Updated Mock Draft: Cards Pick 31st

by Andrew602 on Feb 8, 2009 6:06 PM MST in 2009 Draft Comment 16 comments

Fresh off of Super Bowl XLIII, several mock draft sites have now updated the Cardinals draft status at picking 31st overall. There is still a consensus that the Cardinals need to improve there running game in the draft. It's obvious when they were ranked dead last in the NFL at rushing yards per game. (Trust me when I say, I looked through quite a bit of mock draft sites and the majority of them have the Cardinals taking LeSean McCoy in the first round). Some things have changed though. The Cardinals were able to establish a consistent running game throughout the post season with a fresh Edgerrin James. Do the Cardinals still draft a young running back to compliment Tim Hightower? Should they keep Edge another year? Do they bring in a young lineman to fill in at center or tackle? The draft is still months away but here are some updated mock drafts, and who the Cardinals may take in the first round:

LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh - "The Cardinals were somehow able to run the ball during their unexpected playoff surge, but that doesn't change the fact that they need an upgrade in the backfield. Edgerrin James' days in Arizona are numbered, while Tim Hightower does too much dancing around."
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest - "This little ball hawk is an excellent cover corner and solid tackler for his size (5' 9" 195 lbs). Pac Man Jones without the baggage."
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georia - "Knowshon Moreno is only a redshirt 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."
Brian Cushing, OLB, USC - "Arizona finished the season as the 16th overall defense so adding Brian Cushing will help improve the defense even more. The USC linebacker has great size for an OLB and has very good instincts. He also brings a toughness to stopping the run which will help Darnell Dockett and Bertrand Berry who are on the front line."
Beenie Wells, RB, Ohio - "The Edge has looked pretty good in the post season but he isn’t getting any younger. I think Beanie Wells is pretty evenly balanced and the 2nd best running back in this 2009 NFL Mock Draft. He will help them run the game and pair up well with Hightower."

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I think a good full summer of watching game film will help Timmy. If you didn’y notice he changed his style back and forth throughout the season. He went from bruiser to dancer and abck again. Vision can’t be taught but it can be learned. Edge has it and Timmy wants it. Originally, Timmy would just put his head down and pound for a few yards. Everyone thought he was like a Marion Barber III. Then I assume the coaches got to him and said if you just keep your head up, you could have hit this hole or that hole and gotten more yards. The he stopped pounding and started waiting for the blocking to develop and started getting stopped in the backfield (that’s when all the dancing occurred). Although Edge is slow, he has that rare vision and knows when to pound and when to one-cut and go. Vision can’t be taught from someone else, but through a lot of work in the film room and on the practice field (given a lot of different looks) Timmy can eventually figure this out on his own. Until then I would love Knowshon Moreno if he were available. LeSean McCoy has that elite speed we need, but Moreno displays that same vision that made Edge so good. He is also younger and faster. If they were both available I would take Moreno, but I think he would be gone and would definitely take McCoy if he were still there. Beanie Wells is probably the second best HB in the draft, but his skill set wouldn’t meet our need for the speed back, unless we re-signed JJ. And please don’t let me get started on the Maurice Clarret project. Obviously I’m not a huge OSU fan to begin since they cheated my Hurricanes out of that national championship.
I think there will be a few good CBs in FA and that would move Hood to the nickle and Greene to anywhere else. Oakland, please don’t franchise Asumugha?
I wouldn’t be mad with Brian Cushion either. He is a big and agressive player and I think the fans would fall in love with his style of play.

by hevchv on Feb 9, 2009 5:05 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Aren't you just excited for the draft/FA?

I know I am. Asumugha would be a great addition but I don’t think he wants to leave surprisingly.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 9, 2009 6:12 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

really...

I heard he’s wanted to leave the past 3 years, but after his contract expired, they started franchising him. Probably this year too. He said he is tired of the losing. Where did you get your info from.

by hevchv on Feb 9, 2009 8:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly..

Just seeing him in interviews. I know players have a certain attitude they are supposed to display in front of the media but he sounded pretty up-beat about the organization and what there future looked like. Guess he’s a good actor.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 9, 2009 8:49 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Edge was genuine with his comments. But he costs too much and lost a few steps. Laboy was let go from Ten for a reason. Maybe cause he is so fragile. And Gandy needs a pay increase. That’s the only way I can explain that hair of his. Although he’s worth much less than we’re paying him, maybe with an increase he would get a haircut.

by hevchv on Feb 9, 2009 9:01 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Eben Britton?

"Of course, it’s downright frightening to imagine how two Adam Dunns would turn the double play." - Joe Posnanski

by DbacksSkins on Feb 9, 2009 1:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

homer!!

by hevchv on Feb 9, 2009 1:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

but with some justification. It’s not like I proposed the Cards draft Willie Tuitama.

"Of course, it’s downright frightening to imagine how two Adam Dunns would turn the double play." - Joe Posnanski

by DbacksSkins on Feb 9, 2009 1:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Good RBs

are a dime a dozen, and can be found fairly easily after the 1st round. Unless it’s truly a rare talent, (Adrian Peterson, Ricky Williams, Reggie Bush come to mind as amazing RBs in college) RBs generally shouldn’t be taken in the 1st. For every AP, there’s also a Ron Dayne.

"Of course, it’s downright frightening to imagine how two Adam Dunns would turn the double play." - Joe Posnanski

by DbacksSkins on Feb 9, 2009 1:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Bush has been a bust IMO.

More of a receiver than a RB.

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 Feb 9, 2009 1:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

He’ll never be a Tomlinson or Peterson.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 9, 2009 2:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I would probably

agree, but in college, Reggie Bush really WAS head and shoulders above the competition; that’s not in question. What I’m saying is, those are the kinds of RBs who should be taken in the 1st round. Otherwise, RBs are replaceable — and, as Bush’s example shows, even those rarely talented backs aren’t a sure thing in the pros, and could still end up as a wasted 1st round pick.

By the way, the AZSnakepit does not take responsibility for, nor condone, any alcohol-related accidents or injuries incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of reading this website.

by DbacksSkins on Feb 10, 2009 12:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree but..

I knew AP was going to be a stud. Sometimes it’s just obvious.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 10, 2009 1:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

So, I shouldn't send you a Levi Brown jersey Andrew? ;-)

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

by Hawkwind on Feb 10, 2009 5:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I've already got two myself. Home and away.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 10, 2009 8:43 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Larry English?

If Knowshon falls to 31 you gotta take a long look but I like the pass rush Larry displayed. Had to listen to 2 weeks of Dfense wins championships from Pitt fans. That being said I think DE will be a position of greater need. UNLESS Warner walks away then RB may be needed to provide balance for Matt.

by AkVermynking on Feb 17, 2009 2:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs