Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Round Up

by Andrew602 on Feb 4, 2010 3:00 AM MST in 2010 Draft Comment 50 comments

Offensive tackle, Bruce Campbell.

It's been a while since we've done a mock draft round up so I scoured the web for the most mock drafts I could find and posted them here. Take a look to see who these "experts" have the Cardinals selecting.

Draft Tech - Ricky Sapp, OLB Clemson

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 for Whisenhunt.

Draft Countdown - 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. An amazing athlete with prototypical size (6-7, 310) and nimble feet, Campbell is still raw and has some durability concerns but his potential is almost limitless.

Football's Future - Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers

The offense has the ability to be one of the leagues most explosive and adding talent to the line will only make it better.

The New NFL Draft - 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.

Walter Football -

Round 1: Brandon Graham, OLB Michigan

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.

Round 2: Kyle Calloway, OT Iowa

Mike Gandy, who just entered his 30s, surrendered 6.5 sacks in 2008, and gave up eight sacks and eight penalties this year before landing on IR. He'll be a free agent after the 2009 NFL season. Backup Jeremy Bridges played relatively well in relief of Gandy at first, but was exposed as the season progressed

Round 3: Jarrett Brown, QB West Virginia

Jarrett Brown has the tools to fit Arizona's vertical offense, but he's raw and needs some time to develop.

Round 4: Matt Tennant, C Boston College

Lyle Sendlein has played better this season, but you saw it in that Monday night game - the 49ers just had a beat on Sendlein, which is how they were able to get to Kurt Warner so easily. The Cardinals, who don't have very many needs, could use an upgrade at the center position.

My NFL Draft -

Round 1: Brian Price, DT UCLA

Round 2: Selvish Capers, OT West Virginia

The Football Expert -

Round 1: Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

The Cards could use an impact tight end and will hope Greshamfalls. They missed on Leonard Pope in the third round (2006) and he is now a Chief. Remember Stephen Spach’s dramatic wild card game against the Falcons? He hasn’t been the same since. Left tackle is also wobbly with Gandy aging. Last year right about here (#20) the Lions took Oklahoma State’s Pettigrew and this year it is a different Big XII player looking like the consensus top tight end in the field. His knee injury makes his draft stock hard to gauge right now, but this feels right.

Round 2: Tony Pike, QB Cincinatti

Matt Leinart has been disastrous at times and is not exactly the poster boy for working hard as a professional football player. Remember when Aaron Rodgers was poised to take over for Brett Favre? The Packers took a quarterback in the second and seventh round. I am probably more of a Pike fan than most, but he does need some seasoning and to pack on a few pounds.

Draft King - Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

Injury deep-sixed Gresham's season almost before it began, but people with memories of 2008 and before know that Gresham is a serious receiving threat who can also block well and do basically anything you'd want out of a tight end. Adding another viable receiving threat to Arizona's offense would be a frightening prospect for the rest of the NFC West.

That does it for the mock drafts from around the web. The most surprising part about all of them is the lack of a linebacker taken in the 1st round. That position seems like the Cardinals biggest concern at this point. What are your thoughts?

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Comments

Graham

I saw him in the senior bowl and immediately saw flashes of him in a Cardinals uni

http://undrafteds.com/

by Undrafteds on Feb 4, 2010 7:09 AM MST reply actions

Eh maybe

But we need linebacker help before anything.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 4, 2010 7:38 AM MST up reply actions

Yea, we have several bigger needs than TE right now.

If we are going to grab a TE in this draft, the one I have my eye on is Jimmy Graham. He isn’t anything special right now because of the limited experience he has but he has all the intangibles to be the next Antonio Gates. His problem that will keep him from being drafted on day one is the fact that he has only one seasons worth of football in the last 8 years, (before this season he had not played football since his freshman year in high school).

by Pyromnc on Feb 4, 2010 8:10 AM MST up reply actions

Graham

is a linebacker…we are talking about Brandon here right?

And if he’s available for us late in the first round, he’s got my vote.

by SenSurround on Feb 4, 2010 9:09 AM MST up reply actions

Wow, just went back an read his comment.

I mistakenly misread “Graham” for “Gresham”… What I get for commenting before having my morning coffee.

by Pyromnc on Feb 4, 2010 9:16 AM MST up reply actions

You

and Andrew both, it appears :p

by SenSurround on Feb 4, 2010 9:21 AM MST up reply actions

Yikes

I see that now. There names are close together.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 4, 2010 9:57 AM MST up reply actions

nice catch Sen hahahahaha

yes, I meant

Brandon Graham, OLB Michigan

http://undrafteds.com/

by Undrafteds on Feb 4, 2010 2:50 PM MST up reply actions

Well, projected

OLB, that is. At Michigan he’s a DE.

by Long Beach on Feb 4, 2010 2:54 PM MST up reply actions

Agreed

This is the guy I see us taking if he’s still there at #26. His resemblance to LaMarr Woodley can’t be unnoticed by Whisenhunt and Davis.

by Long Beach on Feb 4, 2010 2:13 PM MST up reply actions

If Kyle Calloway is there at our pick in the second round...

I will be shocked. He would be great value there.

I’m hoping we address the pass rush with our first round pick, but we have enough needs that I think the FO will go BPA within those areas of need (LB,CB,OT).

by jallred350 on Feb 4, 2010 8:19 AM MST reply actions

I think we can get a decent corner in the 3rd round.

While that position is of need, I liked what I saw out of Toler in the playoffs. If he continues to work hard, it is not inconceivable for him to be starting along side of DRC next season. I think we could nab one in the third or fourth round just to add some depth at the position.

by Pyromnc on Feb 4, 2010 8:22 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

I also think

That more athletic OLB’s will greatly help too. I saw our LB’s get burned too many times and asking A-Dub to cover TE’s and RB’s the entire game is a waste of his abilities. He is a center fielder who crashes down, not a man coverage guy. His best plays are mostly when he is roaming. So, if we can get some LB’s that can at least help pass coverage and allow Wilson to roam more, I think we will be in business.

They are who we thought they were!

by Jessesb on Feb 4, 2010 8:35 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

Out linebackers were not very good in coverage this past season. Someone like a Brandon Spikes or Navarro Bowman would be nice picks to try and shore up that problem (both should be available at our first round pick).

by Pyromnc on Feb 4, 2010 9:46 AM MST up reply actions

There's the catch

with filling the OLB position with college DE’s. Their pass rush typically projects well, but they haven’t had to play in space before. Eric Norwood, from South Carolina, is an OLB who would likely fit the bill you’re looking for. Very curious to see how this draft plays out, I don’t think it’s nearly as predictable as last year.

by Long Beach on Feb 4, 2010 3:12 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs

Agreed

Toler really showed up at the end of last year. Hopefully we can get one more guy that can cover in this draft so we can have some good young depth at the position.

by jallred350 on Feb 4, 2010 11:21 AM MST up reply actions

sticking with the Steelers mentality...

Whiz will pick up the best available player. I don’t think we will pick up a OT in the first round. Whiz believes in developing before playing and that’s what has been done with Keith and Herm Johnson this past year. I expect at least one of those guys to start in Gandy’s spot.

by Punisher3190 on Feb 4, 2010 8:25 AM MST reply actions

I hope so

I want to see what they got.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 4, 2010 10:00 AM MST up reply actions

As usual, I like the Walter Football draft.

The last few mocks seem like they were done by dudes in their parent’s basements. The order should be OT/LB, LB/OT, BPA among CB/LB/DE. After the 3rd round should be BPA.

When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome again. True story.
-Barney Stinson

by Red Reign on Feb 4, 2010 10:11 AM MST reply actions

ILB

If the Cardinals lose Karlos Dansby to free agency they will need ILB’s in the worst way. The already have no depth at the posiition. I agree that they will take the best available player in the early rounds. But their most pressing need is definately at LB.

by WeiWuWei on Feb 4, 2010 11:27 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

I see us addressing ILB in the draft, I’ll be curious to see when. Brandon Spikes, ILB from Florida, could be the choice. A sleeper in the draft, especially since he’s hurt and wasn’t able to participate in the Senior Bowl is Kentucky ILB Micah Johnson. Both fit very well as 3-4 ILB’s.

by Long Beach on Feb 4, 2010 2:53 PM MST up reply actions

I'm thinking this is the key reason we'll trade Boldin this offseason

We have a few too many immediate holes that need to be filled, and an additional 2nd rounder would fill in nicely right now.

Section 102, Row 18

by CardsFan08 on Feb 4, 2010 7:03 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Very possible

I hope not, but between ILB, OLB, NT, and possibly a free safety there is a lot to deal with this year. With any luck we’ll have some of these problems addressed before the draft.

The biggest problem I have with most who think we should trade Boldin (not saying you, just a lot of those outside the Cardinal community) is when they point to how we’ve played without him. Great players can be replaced in the short-term. Players typically can step up for a few games. The loss of All-Pro players tends to really show up over the course of a 16-game season when they’re no longer around. Do we really want to lose both Warner and Boldin from the offense next year? To me, with Warner being gone it reinforces the need to give Boldin a new deal.

But the F.O. does have a lot on their plate, no debating that. Something has to give this year.

by Long Beach on Feb 4, 2010 7:15 PM MST up reply actions

Better to trade Boldin this year

than to let him walk away next year. The draft picks the Cards get for him will go to help fill those holes. If he walks they get nothing for him.

by hadrarius on Feb 5, 2010 9:34 AM MST up reply actions

true

There’s no way of knowing if he truly wants to even remain with the team at this point.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 5, 2010 11:20 AM MST up reply actions

However,

It might be even better to lock him up to long-term contract than to watch him walk.

by Long Beach on Feb 6, 2010 11:12 AM MST up reply actions

WR

is one of the few spots with viable depth on the team. Boldin is a commodity with value. One of the few quality options the Cards have to put on the trading block. If they get him a long term deal I will not be sad. I do like Boldin.

The option to trade him for draft picks and / or positions of need has to have some attraction in the front office. Like Andrew said, there is no way of knowing if he wants to remain on the team. Not for us or even the F.O. We don’t know what the F.O. is thinking of him either. I

If Boldin’s attitude toward the team through the years was like A-Dub’s then I wouldn’t be expecting the trade. Being what it has been, I suspect we’ve seen the end of Boldin.

by hadrarius on Feb 6, 2010 3:36 PM MST up reply actions

Time will tell

if we’re as deep at WR as we think. In short periods of time both Breaston and Doucet have stepped up capably as “starting” WR’s. However, if we trade Boldin we’ll find out if they’re really ready to perform at that level over 16 weeks. The other thing to remember is it won’t be Warner throwing the ball to them anymore.

I’m still very leery about an idea that promotes losing another Pro Bowler from the offensive unit. In spite of his attitude towards the front office, he’s been nothing short of professional on the field.

by Long Beach on Feb 7, 2010 2:19 PM MST up reply actions

Pike and Brown

Pike – Really doubt the card’s will draft a QB in the second so scratch that possibility completely

Brown- Hes a 5th year senior, how much more time does he need.

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by zAIN J on Feb 4, 2010 2:20 PM MST reply actions

Really doubt

Pike goes in the second round, or that we’re that interested in him. Jarrett Brown, on the other hand, could very well be on our radar. His first three years he played behind Pat White, who obviously wasn’t losing his starting job to an underclassman, but when you see him (Brown) play his pro potential jumps off the screen.

It wouldn’t shock me to see Brown off the board before Pike, but if he’s available in the middle rounds he could be a gem.

by Long Beach on Feb 4, 2010 2:50 PM MST up reply actions

Completely agree

They are who we thought they were!

by Jessesb on Feb 5, 2010 2:18 AM MST up reply actions

The Football Expert is no Expert.

TE, QB 1-2. What world is this guy living in? Obviously not in touch with the Cardinals.

by hadrarius on Feb 4, 2010 2:31 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

2nd!

by tw3kr on Feb 5, 2010 1:34 AM MST up reply actions

lol

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 5, 2010 11:20 AM MST up reply actions

I like Sapp and Graham.

Hopefully one of them wind up going to the Cards in the draft.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Feb 4, 2010 2:35 PM MST reply actions

Most

teams tend to shy away from a ROLB in the first round. History shows the teams that take a ROLB get burned from it for a year or two. Though Sapp seems like a logical choice for a true OLB. Maybe Bruce Campbell at OT but he has had some concerns on durability. Other first round speculations I like that some will disagree on are OC Maurkice Pouncey, CB Devin McCourty, or DE/DT Jared Odrick. I really like in rounds 5-6 to take someone like Mike Kafka the QB out of Northwestern. He needs some refinement but after the East West Shrine game he looks like a good late round pick for a developing or backup QB.

by kj197728 on Feb 4, 2010 5:17 PM MST reply actions

Actually most teams

don’t shy away from it. If you look at last year you had Orakpo, Maybin, and Larry English go in round 1, all of whom were college DE’s who were being brought in as OLB’s. This year’s projections have as many as six who could go in round (although when the smoke clears it will probably be 3 or 4).

Nowadays, it’s the ILB’s that tend to slip out of round 1.

by Long Beach on Feb 4, 2010 6:49 PM MST up reply actions

Supply and demand

Demand is high, supply is there but massively inconsistent.

by tw3kr on Feb 5, 2010 1:35 AM MST up reply actions

Agreed

I’m not saying I’d personally risk drafting a DE and then convert him to an OLB, just saying that if you look the recent history they’re not sliding due to their performances, if anything they’re more in demand than ever.

by Long Beach on Feb 6, 2010 11:14 AM MST up reply actions

more teams are using the 3-4 defense

this is the big reason why teams are going after the olb pass rushers. 10 years ago most of these guys would never be considered first round picks because in the 4-3 defense most would have problems covering backs or dropping back in coverage. in the 3-4, most of the time they are attacking the qb

by lifelongcardfan on Feb 6, 2010 7:45 PM MST up reply actions

1/2 right

The typical 3-4 OLB was a DE in college who converts to a OLB at the pro level. The bigger question for most of these guys, if they get drafted by a team that runs the 4-3, is are they big enough to handle their responsibilities against the run. Dropping into coverage is the biggest question mark when they get drafted into a 3-4 system. For example, as much as I like Michigan DE Brandon Graham, and am convinced he’ll be a legit pass rusher at the NFL level, there are still questions as to whether, at 265 pounds, if he can drop into coverage as an OLB.

But to the original point of all this, yes, the creation of the 3-4 has increased the value of undersized DE’s dramatically.

by Long Beach on Feb 7, 2010 2:14 PM MST up reply actions

HHMMMM

both of us agree about the run/pass coverage issues regarding the 3-4 defense and the 4-3 and we both agree that there are a lot more teams using the 3-4 defense. but not all olb’s are converted defensive end in college. you also have to understand the scheme that the particular college uses. But more importantly here lets not get into a back n forth contest here. you raise really good points and i do respect your comments when you post.

by lifelongcardfan on Feb 7, 2010 3:45 PM MST up reply actions

Likewise

about your comments, just clarifying/agreeing, for the most part, why more and more college DE’s are going in round 1. You are correct in saying that not all 3-4 OLB’s are converted DE’s, especially now that more college teams are using the 3-4 themselves.

by Long Beach on Feb 7, 2010 5:19 PM MST up reply actions

i agree with you on pouncy

i’m hoping the cards get pouncey as well, he’s a certain starter and an instant upgrade. but i was hoping he could be had in the second round. that may be wishful thinking. with the first pick, i say draft the best corner i would like haden {i know we would have to move up to get him but the cards have the pieces to do so} , but i’ll take the playmaker from boise state. i like a couple of the olb’s like graham and sapp but i keep asking myself, can they come in and win a job based on their performance, and beat out haggan or brown, and the new guy from canada? i also think the solution to the tackle problem is already on the roster. i know pouncey could take sendleins position and i believe the kid from boise state and haden can take mcfadden’s job too. i don’t trust toler yet and i think he need more seasoning but i’ll give him the nickle back position though.

by lifelongcardfan on Feb 4, 2010 7:16 PM MST up reply actions

Is Pouncey a better C or G?

If I’m not mistaken he and his twin were G and T respectively and both slid down. Regardless he would be a great pick up. As far as Toler, I’m warming up to him starting. I def wouldn’t use a 3rd on a CB.

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 5, 2010 7:01 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

i saw pouncey listed as a center

you might be right though! either way, by far the weakest positions on both sides of the ball are the center position, left tackle and left corner, where mcfadden plays. sendlein belongs in the arena league or the cfl, he simply can’t slug it out with the interior linemen in the nfl, he can’t knock anyone off the ball during running plays and has problems in pass protection. toler isn’t ready yet. i like his athleticism but he’d get exposed playing full time. what i’d really like is for the cardinals to trade their second or third round pick to san diego for the other cromartie. the cardinals should outright release mcfadden and save his salary. he was a complete bust. i couldn’t imagine him being worst than green but he clearly was. i know a lot of people say draft an impact olb but we need playmakers on the corners and the cardinals only has one with drc. what happens if we don’t get the sack or at least apply pressure to the qb? a pass was usually completed on mcfaddons side of the field. i believe the other cromartie would make a hellava lot more plays then mcfaddon would. toler might also.

by lifelongcardfan on Feb 6, 2010 7:36 PM MST up reply actions

Walter Football = Leinart Haters

In the complete commentary on Jarrett Brown the guy says “I’ll be mildy surprised if they don’t trade for McNabb before May. If they do it means they have no faith in Matt Leinart…” I guess he didn’t get the memo.

He then has Dallas taking ILB Pat Angerer with the next pick. I don’t think Dallas would get their man in this scenario. This guy needs to take off the hate goggles and look at the needs of this team.

by hadrarius on Feb 4, 2010 5:32 PM MST reply actions

yeah some of the mock websites tend to be going for daring picks instead of realistic picks.

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

by Andrew602 on Feb 5, 2010 11:22 AM MST up reply actions

Needs

I find it funny how people think the Cards don’t have many needs. I’m trying to figure out how they won a play-off game. They need a LT, OLB, maybe ILB, CB, and need to add speed to the WR or RB position. They could use depth at OL, LB, CB, and it wouldn’t hurt to draft a QB to push Leinart. So how do they fill these needs???
They can’t do it all at once, but by drafting the best player available through the draft they can start to fill most of them. LB and LT are the major needs.
I’d love to see Graham fall to the Cards, or even the Cards move up to get him. If Campbells there fine, I understand the pick.

by Lead Dog on Feb 7, 2010 11:01 AM MST reply actions

INTERESTING

First of all the cardinals are set at the WR and RB positions even if they choose to keep the current group intact. If dansby resigns, the inside linebacker positions are set with he and hayes. at the OLB positions, there are the new guy from canada baggs, who is a pretty good fit for the attacking 3-4 scheme. Then there is brown another pass rushing OLB who was a high pick last year and is highly regarded the staff along with davis who was even better than most thought and is also in the mix. Haggin is a serviceable backup and for more depth, the cards can sign joey porter who will be cut by the dolphins. he wants to play for the cardinals. It can be debated if any of the current college players can come in and beat any of these guys out so it doesn’t make sense to spend a high pick at this position because of that uncertainty. on the offensive line the obvious weak spots that can be upgraded with the current college prospects are the LT and C positions as far as the tackle position is concerned the staff believes keith is ready to claim that spot and from all indications, the guy has promise. but if there is a legitimate LT prospect who without doubt can come in and beat keith out for the position the cardinals need to take him. As for as the Center position goes, I’d consider signing amano from the titans or as i mentioned in earlier post the kid pouncey from florida. Now for what i perceive, as the biggest weakness on this team, the secondary! In my opinion there are only two playmakers among the current group. DRC and Rolle. I like Wilson but his coverage skills are suspect. and Mcfadden is a bust. even worst they both play on the same side of the field and teams had too much success throwing on that side all season. an upgrade is going to happen here because the last time I checked, the NFL is a passing league now. if one must choose between wilson and mcfadden thats a no brainer! mcfadden has to go! some have mentioned toler, i think he’d make more plays than mcfadden but with his inexperience, teams will be throwing at him all game long and this team would still be in the same situation. there are solutions though. the cardinals could trade for DRC’s cousin from the chargers and i truly think this is their best option. or sign a guy like dunta robinson from houston who is one of the best cover guys in the nfl.either of these two would give instant credibility to the secondary and this defense would be tough.

The point of my reply is that the cardinals really only have a couple of glaring weaknesses on this team and they can be fixed this off season. But the front office has to be quick and decisive with these moves and that, i seriously doubt will happen.

by lifelongcardfan on Feb 7, 2010 3:15 PM MST up reply actions