Mock Draft Wishlist
by jets47 on Mar 12, 2010 9:15 AM MST
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PrintGood morning. At Gang Green Nation, we are doing a mock draft where one of us picks a team and we are that teams GM for the first 2 rounds. Its straight forward, there are no trades, or RFA signings, etc. I was looking for a little help.
I chose the Cardinals because I feel I have a good sense of what the team is lacking. My gameplan was to probably look at Hughes or Graham if one was available but I wanted to hear from you great fans. I think a strong OLB presence would be a big need, an ILB, and possibly more depth on the DL or secondary. QB could be a concern, but Unless Claussen or Bradford fell, I probably won't be selecting one in the first two rounds. I also think the OL could use a little boost.
Anyways, if you could be so kind, please make some suggestions. Is there anyone the team is very high on, or that you are. Am I missing any needs?
Thank you.
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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Your pretty spot on.
The team needs a dominant pass rusher. It looks like they may have a deal very soon with Joey Porter. Also they have some up and coming OLB’s in the wings so they may pass on the position when balancing BPA and needs.
They really need some young talent at ILB. They are thin there and though they will bring in a veteran replacement for Dansby they still need the man of the future.
On the defensive line the NT spot is up for contest but the DE spots are set with Campbell and Dockett.
The team could use more quality depth in the secondary, CB in particular. Unless someone amazing pops up though I wouldn’t bet the farm on the Cards going here in the first 2.
If the BPA is an OL I can definitely see the Cards going that route with one of the top 2 picks. They could use improvement, though again there are a couple guys in the wings that may start next year and they just signed G Rex Hadnot who was released by the Browns.
QB should be settled before the draft. Would be amazed if they took a QB in the first 2 rounds. Expect a later round QB for the 3rd string if it is still unfilled. If Leinart bombs this year, next year’s crop is more appealing.
TE I’m glad you didn’t mention. Cards have 4 signed and won’t in any likelyhood be taking one (at least this early) although it seems to be the most common misconception out there.
As for anyone the ROTBers are high on I would have to say right now Sean Weatherspoon. If McClain fell to #26 I think he would be a snap too.
by hadrarius on Mar 12, 2010 10:20 AM MST reply actions 2 recs
Hadrarius summed it up
right there, the only thing I’d add is to keep on eye on both Brandon Graham and Dan Williams, should either one slip to #26. Otherwise, Weatherspoon seems like the most realistic pick.
Thank you for the reply. If McClain fell to #26 I will take him without hesitation. He’d be a steal at your current position. Otherwise my thought it Brandon Spikes or Jamar Chaney round 2. I personally am higher on Brandon Graham and Jerry Hughes than Weatherspoon as a more complete OLB. Is that not the consensus around ROTB?
I think I’m confident round 1 will be McClain, Graham, Hughes or Weatherspoon. Round 2 may be Spikes or Chaney, Gresham if he’s slips which is doubtful, or possibly a nose. I’m not too high on Cody (though late second would be a good pick) or Cam Thomas. Has either of those guys been mentioned around here?
It is the consensus at OLB
but the feeling here is that Weatherspoon would fit in perfectly as our weakside ILB replacement for Dansby. We have two second-year players we drafted last year at OLB (Will Davis and Cody Brown) that we’re hopeful about but if Weatherspoon is off the board or if a guy like Graham slips to #26 we won’t be complaining.
There has been debate about a NT, and if so, who and when? Obviously by my previous post I’d like Williams but realize Cody or Thomas are probably more realistic. The concerns with both are well-documented (Thomas not performing up to his ability at NC, but performing well at the Senior Bowl; and Cody’s painful modeling session but good productivity at Alabama). At this point, with his recent weight loss I’d be a little more comfortable with Cody, but I have no idea if this is a position our front office is targeting but I’d be surprised if they’re not.
It’s a bit of a long shot, but I won’t be shocked if Iupati is the choice if he slips. Whisenhunt has been clear about his desire to establish a power running game here.
Most of the talk here
has centered around LB’s, either inside guys or pass rushers. Not too much discussion on NT. As I understand it there aren’t too many NT that are projected to go very high this year. Not familiar with Cam Thomas but I don’t really follow college ball. Spikes is another name that has cropped up of course.
Second
I wouldn’t mind going after a guy like Perrish Cox either. Definitely need some depth in the secondary.
They are who we thought they were!
by Jesse Reynolds on Mar 12, 2010 1:53 PM MST up reply actions
+1
I also like weatherspoon, and I could actually see him being available at #26. He was a monster for a mediocre squad out of Mizzou, that played against some rather difficult O-lines… With the addition of Hadnot, I think we can now focus our first two picks comfortably on the defensive side of the ball, and with Cody Brown coming back from his injury the past year, our 2nd rounder last year will be having his “rookie” season this year. So it really depends what we do with the 3 proven LBs visiting us this week, if we sign two or all 3 then I say we fill in our CB need, but we would most likely go with BPA if that situation arose, which could potentially be any position. If we sign one of the three, we need to draft ILB (unless Foote is the one we pick up)…
I think if Porter signs, I still think a young dynamic OLB would be a good pick round 1. Is your preference in order Weatherspoon, Graham, Hughes?
My personal preference
if it’s an OLB would be Kindle, Graham, then Hughes.
At ILB I’d go with McClain, then Weatherspoon. I would hold off on Spikes, which I wasn’t saying a few weeks ago but the scouting reports seem to have him projected only as a strong-side ILB and with Gerald Hayes at that position we’d only need to add some depth, and I think a guy like Kentucky’s Micah Johnson would do the same job as Spikes but with a more appropriate draft pick.
Kindle
is a guy who keeps sounding better every time I read about him. This time of year I wish I was more familiar with college ball.
I really doubt he slips to #26
but it would be a gift if he did. Same kind of pass-rushing ability as his college teammate, Brian Orakpo, but is already an OLB so there wouldn’t be a transition to that position for him (largely my reasoning for putting him ahead of Graham, but I wouldn’t complain about either).
+1 hadrarius
That’s why Im getting the potential draft pick segment going daily. It helps me too.
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
I like Graham, Sapp, and Weatherspoon.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
For ILB, Weatherspoon
For OLB, most of us like Graham, Kindle, or Hughes.
2nd round can be a OL or DT.
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
Or CB!
They are who we thought they were!
by Jesse Reynolds on Mar 12, 2010 2:05 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Seems kind of early for a CB
unless you’re not expecting Toler to be an effective starter, then I could see it.
Deja vu.
Reminds me of Edge (McFadden) being the starter. Then drafting a 5th round back up in Hightower (Toler) who would eventually take over as the starter. Then using a 1st on Wells (??) who will no doubt take over as the starter. It could happen. But I hope not.
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 Mar 12, 2010 5:01 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
CB is like RB
in that it pays to have a deep stable. I like your analogy. If the Cards do end up with 3 3rd round picks, I think thats the most likely place we see another DB.
3rd round will be interesting.
The Cardinals have back to back 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
I thank all of you guys for your responses
At first when I kept hearing about Weatherspoon, I just didn’t get it. I thought of him soley as a 4-3 OLB who’d be ineffective as a 3-4 OLB. I guess I never considered moving him inside. Still his size does concern me a little bit even in the middle. I think if you had someone like Cody who could force double teams, he’d perhaps have a very productive year. I think a nose is very important for someone like Weatherspoon in the middle.
OLB it looks like will be Kindle or Graham if they are available. If not I may wait until round 2 to try and land Sapp. Cox will probably also be available, and its a kid I like. I also like McCourty but I dont think he will fall.
Iupati is also one who I dont think makes it past the Steelers but if he does he can fall to you. I have few doubts Weatherspoon will be there too. Is there one guy you like more than another?
Between Weatherspoon and Iupati?
Tough call, I like them both but I’d probably say Weatherspoon would have more value as a first-round pick than Iupati (not sold on the idea of a first rounder for a Guard, and I’m in the camp that doesn’t really see Iupati being an effective Tackle).
But as Guards go, he fits the mold for a power running attack about as well as anyone I’ve seen in a long time.
Guard just isn't a need right now
With the signing of Hadnot, I don’t see the Cardinals using a 1st on a G.
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
I tend to agree
however, I think we’re getting a little too pumped up about Hadnot. He’s most effective at RG, and I don’t see him taking Lutui’s spot so unless Deuce is being projected to the other side of the line with Levi, Hadnot looks like a guy who will fill the same type of role as Bridges, a reliable veteran with a lot of experience who can fill in capably when someone gets injured.
Iupati would project as a major upgrade in the running game over Reggie Wells, but I agree with you about using a first on a Guard, it typically doesn’t warrant that high of a draft pick (Steve Hutchinson being a notable exception).
Iupati can also shift to RT for increased flexibility. If Levi Brown doesnt work out, gets hurt, etc. he can easily start at RT.
True
I could see him filling the strong-side tackle position early in his career, although with us you have to remember the Leinart dynamic (left-hand QB) so the RT is now the weakside Tackle.
It’s been reported, as well, that we’re planning to move Levi to LT this season.
As a tackle on an island
I agree with you, but on a straight-ahead running play he looks dominant. If you get a chance, check out what he did to Ray Maualuga his sophomore year – you can watch it on youtube by just typing in Mike Iupati.
I don't get why
people think a guy who played guard in college would come into the nfl and be so good as to start as a rookie at tackle. At guard possibly, but a new postion? Really? Not for Whisenhunt.
In defense
of that argument (and for the record I agree with you) there have been examples of it, the ones that come to mind are Brian Urlacher, who actually played some safety at New Mexico, and Jeff Lageman, who I think was a TE in college when the Jets drafted him and coverted to DE/LB.
But to the issue at hand, I think Iupati would have to play Tackle on the strong side if that switch were to be made but I still think his best position would be as a Guard.
Yeah, I was referring to others not you.
Some of the mock draft commentary I’ve read suggested he would be capable of starting at either guard or tackle immediately.
Here's my personal big board
adjusted for players at positions of need, and for players that’ll most likely be available by the time we’re on the board.
1. Bruce Campbell – In the mid-20’s, Bruce Campbell would be a STEAL. He already has the skillset to be a dominant RT in the league (he is a monster run blocker), and he has the raw athleticism to potentially turn into an elite pass protector, as well. Don’t let the fact that he’s #1 on Oakland’s big board sway you – Bruce Campbell is a player, and a potential franchise left tackle.
2. Jerry Hughes – The top pure pass rusher in this draft (especially after Greg Hardy’s destroying his stock), he’d be another great steal in the middle of the 20’s.
3. Anthony Davis – Though the character/motivation concerns will drop him, he has the physical talent to succeed. If Whis and Grimm think they can coach him up, then he’ll make a great choice.
4. Sean Weatherspoon – Theoretically, he would make us forget all about Dansby. He is also a team leader, and would help in that regard as well. A fantastic player, he’s not a priority only because ILB’s aren’t as important in the grand scheme of things.
5. Terrence Cody – Terrence Cody is really putting his doubters to rest by working his ass off and shedding the weight. He’s the only true bonafide 3-4 Nose Tackle in this draft (Dan Williams would be best suited for the 4-3), and would gobble up 2-3 lineman per snap. Of course, he’s only a 2 down player, but so are the likes of Jamal Williams, Vince Wilfork and Casey Hampton.
6. Sergio Kindle – I’m not fully convinced that Graham can make the transition to 3-4 OLB, so Sergio Kindle gets the nod above him at this point. Kindle, on the other hand, HAS worked out of a standing base for Texas before.
7. Brandon Graham – Like I said, I’m not fully convinced if Graham can make the transition. If he’s our pick, he’ll likely ride the bench for a year (outside of clear passing downs) in order to learn the nuances of the position.
8. Dan Williams – He’s best suited as a 4-3 NT, IMO, but he does have the size and strength to play 3-4 NT, as well.
9. Trent Williams – Honestly, if we get this lose, then lets just go with BPA, even if that happens to be a CB, or WR, or HB or anything. I am NOT convinced Trent Williams is anything special at this point, even after he blew up the combine.
Good Write-Up
but I’m not as sold on Campbell as you are. Phenomenal athlete, but had very limited starts and was very inconsistent at Maryland. I could see his development as very similar to another former Terp, Vernon Davis. Great athlete who is just now becoming what he was projected to be when he entered the league.
I think Williams will be very successful in a 3-4. Even Iupati couldn’t get him moved on a double team at the Senior Bowl. I’d also take Kindle and Graham before I’d take Hughes.
But all in all, your post was very thorough with a lot of realistic possibilities at #26.
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