moreno (RB), Geogia - There aren't many teams with a more potent passing game than Arizona but their ground attack leaves something to be desired. Edgerrin James already has one foot out the door and while at one point it looked like Tim Hightower might be the long-term solution at running back his lackluster performance down the stretch indicates he is probably best suited for the short-yardage / goalline role. Knowshon Moreno is only a red shirt sophomore but he had two amazing seasons for the Dawgs and will most likely be one of the first two running backs selected. In some ways Moreno is similar to Cadillac Williams in that he doesn't have elite size or speed but he makes up for it with outstanding instincts and vision. Moreno could very well be gone by this point and if that is the case Arizona could turn their attention to LeSean McCoy. The Cardinals could also still use some help along the offensive line. Mike Gandy is solid but they could do a whole lot better at left tackle and a guy like Max Unger would be major upgrades over Lyle Sendlein at center. Don't rule out a pass rushing outside linebacker for their 3-4 defense either because even though they have a bunch of solid players like Bert Berry and Chike Okeafor they lack a genuine difference maker. (For the record though, they do have the Cardinals picking at 21st)
  • Draft Tek: Chris Wells (RB), Ohio State - They don't offer any kind of descriptions but if you've never checked out this site, it's worth a look. They are the only site I've found that uses a computer program to simulate the draft using team needs. Obviously this may not work if a team goes by a 'best player avaliable' strategy but it's still a fascinating site that includes a simulation where you can enter the Cardinals' needs as you see them and simulate a full seven round draft.
  • New Era Scouting: Jason Smith (OT), Baylor - No description
  • NFL Draft 101: Eben Britton (OT), Arizona - The Cardinals offensive line has improved but still needs a bookend left tackle to play opposite Levi Brown.
  • NFL Draft Dog: Shonn Greene (RB), Iowa - Greene (5' 11" 220 lbs) came out of no-where in 2008 and won the Doak Walker Award.
  • Football Jabber (Lee): LeShean McCoy (RB), Pittsburgh - No description
  • Football Jabber (TJ): Alex Mack (C), California - How many times have you seen Kurt Warner stand in shotgun formation and survey the field only to see the snap come unexpected and hit him square in the chest this year? Mack is regarded as one of better centers to come along in a very long time. Arizona would be wise to grab him to eliminate those miscues and improve the interior blocking.
  • FFToolbox (Standing): Brandon Pettigrew (TE), Oklahoma - The Cardinals ground game has been much improved in the playoffs, but finding another option like LeSean McCoy here would make sense. Yet Pettigrew, who is touted as a receiver and blocker, is a strong prospect and would fill a need in the passing game that has been a weak link for some time.
  • FFToolbox (Long): LeShean McCoy (RB), Pittsburgh - Edgerrin James had a nice run in the playoffs to help the Cardinals offense get to the Super Bowl, but he is on the slower side of 30 and Arizona needs a young, speedy RB to pair with power runner Tim Hightower. While he only played at Pittsburgh for 2 seasons, he made the most of his time with the Panthers rushing for 2731 yards, had another 543 receiving yards, and 36 total touchdowns. McCoy was one of the top elite running back prospects coming out of high school (he was timed in the forty at 4.25 at the time), and would be a great addition to the Cardinals offensive plans under head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

There are countless other mocks out there but that gives you a pretty good idea. It looks like most outsiders see running back as our biggest need and I'm kind of surprised that there aren't more offensive linemen, but that's just me. What other sites do you guys use and what are the most pressing needs in your minds?

0 recs  |  Comment 19 comments

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Its going to feel weird watching to Cards take there pick 31st or 32nd..

But I think our O line is fine. Gandy has done a fine job so far and Lyle has improved quite a bit. Running Back has to be a concern with Edge most likely leaving and Tim still developing.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 21, 2009 10:19 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

Personal foul on Gandy.

He justed picked up a stupid penalty for a late hit on my grandmother. I guess he’s upset that he got burned again for another sack on Warner. He may be somewhat solid, but he does get burned about as much as Hood.

by hevchv on Jan 22, 2009 5:03 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I like going after a premier RB who is a burner in the 1st...

if there is still a solid pickup on the board or we trade up and LB, OL, DL depth in the 2-5 or 6th rounds. With a later pick we need to solidify depth. After that, if there is still a decent Punter around pick one up. If Warner comes back, we’re good as is at QB. If not, we need to go after a solid backup QB in FA to push Lienart and give us a little depth.
Although it’s a glaring need, I think TE can also be locked up in free agency unless there is someone we just can not pass on.

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Jan 21, 2009 12:02 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

Spach?

So youre not big on Spach?

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 21, 2009 12:43 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Spach

Spach will be fine once he comes back from his injury. They may need to pick up someone to be in reserve but I think it will be in the draft. As far as a punter, Graham has been OK and they have Waylon Prather on contract to come play in 2009.

by kj197728 on Jan 21, 2009 10:16 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Spach is solid...

but what if he goes down again or he’s not the same when he comes back. Reconstructive knee surgery is no minor task to have a 100% recovery from. Graham has been a solid replacement this year and really stepped up to the plate, but I don’t think he’s a long term solution to our ST woes. I’m not overly impressed with his 41-42 yard avg. No idea who Waylon Prather is so I really can’t speak on him.

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Jan 22, 2009 9:04 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Cardinals pick at 31/32

Arizona hasn’t picked up a RB in a first round since Jones in 2000. It isn’t worth the first round pick to take a RB. RB is a reach at 31/32. The biggest part of the running game that failed the team isn’t the RB but is the O-Line. They have been somewhat effective through the playoffs but still need to upgrade. They could use a Left OT, C and Right OG. They need to also look at a serious DE/OLB for a pass rush, another big DT/NT to stuff the run, or a CB to replace Hood as he is regressing and getting burned deep. I see the best chances for the first few picks are either Herman Johnson at OG or Eben Britton at OT, then Larry English at DE/OLB or Darius Butler at CB and then Eric Wood at C. You would then have monster linemen at guard/tackle and center to open up holes and a DE for a pass rush or CB for pass protection. Then you can fill in a RB spot with a value runner like Glen Coffee from Alabama that can split carries with Hightower at times.

by kj197728 on Jan 21, 2009 10:09 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

If you read my post, I was talking about trading (?Boldin?) up for one of the elite RB's...

in the draft and then bolstering our OL, LB and DL (run game and pass rush) with the remaining picks. Later in the rounds if a solid punter presents himself pick him up…

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Jan 22, 2009 9:10 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Matt Forte was a late 2nd rounder and Chris Johnson fell to 24th overall pick.

I know this last year’s draft was stacked at RB but it’s not absurd to think a solid RB will be left at 31 or 32 pick.

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Jan 22, 2009 9:15 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

RB pick

RB can be had in a later round. There are other needs that should be addressed before the RB. Why trade up to get a RB? Why would you trade a phenom 1000 yd plus receiver to get an unproven rookie RB? It doesn’t make any sense to do this. Where are you going to trade Boldin up to get a spot for Wells or Moreno? The Cards don’t really want to put up the money for a top 10-15 pick to get an unproven RB. I don’t see it happening. Maybe McCoy or Greene are there at 31/32 but it would be a reach to take one.

by kj197728 on Jan 22, 2009 7:39 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Am I alone in thinking Cards should look at CB

Either in the draft or FA.
I know it is not an area of most need but thinking of a secondary of DRC, A-Dub, Rolle and another stud corner. Adding Hood and Brown into the mix it would make for a scary good secondary!

by CardsIrish on Jan 22, 2009 9:32 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

I agree but not a draft need.

It can be addressed in FA IMO.

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Jan 22, 2009 9:56 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

who's a CB that will be a FA?

As far as DE, Peppers will be a FA.. Can you imagine Julius Peppers in a Cards uniform?

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 22, 2009 10:26 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

LB in flux

Dansby is a big question mark first off. Okeafor isn’t getting any younger. LaBoy is another big ??? . Beisel is a ST stud and capable back up but has a lot of wear and tear. Hayes is locked up and still producing well but the LB core needs some youth and energy. Highsmith should be in the LB mix but who else?

If the Cards give up on Alan Branch, Watson needs some help in the middle. Otherwise the line has some youth (Campbell & Kenny) and should remain solid if they can resign Smith and keep Berry.

Another highly athletic CB would be nice to replace Eric Green’s roster spot. Eric who? Yeah, he’s still on the team. Keep Hood, Brown, and Adams. If nothing else their names make the CB Commitee sound like a law firm.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Jan 22, 2009 9:49 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

Cards should spend all their FA money on Hayensworth and Peppers..

What a defense we would have if that happened. Too bad it would never happen. It doesn’t hurt to wish does it?

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 22, 2009 10:27 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

Haynesworth would be the biggest pick-up in years...

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Jan 22, 2009 12:20 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

but will he play at the same level?

He had a clause with the team that if he hit certain achievements that he wouldn’t be franchised again. The Titans will keep their end of the bargain, but now that he is free to sign elswhere, will he play as hard? He has definitley earned a big contract from someone.

by hevchv on Jan 23, 2009 8:25 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

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