Arizona Cardinals Draft Priorities
by mbn on Mar 25, 2009 4:52 PM MDT
Email
PrintBumped from the Fanpost section, a very well thoughout breakdown of the Arizona Cardinals team needs heading into April's draft from one of ROTB's newest members.
To me the question of the draft is a combination of what we need as well where the depth of the draft is at those positions. Here is where I see the 5 main draft needs being this year. I have put them in the order I think they should fall, however, the order would change if a high graded draft pick should fall to our pick.
1-OLB needs to be added. Okeafar is a FA next year and Berry may not be back, plus we were poor in sacks with who we had. There are some very talented OLB in the 1st round. Most will be converting from a DE so a year as a back up will benefit them. (keep in mind we already have 4 OLB under contract so it is likely that the final 53 will need to make room for 5 OLB)
2-RB: We cannot miss on a RB and therefore I understand the argument to take a RB in the 1st round. However, I think we can get a quality RB and an OLB pass rusher. I have even considered going Center or DL with this pick and picking RB in the third. It will depend on who is still on the board at 63. Assuming that Mack or Moala, Brace, or the like haven't fallen to us then go RB. Green, A. Brown (who I think is a sleeper) or R. Jennings, would all be a great compliment to Hightower and Wright. My thought is that one of these 3 may be available in the 3rd round as well therefore it may be tempting to take a chance and wait to pick one in the third.
3-DL. A quality NT would allow Robinson to move to DE with Campbell. (still frustrated with Branch. If he had materialized this wouldn't be an issue) Drafting a DE would provide depth and competition at this position. A 3-4 DE is not so much about sacks as he is about drawing double teams and filling the run gaps. If there are not any good choices for DL there will still be some post-draft FA likely available. (I have my eye on Vonnie Halliday who was released by Miami and would be a great depth guy at DE)
4-Center: LT is not the weakness on the OL. Gandy did well although he had a poor SB. The weak link is Sendlein, especially when playing against a 3-4. One of these times he is going to break Warner's ankle when he steps back. There are at least 5 centers in the draft who would be an upgrade, but what round do you spend a draft pick on a center? That is why I go center in the 4th but if Mack is available in the 2nd I would take him. Of the top 5 center (Mack, Unger, Wood, Luigs, Caldwell, Shipley) I think there is a decent chance that Luigs, Caldwell, or Shipley will be available at the end of the 4th. Worst case is Shipley, who played well for Penn State. He is a solid center but he was cursed with shorter arms, which is death for a tackle but not as big of a deal for a center. (Keep in mind with Vallejo, E. Brown, and Keith under contract you would have to make a tough decision; Do you will cut one of these three or make room for 9 OL in the final 53 with the additional center.)
5-ILB: Beisel found greener pastures so a replacement needs to be found. Right now we have Togafau and Highsmith as our back up ILB. Both play well on special teams but Togafau is 240 and Highsmith is 225. Highsmith cannot play linebacker in the NFL unless he puts on another 15+ pounds. We have a hard hitting athlete already who weights 225 and he is an all-pro Strong Safety. Look for the cards to pad the LB spot both with drafts and post-draft FA in order to find some depth at this position.
The rest of the draft is a wash and an uphill challenge to make the team. We no longer need a TE. (I am high on Becht as a blocking TE which has been the weakness. At 280 he ought to be able to move a LB out of the way on the edge.) They may look at the handful of FB in the draft in the later rounds but if they can't find one they like, when they like, then bring back T. Smith.(T Smith is a average FB but has not been an asset on special teams) OL and DL projects may also be picked here to spend some time on the practice squad to develop.
That's my take. Where do you think I am flawed in my thinking? What am I forgetting?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.
24 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I agree on most
I think some positions like nose tackle, tight end, full back and maybe even defensive end might be considered ‘luxury picks.’ By that I mean that if a player falls to them that see as a great value then they’ll take him but they’re not actively trying to pick one of those guys. Pettigrew is a great example b/c I think that if he falls to 31 that we’ll snag him but it’s no sweat off our back if he goes at 30 either.
I think ILB will be a very interesting position b/c an early pick on an ILB could spell doom for Dansby if he doesn’t have a contract by that point.
I don't think whiz....
Will draft a ILB early on but agreed with everything else. If Pettigrew fell to us we would have to take him as that would be a steal with him falling all the way to us but my bet is either the Bills or Eagles will snatch him up. Wouldn’t mind going after A Tyson Jackson out of LSU if he falls to us either which I am seeing in some mock drafts having him fall to us or past us. Another one that would be good to snatch up is Clay Matthews if he fell but my guess is that the Pats or Falcons will take him also.
RB
The more I hear and see what Donald Brown can do the more I start to like him at this pick. The guy is a decent blocker out of the backfield and should get better at it. he has good hands to be a good receiver also out of the backfield. He also has the bulk and endurance to handle a heavy workload if needed to. I like this kid and if he is available and I were the Cards I would have to take a long look at maybe taking him.
he's flying up the charts though
Apparently he blew people away at his pro day and most of the ‘experts’ on NFL Network say he’s seriously challenging for the top overall RB spot. I doubt he there at 31 but it increases the likelihood that either Moreno or Wells fall to us.
Yea probably will be gone
I have been seeing a lot of mocks that have him going to philly with one of those picks. I think that Philly will be the only team that will take a back in front of us, and maybe New Orleans too but I think Philly will be the only one that does. If Philly is the only one that takes a back in front of us it will be interesting to see which one it is, my bet is Wells or Brown, and it will be interesting to see if we take a back and if we do which one would it be?
I hope and pray that Moreno is there
I love that kid and think he becomes at instant star in this offense where his pass catching ability is just as important as his ability to grind out yards on the ground.
i cant see
Knowshon gettin past the Eagles, and if he is not there @ #21, Brown prob wont last past them at #28
Cards and Eagles
Are really the only teams that are really looking at a 1st round pick for a RB. Most other teams already have and established young running back with a good backup to have a good one to punch. The Eagles lost theirs when Buckhaulter left and Edge wants out of AZ. My bet is that the Eagles will have their choice to pick from the top 4 backs at 21 and 28 and who ever they take, if they take as they have lots of other needs, we will have our choice from the top 3.
Your wrong on the LT breakdown...
Not only did he have a crappy Superbowl, but every time he faced an average to above average End he got smoked. He’s got horrible feet and that is unacceptable for him playing on Warner’s blindside. He constantly used to give up the inside too which is the number one rule for a tackle not to break. Sendlein just needs to develop his strength and he’d be a Pro-bowl caliber center. He has perfect pursuit angles to linebackers and gets to the second level better than any of our lineman. The problem he has is sometimes he’s on skates and gets driven off the ball; that cannot continue. Like I said though, that will improve with increased strength. Remember, he’s only going to be a 3rd year guy this year and is still very young and has a ton of room to develop.
If Highsmith even gained 10 lbs he would be starter quality. He flies around the field, has great vision and is not afraid of contact. He was a force on special teams before his injury.
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!!!
Go back and look at film, it doesn't lie!
He stunk it up against the Panthers, Vikings, Patriots, Washington etc…
I don’t really know why everyone was hating on Sendlein either, dude has been consistant and solid. He and Wells are our best lineman hands down.
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!!!
Gandy is an average LT. He is a FA next year and I do not think he will be back, (wonder what their thoughts are for the future of Keith who has good feet but is very raw). It is noteworthy that the Cards did not pursue a LT in FA knowing that any a starting LT would likely not be available in the 1st round.
MBN
Yeah, I wouldn't be surpised if Keith shows up big in pre-season.
He was a great late round pick up last year and will be a force if he can put it all together. Vallejo looked awesome too last year in pre-season and I would venture to say there will be some changes across our front five this year.
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!!!
Agreed about the changes up front.
And don’t forget, Gandy was signed at left tackle when Leinart was expected to be the starter. Meaning he wasn’t supposed to protect the blind side because Leinart is a lefty. Brown was drafted to protect his blind side and it looks as if, Gandy would be a better RT and Brown a better guard. Brown got blown up alot protecting Kurt because he is too slow.
Good call, I totally over looked that. +1
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!!!
Not just that he is too slow but because him arm length is not long enough for the normal tackle. I think it was yahoo sports that did a study on tackles in the NFL that are drafted and the one that had the longer arms were better tackles but the ones that had shorter arms were typically better at the guard position. Brown has gotten better over time so we will see if he is better this year at RT but if there isn’t significant improvement it might be wise to move him to a guard.
Makes sense...
I wonder how penis correlation stacks up in the NFL???
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!!!
O-Line need
I’ve been reading all of these interviews with Whiz and he doesn’t seem concerned with the OL. But Gandy looked really bad in the SB and Lutui almost lost his position in camp. At the same time, we have Russ Grimm and most of our line is still very young. I think our first priority should be a running back to complement Hightower. We can free up 5 mil by cutting Edge but the team doesn’t want to do that without more RBs on the roster. The top rated RBs will be gone before our second round pick. But I do agree that O-line depth and OLB should be our next next 2 priorities.
I have two concerns with a 1st round RB: 1-The “top 4 RB” this year would not be graded where they are in most other drafts. Moreno is probably late 1st and maybe D. Brown, but Wells, and McCoy would have been graded in 2nd round in most drafts. (Wells is a boon or bust type of back and just isn’t worth the risk in my opinion.)The drop off to the second tier of backs is not that much and will not make that big of a difference for the Cards since the running game is not the core of the offense. 2-There are some good OLB that are legitimately graded in the first round that should be there at 31. That said, there are some solid OLB that could be grabbed later if the scouting sees something, i.e. Sidbury, Hunt, or C. Brown. If Moreno or D. Brown are there at 31 I think I would be temped to take them, but I don’t see them being there.
MBN
I totally agree with you on Wells. Did you see his foot injury earlier this year? Goal line situation and he gets stepped on by an O-Lineman. He drops like a rock and throws the ball on the ground on his way down. Turnover Ohio State. I don’t trust him. I got to see LeSean Mccoy play live a couple of times over the past couple of years and he really is a beast. Plus he can catch out of the backfield so he can replace Arrington. I think if we are looking for a first year impact RB (which we will need if we cut Edge) than we have to draft one of the top 3 (not Wells). We proved in the Playoffs that we need the run to be a threat to win in big games.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29663925/?pg=1#spt_090312_NFLDraft_RB
If you go to that website they break down all of the top RBs. I think there is a significant drop off in talent after the top 3. Only because the next guy played Div. 1AA and everyone else is raw. I would like an OLB as much as the next guy but we have guys on the rest. Granted, they all seem to be on 1 year contracts and don’t pose an real pass rushing threat but I think RB is a more pressing need. Edge has to go. He spends all of his time bashing the team to reporters. I think he, unlike Boldin, would be a distraction if we force him to stay.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
Who seeks peace must prepare for war.
I totally agree with you on Wells. Did you see his foot injury earlier this year? Goal line situation and he gets stepped on by an O-Lineman. He drops like a rock and throws the ball on the ground on his way down. Turnover Ohio State. I don’t trust him. I got to see LeSean Mccoy play live a couple of times over the past couple of years and he really is a beast. Plus he can catch out of the backfield so he can replace Arrington. I think if we are looking for a first year impact RB (which we will need if we cut Edge) than we have to draft one of the top 3 (not Wells). We proved in the Playoffs that we need the run to be a threat to win in big games.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29663925/?pg=1#spt_090312_NFLDraft_RB
If you go to that website they break down all of the top RBs. I think there is a significant drop off in talent after the top 3. Only because the next guy played Div. 1AA and everyone else is raw. I would like an OLB as much as the next guy but we have guys on the rest. Granted, they all seem to be on 1 year contracts and don’t pose an real pass rushing threat but I think RB is a more pressing need. Edge has to go. He spends all of his time bashing the team to reporters. I think he, unlike Boldin, would be a distraction if we force him to stay.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
Who seeks peace must prepare for war.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Jonathan Vilma sues Roger Goodell for defamatory statements made during bounty investigation
- New York Giants receive Super Bowl XLVI rings
- Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring can be yours, unfortunately
- The Shutdown Corner Interview: New York Giants DL Justin Tuck
- AFL quarterback misses game to attend wedding
