Mel Kiper Re-draft Gives Arizona Cardinals D'Brickashaw Ferguson

by Jess Root on Jan 26, 2012 5:01 AM MST in NFL Draft/Combine

We all wish we could go back in time to use hindsight as the means of making better judgement. We don't have that luxury in our life. However, when it comes to looking at past NFL Draft classes, we have Mel Kiper. Something that Kiper does is go back to old draft classes and does a re-draft in which the players are ordered based on their NFL production and impact rather than their potential. The latest focuses on the year 2006.

For the Cardinals, you might remember that it was the year in which Matt Leinart fell to the Cardinals at number 10 and they took him. Then head coach Denny Green called him "a gift from heaven."

Kiper's redo makes it a different story.

Leinart did not get drafted in the first round at all and, instead of the guy who was supposed to be the team's QB of the future, they would select LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson at number 10.

Says Kiper:

Drafted at No. 4 overall, Ferguson was expected to be very good, and he has been. A Pro Bowl regular, he may be overshadowed by the excellence of Mangold, but plenty of teams would love to get what he provides the Jets. Previous draft spot: No. 4

In hindsight, Ferguson would have been a great pick. With him already protecting the left side of the line, they never would have drafted Levi Brown with the fifth pick overall the next year. They could have instead taken Adrian Peterson.

Of course, without Leinart here, Kurt Warner doesn't have to step up his game to win the starting job, meaning he likely never has that career resurrection.

In the end, it is impossible to imagine what really would have happened had Ferguson been the guy Arizona drafted in 2006.

What do you think? I imagine everyone would say that they would rather have drafted him than Leinart, but in what way do you think it would have been different?

Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and "like" us on Facebook. You can follow me individually at @senorjessroot.

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Can't see the whole article b/c it's insider content

But Mario Williams falls out of the top 4? He’s been pretty amazing in my book especially when you consider he’s totally changed positions this past season and didn’t seem to miss a beat. Granted he’s been a bit injury prone and that no doubt played into his thought process but if I’m picking one guy from that draft to impact one ball game, I’m probably going with Williams.

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 26, 2012 9:22 AM MST reply actions

He was #5

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by Jess Root on Jan 26, 2012 9:49 AM MST up reply actions

Ah ok, that's not too bad then I guess

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 26, 2012 9:58 AM MST up reply actions

Well

Since Leinart didn’t get drafted in Kipers first round, perhaps we pick him up later, say the 5th round? Warner still has to win the starting job and resurrects his career, and with D’Brickashaw protecting his blindside, Warner doesn’t retire after the Saints game. With Warner still at the helm, we make it to the playoffs this season and beat the Niners in the NFC Championships and are currently preparing to avenge Warner’s SB loss to the Patriots while he was with the Rams.

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by GreaZzy on Jan 26, 2012 10:44 AM MST reply actions

That is awesome

Like the Cardinals? Revenge of the Birds is where to go.
Like Arizona Sports in general? SB Nation Arizona is where you'll get it all.
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by Jess Root on Jan 26, 2012 1:11 PM MST up reply actions