With only six selections currently in the NFL draft next month, the Arizona Cardinals have to make each one count.
And to ensure no stone is unturned, NFL rules dictate that each team is allowed 30 pre draft visits/workouts/interviews/medical checkups (not counting local teams -which I'm assuming for BirdGang means NAU, ASU and UA) to further facilitate their evaluations.
While most of the higher profile players will make their way to the Tempe training headquarters in a few weeks, some "lesser, under the spotlight" prospects have had or will have, their chance to shine and maybe make a roster. Most of these guys are smaller school/later round guys with off-field troubles that weren't invited to the Combine and teams want to kick their tires before purchasing.
Draftace.com highlighted a few college players that the Cardinals are supposedly interested in and I added a short synopsis on their probable value, courtesy of NFL.com.
Dri Archer
Smallish(5-8 173) RB/KR from Kent State. Guy can absolutely fly with the top Combine numbers in the 40(4.26), vertical jump (38 in) and 3 cone and 20 yard shuttles. 4 career KO returns despite being kicked away from. Missed several games because of injuries.
More than likely a return guy because of size -shows extreme playmaking ability, the speed alone makes this player a possible Day 2 pick.
Larry Webster
Former basketball player turned TE turned DE from Bloomsburg College (PA). 6-6 250 with raw ability and NFL pedigree (father Larry SR played 11 seasons, mostly with Dolphins). A projected 5-6 rounder, some teams may decide to return him to TE in the Jimmy Graham/Julius Thomas/Jordan Cameron athletic mold.
Walt Aikens
At 6-1 205 and long arms, CB Aikens from Liberty College has the size GM Steve Keim has said he's craving for the defensive backfield. He also has possible character issues after being kicked off the Illinois squad for stealing laptops. Very athletic, good press man, special teamer and with FBS experience, he could have good value in the later rounds if clubs aren't scared off by past discretions.
Shaquille Richardson
Another tall, long armed CB in the Seahawk ideal, 6-1 194 Arizona's Richardson has the speed and length that is popular right now in the league. Good in press coverage and had 4 INTs as a sophomore. He also has off-the-field baggage, being kicked off the UCLA for theft and part of an on-field brawl against UCLA in 2011.
Projected 6-7 round selection.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
Though not on draftace.com list of interviewees, I read that the 6-5 300 OL from Canada's McGill College recently had a private workout. Had pro day numbers better than Taylor Lewan and is extremely intelligent, majoring as a medical student.
Is raw, especially considering his competition, but some team will gamble in the late rounds to see if he can be an NFL player.
Remember, these are guys that, for one reason or another, have piqued the interest of the Cardinals front office. Most, if not all, will probably not be drafted or even selected as UFDAs. Justin Bethel and Micheal Floyd were pre draft visitors in recent years and were selected, but Matt Barkley, Mike Glennon, Dion Jordan and Jonathan Cyprien were also in on workouts and were not.
It may be more telling with the positions the team is looking at in the early application process - CB, DE/TE, OL and KR/RB, because when you want to build a team through the draft -as Keim has stated- you can't afford to fire all bullets of Bruce Arian's six shooter and have nothing to show for it.