Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Round Up
by Andrew602 on Feb 22, 2010 3:36 PM MST
in 2010 Draft
23 comments
It's about that time for another mock draft round up. We'll likely see more of these as the combine passes and the draft in April approaches. No surprises here. The Cardinals are projected to take an outside linebacker. Quite a bit this week folks.
WalterFootball.com: 1st Round - Brandon Graham OLB - Michigan
Clearly, rush linebacker is a dire need for Arizona this offseason - and this was evident before the Cardinals couldn't put any pressure on Drew Brees in their playoff loss. This may seem a bit low for Brandon Graham, who had an incredible Senior Bowl. Two things to consider here: First, at 6-1, Graham could struggle as a 4-3 end in the NFL, so he's a much better fit in the 3-4. And second, teams are much more hesitant to take rush linebackers now because the conversion is so unpredictable.
2010 NFL Mock Draft - Draft King - 1st Round - Ricky Sapp OLB - Clemson
At 6'4" 250, Sapp could play either a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB. Sapp would fill a need for Arizona, which lost Bertrand Berry to retirement following the 2009 season. The Cardinals could also use a tight end, but a player like Sapp would likely trump any tight end prospect not named Gresham this year.
Draft Countdown - 1st Round - Bruce Campbell OT- Maryland
With the top tier of offensive tackles already off the board the Cardinals may opt to take a chance on Maryland’s Bruce Campbell. Perhaps a bit overhyped, Campbell only started 17 games in college and isn’t the Top 10 overall pick some have made him out to be but it wouldn’t be a shock if he snuck into the latter part of round one.
Draft Countdown - 2nd Round - Jerry Hughes OLB - Texas Christian
Bertrand Berry has retired, Chike Okeafor is a free agent and Clark Haggans is 33.
2010 NFL Mock Draft - 1st Round - Bruce Campbell OT - Maryland
The Cardinals defensive line has improved over the years with the addition of Calais Campbell and some other notables. So instead of going defensive line I have them taking an athletic Left Tackle. Campbell is a very good tackle could be good at the next level and help both with the pass and run game in this 2010 NFL Draft.
2010 NFL Mock Draft - 1st Round - Dan Williams NT - Tennessee
2010 NFL Mock Draft - 2nd Round - Selvish Capers OT - West Virginia
FanHouse's 2010 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 -- 1st Round - Ricky Sapp OLB - Clemson
Maybe they bring in Joey Porter or Julius Peppers, but until then, the Cardinals really need to generate an outside pass rush. Sapp represents a player with enough athleticism to come off the edge from outside linebacker in a 3-4 or get down in a three-point stance as a DE if need be. He's a poor-man's Brian Orakpo or DeMarcus Ware and will plug one of the many holes the Cardinals are facing.
2010 NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round - Jerry Hughes OLB - TCU
Adding some youth to their pass rush is something every team needs, especially to a team who?s top three pass rushers from the LB position are all 32 or older.
Draft Tek - 1st Round - Ricky Sapp OLB - Clemson
Sapp's decision not to participate in the Senior Bowl raised some eyebrows; however, he is on a twice daily, 6 days per week workout regimen that includes rehab for his injured knee in preparation for the Combine. A highly adaptable pass-rusher that can line up all over the field in the Cards' hybrid defensive alignment - the Clemson standout fits the bill at both DE and OLB.
Draft Tek - 2nd Round - Morgan Burnett SS - Georgia Tech
Yes, Karlos Dansby has let the world know the 4 NFL teams that he would like to play for, and ILB is still a need; however, Burnett is one of those adaptable safeties with rare coverage skills that can play either position. Excellent value for the Redbirds that allows DC Bill Davis to further tweak their Hybrid alignment.
Draft Tek - 3rd Round - Dan LeFevour QB - Central Michigan
Draft Tek - 4th Round - Kyle Calloway OT - Iowa
Draft Tek - 5th Round - Perry Riley OLB - LSU
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Some Good OLB's
I will be surprised if Brandon Graham is still available at 26. Especially after his senior bowl performance. I will be even more surprised if Jerry Hughes is available in the second round. There is a better chance that Sergio Kindle might still be around. He is very athletic and may be a good 3-4 OLB. Why isn’t anyone looking for the Cardinals to take an ILB? Many think Dansby is as good as gone and they have no depth at the position. Hayes is a two down LB. Great against the run, but not so good in coverage. The Cards drafted two OLB’s last year. It seems the bigger need is at ILB.
Bit of a toss-up
Granted, we did take Brown last year, but he has yet to hit the field for us. Assuming he steps into one starting position, we still need someone to play OLB on the other side. While we do need an ILB who can actually cover (wouldn’t that be grand?), the 3-4 alignment relies more on the pass rush to be effective. We don’t need to be as good in coverage if we can get to the QB with any kind of frequency. While we did have a lot of sacks, we weren’t consistently pressuring, so I think that’s why OLB gets the nod.
ILB
is a less coveted position in the first round of the draft. Rolando McClain is probably the only ILB going in the first round. Spikes has questionable skills, discipline, and speed from his senior year and would have been placed higher last draft. Don’t like Graham because he is another converted 4-3 DE. If you take a look at the Cardinal’s defense the worst problem they had was in stopping the run. They need to get stronger up front with a true NT and RushOLB.
Funny to see us getting Hughes in the 1st and 2nd rounds
Looks like the 1st-rd TE drafters have been reading the boards here. Or did you intentionally leave them out?
SS Burnett sounds like an interesting prospect but the only way I see it happening is if Rolle leaves.
Burnett
at one point was being compared to keeping up with Eric Berry at SS. My guess is that they could let Ralph Brown and/or Matt Ware leave with FA and then the possibility of Rolle leaving they will be short handed in the secondary. I don’t care for McFadden either and expect him to be released this year or gone next year. I still look for them to get another S and CB or two CBs in the draft.
Didn't leave any out. I found as much as I could
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Brown is practically a rookie this season.
In essence Brown would be like an extra 1st this year. As far as Davis goes, how many rookies would be able to beat him out with a year in the system under his belt. You could say the same for Reggie Walker and the ILBs, but with Hayes not being good in coverage, we’d need someone who could drop back to defend. That’s why my vote is an ILB over an OLB.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Feb 22, 2010 6:26 PM MST via mobile reply actions
It always gets me
when I read the reviews of these self-annointed draft “experts.” Walter Football is calling Graham a bigger risk as a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB? We have yet to even see him play OLB, the biggest question surrounding him is if he can play in space. Watching him tear apart Iowa LT Bryan Bulaga and how he performed in the Senior Bowl leaves little question in my mind as to how he’ll perform as a 4-3 DE.
Anyways, on to the real discussion. More so than ever, I think we’ll go BPA in round one with the amount of holes we need to fill, particularly on defense. I will say that there appears to be far more prospects at OLB than at ILB for teams that run the 3-4, so the appeal of Spikes may be too much to pass up. Having watched him play I don’t see any concern at all with his speed or skills, and I think in many ways he’s the safest pick that may potentially be available at #26.
The only other true 3-4 ILB I see coming out of this draft is Kentucky’s Micah Johnson. Of course, there isn’t a ton of depth at NT either, so it may be hard to pass on Tennessee NT Dan Williams if he’s there.
Agree with BPA
I agree LongBeach that in the first round they go with BPA. There are plenty of positions where they could use an upgrade, or depth. I also agree with kj that ILB is not as coveted as OLB, expecially in the 3-4. There are definately more OLB’s with a first round grade. It will be very interesting to see how the Cardinals address their needs at ILB.
The risk with Graham at 4-3 DE isn't with his pass rush ability
It’s with him being able to hold the edge and play the run.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
At least
we’ve seen him hold the edge and play the run in college, we have yet to see him in coverage, but I do agree in the NFL, at 265-270, it could be an issue (although I doubt it).
Clarification
on the above post. I mean to say the only other true 3-4 ILB once McClain and Spikes are off the board, didn’t mean to leave McClain off that list.
After seeing how some good QBs burned us, I'm more worried about having someone that can get to the Quarterback fast.
Sure would have helped in that Titans game…
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
Draft wish list
1st Round.Taylor Mays- Safety / 2.nd Round Darryl Washington ILB / 3rd Round Toby Gebhart RB / 4th Round Colt McCoy QB / 5th Round Rico McCoy OLB / 6th Round Lamar HoustonDT./ 7th Round Chris Magaha That would be my draft choices . .
Great wish list ...
for the Eagles. Mays is a big safety who is projected by some as being a LB in the NFL. Think Brian Urlacher. O.K. maybe this wouldn’t be too bad if he could play ILB. Toby Gebheart in the 3rd would be terrible value. He would be a 2nd or 3rd back on many teams but only a 4th or 5th for us.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
Draft Wish list
1st – Jerry Hughes (OLB). 2nd – Ndamukong Suh (NT). 3rd – Eric Berry (S). 4th – Rolando McClain (ILB). 5th – Sam Bradford(QB). 6th – Anthony Davis(LT). 7th – Joe Haden (CB).
For the 3rd round pick we get for Boldin I would take Sergio Kindle (OLB).
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
What no offensive lineman?
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
yeah i covered that with Anthony Davis as LT
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
You forgot...
The possible 5th and 7th round compensatory picks.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Feb 24, 2010 6:52 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Right now my favorite out of all of them is Brandon Graham.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
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