2011 NFL Draft Results: Arizona Cardinals Draft Fullback Anthony Sherman In The Fifth Round

Looks like the Cardinals really want to run the ball more. They haven't upgraded the Offensive Line at all yet, but they have selected Ryan Williams in the second round, and in the fifth round they have added Fullback Anthony Sherman from UConn. I don't know much about this years Fullback class, but Sherman was apparently one of the top rated Fullbacks on some draft boards according to Kent Somers.

The Cards went with UConn fullback Anthony Sherman in the fifth round. It’s a position they’ve been looking for since losing Terrelle Smith after the Super Bowl season. He’s considered a good blocker, even in pass protection, and a good special-teams player (important given the probable loss of Jason Wright). Sherman is 5-10 and 240. His Pro Football Weekly summary (which listed him as a fourth- or fifth-round pick): "A hardworking, assignment-sound fullback with starting-caliber toughness, physicality and blocking ability." He’s also a guy who can catch passes.

Sherman called himself a "lunchpail player." With Nehemiah Broughton coming off a third major knee surgery and the team looking to upgrade over Reagan Maui’a, it’s not a shocking choice.

"You gotta have a couple screws loose to be a fullback," Sherman said. "I don’t know if everyone can do it, but there are a few of us doing it every day out here."

With Reagan Maui'a not being known for much besides crashing through a wall, and Nehemiah Broughton going down with an ACL injury during the Preseason, the Cardinals did not have much at the Fullback position last season. Perhaps Sherman can be a factor at that position. The Cardinals have drafted well in the fifth round under Ken Whisenhunt (Tim Hightower, Steve Breaston, and possibly John Skelton if he develops into a quality starting Quarterback someday), so lets see if he can be added to that list of successes.