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Arizona Cardinals Post Draft Coverage: Best Undrafted Free Agents

Well the fire from the NFL draft weekend is still smoldering but today, and possibly the next couple of days, will center around the guys who did not get drafted. The Arizona Cardinals signed thirteen undrafted free agents and four of those guys are on the team right now including Ali Highsmith who was a prominent special teams player before hurting his knee midway through the season. The Cardinals could find some very useful pieces on this scrap heap but they'll have to work quickly because they're bidding against every other team in the league. We'll take a look at some of the notable names as well as update when any signings happen:

Star-divide

Here are some names that might ring a bell and will certainly be on the top of quite a few teams' wish list:

Linebackers: The Cardinals didn't draft an ILB for the second consecutive year but there are some notable names still available and with any luck, these guys might turn out even better than Ali Highsmith did last year. There are couple of outside backers at the bottom who might interest the Cardinals considering that they probably stash them on the practice squad and see how they look in a year once they learn the position.

  • Darry Beckwith (6'0, 234), LSU: Beckwith was thought be a third or fourth round pick at worse but his injury history and lack of great size or athleticism must have hurt him more than scouts thought. 
  • Dannell Ellerbe (6'1 236) Georgia: Teams obviously thought that Ellerbe's breakout season in 2007 was overshadowed by three mediocre seasons. He'll have an uphill battle to make any team but he's got some athleticism and could be a factor on special teams.
  • Antonio Appleby (6'3 245) Virginia: He's nothing special in terms of production or athletic ability but a 3-4 team will pick him up for depth and his potential as a two down thumper.
  • Worrell Williams (5'11, 240) California: Williams is undersized but he's got experience in a 3-4 and the athleticism to be an NFL player.
  • Orion Martin (6'3, 262) Virginia Tech: Another former college DE who is probably best served switching to OLB, he's totaled 14 sacks over the past two seasons but ran a disappointing 4.89 at the combine.

Defensive Line: The Cardinals completely ignored the defensive line in the draft despite some concerns about the depth at defensive end and nose tackle. I'd be surprised if a couple of UDFA's aren't some wide bodied defenders.

  • Chris Baker (6'2 326) Hampton: Off the field problems forced him to leave Penn State and most likely are the biggest reason that's he field phone calls today instead of packing for an NFL team already. He's got the talent (16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks) to play in this league but will need soem guidance.
  • Mitch King (6'1, 280) Iowa: King played defensive end, tackle and even linebacker while at Iowa and could project at either end or linebacker in the NFL. His tweener status probably kept him from being drafted by he's a versatile defender who carried a mid-round grade from some scouts.
  • Everette Pedescleaux (6'5, 305) Northern Iowa: The Cardinals were rumored to have brought Pedescleaux in for a visit before the draft and he'd offer some depth and athleticism at the defensive end spot.

Offensive skill positions: While the Cardinals might be stacked at running back after the selections of Wells and LSH, it wouldn't hurt to add another body to man the practice squad. Any receiver with some return potential might also be intriguing as should any balanced tight end.

  • Jeremiah Johnson (5'9 209) Oregon: He was never really a featured runner but he totalled over 2,000 yards at Oregon and averaged over six yards per carry. He's also got experience returning kicks.
  • Ian Johnson (5'11, 212) Boise State: Johnson ran surprisingly fast at the combine (4.46) but his long list of injury is concerning.
  • Devin Moore (5'9, 191) Wyoming: Moore's size hurts his stock but his athleticism is amazing and he could help a team as a third down back and kick returner.
  • Kory Sheets (5'11, 208) Purdue: Another smallish back with outstanding speed (4.47) who doubles as a back and return man.
  • Marlon Lucky and Arian Foster (5'11, 216 & 6'1, 215): Both Lucky and Foster were starting backs who ran disappointing 40's and failed to establish themselves as NFL material but seven rounds of waiting might just be the motivation that they needed.
  • Quan Cosby (5'9, 196) Texas: He's small and old for an NFL rookie (26) but he is faster than he timed (4.57) and was a successful punt and kick returner at Texas.
  • Jeremy Gilchrist (5'9 176) Hampton: Gilchrist is tiny and was neutralized by double teams after totaling over a 1,000 yards in 2007 but his six punt return touchdowns in the past two years is hard to ignore.
  • Ryan Purvis (6'3, 254) Boston College: A physically limited tight end whose senior production drastically dropped off with Matt Ryan gone, but he's physical, willing blocker who had over 50 reception in 2007. 
  • Jared Bronson (6'4, 254) Central Washington: Bronson's a decent in-line blocker who has also shown the ability to stretch the field (17.9 yards per catch in 2008). 

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There are countless other guys we could mention but that's a small taste. Who else would you like to see the Cardinals take a look at? What positions still need the most help?

0 recs  |  Comment 8 comments |

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Nice players

I had Ellerbe and Appleby on my Cardinals draft board.I would like to see the Cards sign one of these guys,they may become future ILB for us.

by RowdyReno on Apr 27, 2009 10:51 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

complete rumors

but a couple of different sites are saying that the Cardinals have signed:

Michael Ray Garvin a cornerback from Florida State. Before anyone says “whoa another corner?!?” He must be a terrible cornerback b/c he ran sub 4.2 forties (yes multiple 40’s below 4.2) that were rounded up to 4.24 and 4.28 to compensate for hand timing instead of the electronic kind used at the combine. He’s not being looked at as a corner though b/c he was 2nd in the nation last year in kickoff returns (30.9 avg) and nearly 24 yards per punt return. This guy is literally a world class sprinter who missed some spring practices in an attempt to qualify for the Olympics (he made it to the semifinals in the 200). They always say that you can’t teach speed and this guy might become the fastest in the NFL.

Here some other less interesting names (at least in my opinion): although I’m still researching them
WR Justin Brown, Hampton
WR Shane Morales, Oregon State
LB Chase Bullock, Maryland
CB Jameel Dowling, Hawaii

by Bezekira on Apr 27, 2009 11:19 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Looks like all of those rumors held true. Here’s the complete list, from the official website:

Florida State kick returner Michael Ray Garvin
Hampton wide receiver Justin Brown
Oregon State wide receiver Shane Morales
Maryland linebacker Chase Bullock
Hawaii cornerback Jameel Dowling
Cincinnati guard Khalil El-Amin
Memphis tackle Brandon Pierce
Penn State safety Tony Davis
Kansas State linebacker Reggie Walker

by Vaegrin on Apr 27, 2009 5:27 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

like these guys

Watched Morales and Dowling play before,good players…. never heard of the other guys.

by RowdyReno on Apr 27, 2009 12:54 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

AA

would love to see Appleby in a Cards uni come the start of this season

by BigZee on Apr 27, 2009 2:28 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

When are they going to pick a kicker?

I’ve nearly fully forgiven Rackers, but truly, I’d like to see some new blood.

I’m a fan of our Punter, so I say give him one more year and see what comes from it. But what ever happened to the K/P that Bezekira came across?

Someone text Whiz and tell him to pick that guy up if he’s still available.

by CardsFan08 on Apr 27, 2009 7:23 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I thought they'd add a punter

but I wouldn’t have minded some competition at either position.

by Bezekira on Apr 28, 2009 11:48 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

All of these guys

excluding a couple so far were signed to UDFA deals. But the Cardinals were not involved with any on the wish list. I think they missed out on some of these guys for depth on the team. They must not have wanted them.

by kj197728 on Apr 27, 2009 9:33 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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