Cardinals, College Football, and the 2010 Draft
by mbn on Aug 28, 2009 1:54 PM MDT
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PrintWith college football starting I thought it might be useful to look at a few positions and college players that the Cards might be looking at in the 2010 draft. Things could obviously change regarding eligible players for the draft, as well as Cardinal players' status, but projecting the Cardinals' needs now will help us have a list of names, positions, and schools we can focus in on every Saturday. I focused on positions that I think the Cards should look at in the first four rounds of the draft, then I proposed some possible value picks in the mid rounds and what I think could happen in the later rounds.
Needs:
ILB: With Dansby anxious to get paid in free agency, the Cards really need to strengthen their ILB depth. Most of my top ILB are not seniors but they are projected to be in the 2010 draft.
-Rolando McClain (Alabama) 6-4. 248. If McClain comes out this year he is the best ILB available in my
book. He plugs the hole like a beast, has great straight line and lateral quickness and great instincts.
-Brandon Spikes (Florida) 6-3. 244. Spikes is also a first round prospect. He is a hard hitter with a great
motor. He sometimes plays undisciplined but his natural athleticism covers up his mistakes. Great leader.
-Obi Ezeh, (Michigan) 6-2. 247. He is a thumper that may be a good 2nd round pick. If he slides to the 3rd
round he would be a steal. From what I have seen he plays like Hayes. He is one I want to watch this year.
-Micah Johnson, (Kentucky) 6-2. 254. A senior, Johnson has great potential and could have a great pro
career. He might be there in the 3rd round but I think will likely not make it past the end of the 2nd.
QB: 2009 will likely be the last year for BSP and with questions about Leinart's role in the post-Warner era I wouldn't be surprises if the Cardinals bring in competition for Leinart. It is a fairly good draft for QBs, a lot better than last year's crop. There will likely be a few QBs who show up unexpectantly but here are a few front runners out of the many prospects. (Left off Bradford because there is no way a healthy Bradford will not go in the top 5). A lot of QB options this draft. I included a couple of dark horses that may be a steal in mid rounds. I did not include Tebow. Great athlete but I am just not sure how to use him as a QB. Here are a few QB to watch.
Colt McCoy, (Texas) 6-3. 205 McCoy may fall to the end of the 1st round and even into the 2nd, depending
on where Texas ends up, but he I think he has a promising Pro career. He is smart and generally accurate.
Good Football IQ.
Jevan Snead, (Ole Miss) 6-3. 215 Has potential and appears to have a good arm and good QB IQ. Has
looked good against SEC defenses.
Jimmy Clausen, (Notre Dame) 6-3. 217. I think Notre Dame will have a better year which will likely get
Clausen drafted in the first round. He has improved over the years. Plenty of film on Clausen makes
judging his potential easier. Right now I would grade him mid 2nd round but he may impress and
move up.
Pat Devlin, (Delaware) 6-4. 220 Could be a great pick up in the 3rd round if he is still there and if he
comes out early.
Tim Hiller, (Western Michigan) 6-5. 228. If you get a chance to watch this kid let me know what you think.
He is supposed to have a great up side.
Daryll Clark, (Penn State) 6-2. 231. Great athlete. A little short but could become a McNabb type of
player with his natural athleticism.
Max Hall, (BYU) 6-1. 201. His size has caused him to fall down in the draft, but he can read a defense.
He may surprise a few people in the NFL. He might still be around in the 5th round.
DL: We need depth here. Unfortunately this is not a good draft for nose tackles but there are some solid DE prospects. I left out players that I can't imagine will be around after the top 15 like: Dunlap (Florida), McCoy (Oklahoma), or Suh (Nebraska). If any of these fall into the Card's lap they will jump on them. Here is a sampling of some players I will be looking at on Saturday.
Lawrence Marsh, (Florida) 6-5. 305. DE. Playing with Dunlap has helped Marsh but he still looks to have
first round talent.
Terrence Cody, (Alabama) 6-5. 365 NT. Mount Cody is one of the few potential NT in the draft. But he
needs to lose 30 pounds under coach Lott. Will he be able to pursue if he was lighter? There are some
questions about Cody but I could see the Cards taking a chance on him if he is there at the end of the 1st
round.
DeMarcus Granger, (Oklahoma) 6-3 303. DE I like Granger and if he is there in the 2nd round when the
Cards pick he would be a great addition. The down side is he is built more like a DT instead of DE but I
think he is athletic enough to play any position along the DL.
Vince Oghobaase, (Duke) 6-6. 310. DE Oghobasse has jumbo DE written all over him. Great height and
arms, I think in time he could be able to play anywhere along the DL. He could be there near the end of the
2nd round but may go as high as the 1st round.
Boo Robinson, (Wake Forest) 6-2. 326 NT. Robinson is a stump of a man and is built like the ideal NT. I
want to see his motor on the field but I wouldn't be surprised to see him go in the 1-2nd round just because
of his position and the trend towards 3-4.
Jarvis Jenkins, (Clemson) 6-4. 318. NT. If he comes out this year he might be an option. I will have to watch
and see if he fits better as a NT or DE.
Jared Odrick, (Penn State) 6-5. 308 DE. Good solid DL that could develop into a good player. Seems like a
no brainer if he is there at the end of the 3rd round.
Al Woods, (LSU) 6-5. 314. DE. A mid round prospect he could provide some solid depth.
OLB: 2010 has another crop of potentially solid OLB, especially in the late 1st and into the 2nd rounds. If Cody Brown comes back completely healthy next year it may feel like the Cards have drafted an extra early-round OLB. The Cardinals could go from an aging OLB group to a young OLB pretty quick. Most of the potential draftees will have to convert from DE to OLB which will require an extra year before they impact the team. I left out tons of options, but here are a few of my front runners.
Sergio Kindle, (Texas) 6-4. 254 If he can learn to play in space he will be a beast. I doubt he will be there
when the Cards draft.
Everson Griffen, (USC) 6-3. 265. I think he is athletic enough to play with his hand off the ground and is a
beast. Judging from USC's track record, I have no doubt he will come out early.
Greg Romeus, (Pittsburgh) 6-5. 265. Another beast if he comes out early. He might fall to the end of the
1st round. The Cards have a Wanstead connection.
George Selvie, (South Florida) 6-4. 250 Was projected in the 1-2nd round last year if he had come out.
Greg Hardy, (Ole Miss) 6-5. 260. Another small DE that is athletic enough to convert to an OLB. Probably a
2nd or 3rd round option.
Jermaine Cunningham, (Florida) 6-3. 250. Another good Florida option. 2nd rounder probably.
Eric Norwood, (South Carolina) 6-1. 265 Athletic DE who will have to make the switch to OLB 2-3rd round.
Ugo Chinasa, (Oklahoma State) 6-6. 255 Tall and athletic. If he comes out he would probably be a 2-3rd
rounder right now but he may wait another year and hope to be in the 1st round.
Dexter Davis, (Arizona State) 6-2. 252. Davis will likely be a 2-3rd rounder. Talented.
Auston English, (Oklahoma) 6-3. 255. Right now would be graded in 3rd round but I think he has great
potential and will probably increase his draft status if Oklahoma plays like is expected.
Antonio Coleman, (Auburn) 6-2. 250. Mid rounder with potential.
Value Picks:
Every draft the Cardinals select players that I didn't think we needed. Rashad Johnson and Greg Toler are two examples from the last draft. It is sound draft strategy to take value when it is on the board, especially in the mid rounds. Listed below are some positions that I think have the likelihood of having value in the mid rounds.
Corner: Unlike last year, 2010 looks to be a good draft year for corners. I easily counted twelve corners that are big enough and should be fast enough to play in the Cardinals' system. Expect many corners to come off the board in the first round, but there will still be many which will be worth taking in the 3-4th rounds. As coach Davis has noted, you can never have enough good corners.
Receiver: Who knows how the whole Boldin-contract saga will play out but there are some solid receivers in the draft that should be there in the mid rounds.
Safety: Several good free safeties this year. One or two solid strong safeties. Could find value as late as the 4th round in this category.
Later Draft Considerations:
The Cardinals have a track record of looking for specific types of players in the later rounds, and being successful at it.
OL: With many OLB, Corners, QB etc... coming off the board early there may be some solid OL that last into the later rounds. You may think with Gandy's contract expiring that this would be a good year to draft a LT but I just don't think the Cards will do it. In today's NFL, the LT and the RT are having to become similar and the Cards have been grooming several younger players for this position. Plus quality veteran tackles have become more prevalent in FA in recent years. I think they will look to the later rounds for more depth.
Center: This draft class stinks. Last year's was much better. I think I would keep with Claxton or Fowler for depth before I wasted a pick.
TE: Cardinals do not generally draft a TE in the earlier rounds unless one falls into their lap. It would be good to pick up a TE in the later rounds that can be developed.
FB: The Cardinals seem to be slowly moving away from the FB but the later rounds are sometimes good places to pick one up that can play on the practice squad and develop.
Ok, who did I miss? Which player are you anxious to watch? Which position did I not consider?
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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I don't know if we NEED another QB
But we could get someone good in the Draft, and let them sit behind Leinart so Leinart can teach them like Warner taught him.
I will add more to this when I'm not trying to comment from my phone but
i absolutely love Selvie. He is a heck of a pass rusher and the perfect size for OLB.
I would also add tights to the list and there is a kid from Pitt who is primarily a blocking tight end but is still considered a mid-round pick (that’s how good of a blocker he is). He seems like the perfect Whiz TE.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Aug 28, 2009 9:10 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Ok back in action
First on needs, I’d have to say that linebackers (both inside and out) will be the biggest need heading into next season. I list both of those spots ahead of OT because I think Brandon Keith will at least get a shot at LT and Elliot Vallejo could be brought back as well. I’m sure we’ll draft some offensive lineman again this year, I’m just not sure that they’ll be the biggest need. I’d also keep NT on the radar b/c Watson and Branch both look like they’re not the future. So for now I’ll focus on ILB, OLB and NT.
Inside Backer: I really like Spikes and McClain, as you mentioned, and both would probably step in and start immediately for Dansby. The problem though is that there’s a pretty significant drop off behind those two, at least in terms of good sized backers. In order to find another senior backer over 240 pounds, you’ve got to fall all the way to Micah Johnson (Kentucky) and/or Mike McLaughlin (Boston College), both of whom currently hold third or fourth round grades. In the underclassmen ranks Martez Wilson (Illinois) and Brian Smith (Notre Dame) are both right there with Ezeh in that second, third or fourth range depending on whether or not they come out. Considering the pretty obvious need at ILB next April it’ll be worth it to keep an eye on some draft worthy inside backers all season long.
Outside Backer: I know that there are some DE/OLB prospects ahead of this kid but I absolutely love George Selvie. He’d have been a first rounder last year if not for an ankle sprain that slowed his progress but he’ll certainly be a first rounder this year. Behind him there are a ton of guys like Hughes (hat tip Pyro), Brandon Lang (Troy), Eric Norwood (S Carolina), Ricky Sapp (Clemson), Brandon Graham (Michigan) and many others. There is never a shortage of athletic pass rushers from the college ranks.
Nose Tackle: Terrance Cody will get all the headlines but forget about him. Unless something goes terribly wrong this year, he’ll be long gone by the time we pick. Of the other guys capable of playing a true nose, Cam Thomas (N. Carolina) is the only senior. Keep an eye on Phil Taylor (6’4, 355) from Baylor though, he transferred from Penn State and had to sit out last year but is poised for a big, big season. He is joined in the junior class by Kenrick Ellis (Hampton).
Tight end may or may not end of being a big need but there are some good prospects in this class (good as in Whiz’s definition of good). The guy I really like is Nate Byham from Pitt (6-4, 255) and he only caught 19 balls last year but he’s a heck of a blocker. Other guys fitting into the “Whiz-role” of tight ends include Michael Hoomanawanui (Illinois) who’s 6-5, 270 but has deceptive speed and dependable hands, and Garrett Graham (Wisconsin), who’s a H-back type of player with decent receiving and in-line blocking skills.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Aug 31, 2009 12:10 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hey guys if anyone is really bored check out these
There’s a guy on YouTube who’s posting highlights of alot of these guys that we’re talking about:
Jerry Hughes (DE-TCU): Second play shows you all you need to see
Rolando McClain (ILB-Alabama): Nothing spectacular but always around the ball.
Brandon Spikes (ILB-Florida): Really shows his versatility, lines up everywhere.
George Selvie (DE/OLB-S Florida): Shows how many double teams he faced last year but still made plays.
Greg Hardy (DE/OLB-Ole Miss): Short video
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
TACKLE!
Gandy’s gone after this year, and Levi hasn’t lived up to his top 5 draft status. With Warner (and his fast release) likely also gone after this year, we NEED a new protector to ensure Leinart can take full use of all of our weapons. Who do we have behind them? Herman Johnson? He is NOT mobile enough for the weakside. Brandon Keith? I don’t think so. Personally, I’m pulling for Ciron Black, though I’m hoping he doesn’t play himself into the top 15 this year for the Cards’ sake. =P
ILB (and OLB) will likely be needs for us, but solid talent is always there for this position in the middle rounds of the draft (due to the transition period not being that extensive ILB/OLB’s being able to hide deficiencies early on by being situational pass rushers), and though I would love to see McClain or Spikes replace Dansby, definitely not at the cost of a good tackle.
D-line depth will also be good for us but, again, I would not take any d-line player in the first. I’d LOVE to see Oghobaase somehow fall to us in the 2nd, especially if we don’t work out a new deal with Dockett/Calais’s motor runs out, but I can’t see that happening. He’s simply too good.
Colt McCoy, (Texas) 6-3. 205 McCoy may fall to the end of the 1st round and even into the 2nd, depending on where Texas ends up, but he I think he has a promising Pro career.
lolol, he’ll suck. Love Snead, though. Could even see him go before Bradford if he continues to improve, and if he wins some tough games in the SEC.
DRC
just wanted to say what an awesome pick he was this guy is gonna be a pro bowler for the next 5-8 yrs
"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."
After
this year there will be a few needs to fill. I think the transition to the 3-4 may not work out this year like they want it to. My biggest concern is lack of depth or youth at DE/OLB and it may give them trouble with little to offer at these spots. I know they have DD and CC but there isn’t much after that for DE. They still haven’t got talent at OLB unless Davis stands out and Brown is already done for the year. Then they will need someone at CB to train behind McFadden. Then a FS to take over if they break off from Rolle. I am still not pleased with Rolle’s performance from year to year and think he will be done. Then a OG for more line depth and another WR for special teams.
some of those pieces might already be in place
- They might already have the young CB to grow behind McFadden…..Toler
- They hopefully already have the young FS behind Rolle………………….R Johnson
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
+1
Toler looks to be the future behind B.Mac.
I think our biggest need depends on Karlos Dansby coming back or not(which is not looking likely). If that is the case I would think ILB would be our biggest need since we would have no one to lineup next to Gerald Hayes. Than I would say a Hybrid DE/OLB followed by more O line depth.
Lucky for us next year is looking to be another deep year for the LBs which is looking like it’s going to be our biggest need.
OLB depth
I see a lot of OLB depth, deeper than 2009 and a first round pick here would pay dividends.. But the ILB depth in this draft isn’t that strong. There are a handful that catch your eye but after that they either get light or lack the talent. There is good depth talent in the draft, but at this point I haven’t seen a lot of starting talent.
I wouldn’t pay an ILB what Dansby apparently wants, but I’m not sure I would put my eggs into the draft-basket at ILB either. I tend to feel uncomfortable drafting an ILB with the 1st round. I think the Cards will look aggressively at the FA for an ILB and use a mid round pick for potential and depth- a Jasper Brinkley type who went to Minnesota.
MBN
by mbn on Sep 2, 2009 3:39 PM MDT up reply actions
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