My Seven Round Cardinals-ONLY Mock Draft

by Bezekira on Apr 14, 2009 12:19 PM MDT Comment 13 comments

I'm no Mel Kiper or Mike Mayock but I've got worthless draft opinions just like they do so I'll waste everyone's time with my Cardinals-ONLY seven round mock draft. Just to provide some basis of how I made these picks, I used the big board from CBS Sports and the seven round mock from Draft Tek to determine which players would be available at each pick.

1 (31) - Chris Beanie Wells (RB), Ohio State: Ok so this is no surprise, we need a RB and I think Wells will be the best back on the board. Moreno seems to be consensus #1 and many pundits are starting to say that Donald Brown has leap frogged Wells. I'm sort of scared of a "Big 10" back but I think Whiz and Grimm would throw heck of party if they get a punishing down hill runner like Wells.

2 (63) - Lawrence Sidbury Jr. (OLB/DE), Richmond: That's right the Cardinals pick a Richmond Spider for the second year in a row. Sidbury turned some heads at the combine when he turned out a 4.64 forty yard dash (and his ten yard split was even more impressive at 1.53) and even though he'd be a big OLB (6'2, 266) he's got the athleticism to make the switch. He's really only had one really good season at Richmond (11.5 sacks in 2008) and will take some time to transition to OLB buthis talent can't be ignored.

via www.ams.org

3 (95) - TJ Lang (OT/OG), Eastern Michigan: Lang was a three year starter (two at LT and one at RT) but he projects to the inside at the pro level. He's got good size (6'4 312) and a nasty demeanor (former defensive lineman). He's a mauler who worked at all five line spots at the Texas vs. the Nation game and impressed scouts with his attitude and workouts. He's capable of spot starting anywhere on the line but his eventual home will probably be at guard. Regardless he's the kind of blue collar, mauler that Russ Grimm dreams about at night.

via assets.sbnation.com

4 (131) - Anthony Hill (TE), North Carolina: Hill's a big TE (6'5 264) who's a physical blocker in both the pass and run game but he's not one dimensional either. He even lined up in the slot (264 pounds in the slot?) at times and had 45 receptions in 2006 and four TDs in 2008. He tore his ACL before the 2007 season so that hurt his stock but he's legit. One scouting report even suggested that he'd be best suited to bulk up and move to offensive tackle (talk about a guy who can block). Overall not a flashy reciever but could be the total package like Pettigrew but three rounds later.

via cdn1.libsyn.com (wow he even looks cool)

5 (167) - Brandon Underwood (CB/S), Cincinnati: Underwood might be reach here but his talent is too intriguing to pass up. He started his career at Ohio State but lost his scholorship after some missed some meetings and academic issues. His one year at Cincy was impressive though (4 picks) and even though he played mostly cornerback he projects to the safety position at the pro level. He's good size (6'1 198) got terrific ball skills and covers a ton of ground. Give him a year and we'd forget all about Francisco's inability to cover. Underwood may never become a starter but as a #3 safety and special teams guy, he's got the talent to shine.

via cache.daylife.com

6 (204) - Henry Melton (DE/OLB), Texas: As the 'other' Texas defensive end, Melton's been overshadowed by Orakpo but he's got some skills. He's only been on the defensive side of the ball for two seasons after starting his career as a running back (625 yards and 16 TDs between '05 & '06) and didn't become a starter until 2008. He's extremely athletic and has a great burst off the edge but as you might expect he's extremely raw. He'd be a project type of pick but the upside is there.

via www.dailytexanonline.com

7 (240) - Thomas Morstead (P), SMU: Ok so it's not very sexy to draft a punter Morstead in the best punter in this years draft and he could also kick field goals and kickoffs in a pinch. His average is solid and he can place them inside the 20 with ease and he's never had one blocked.

via media.scout.com

7 (254) - Larry Beavers (WR), Wesley: So you might have gotten bored with the selection of a punter so here's your wake up call. Not only does Beavers have a great name he's also a prolific return specialist with 13 career return TDs. Of course we are talking about D-3 competition but he averaged 39.5 yards per kick return and 29 yards per punt return (that's almost unbelievable). He's tiny (5'10 167) but he ran a blistering 4.37 at his pro day. He instantly upgrades the return game and lets Breaston focus on being a receiver.

via athletics.wesley.edu

Ok so that's a seven round that I guarantee won't be perfect. I covered needs at RB, OLB, depth at safety, tight end and interior OL while also taking a flier on a punter and return specialist. Thoughts?

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.

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Comments

I like it

Great job. I wouldn’t be dissapointed with this draft. You addressed our needs in order of priority. #1 RB, #2 DE/OLB, #3 O-Line Depth, etc.

by CardsDefense on Apr 14, 2009 1:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it

I could see them taking a DT though in the 4th or 5th. And pushing a WR or returner to undrafted. Definitely like the idea of Melton. An RB playing DE?? Talk about a burst off the ball and good footwork! Anybody thought about Lance Long as a returner?

Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.

by sc464 on Apr 14, 2009 4:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

+1 Good draft

I wouldn’t be disappointed.

I’d like to see Lance get a shot at ST or something this year.

by CardsFan08 on Apr 14, 2009 9:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea I wanted to squeeze a DT/NT in there somewhere

but it just didn’t work out.

Long did return kicks and punts at Mississippi State and he did return five punts during the preseason last year but the results weren’t all that great (3.2 avg). I imagine he’ll get some work in that department during camp again though.

by Bezekira on Apr 15, 2009 6:22 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is

pretty good. I am still not sold on taking the RB in round 1. I like stealing Connor Barwin in round 1 and then taking the RB in round 2-3. But I like how you are thinking at the end with the P and getting someone for returns.

by kj197728 on Apr 15, 2009 9:08 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought long and hard about reaching for Barwin and even had him penciled in there for a bit but when I read up on Melton I thought there were a ton of similarities between the two. Granted Melton didn’t bust out with double digit sacks but he’s also competing with Orakpo for sacks while Barwin’s the clear #1 pass rusher for Cincy. Both guys are extremely raw but I like the potential of a sixth round pick over the reaching for a ton of potential in the first.

by Bezekira on Apr 15, 2009 10:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

One guy to look at in the later rounds

Ian Johnson. This guy could be a good back in the NFL. He was the RB on the undefeated Boise St. team in 2006 that won that awesome Fiesta Bowl. In 07 he hurt his kidneys and hasn’t really rebounded since then because off having to share time carrying it afterward but he might be worth looking at if he is still available in the 6th or 7th, might be a reach for him in the 6th though.

Not sure you have to be an insider for that 1st link so here is another if you wanted to look. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Johnson_(American_football)

by Pyromnc on Apr 15, 2009 11:49 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. I think I. Johnson would be a good pick in the later rounds if we wanted to take a flyer on a potential returner who also could provide depth at RB. I have have him getting picked by the Cards in the 6th round in my mock.

MBN

by mbn on Apr 15, 2009 1:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs