FanPost

A Gutsy Move By The Arizona Cardinals




Your the GM; What is your gutsy move in the upcoming draft ?

Steve Keim and Co. showed us last year that they had the balls to go against the grain and not only draft a guard in the top 10, ( unheard of ), but also draft what most believed was the 2nd best guard in the draft. They drafted Jonathan Cooper over Chance Warmack in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, with the 7th overall pick. They also showed us a little draft savvy in the 2nd round trading back to select Kevin Minter, who was one of 3 similarly rated inside linebackers. The trade netted a 4th round pick in Earl Watford who they are counting on winning the starting right guard spot in 2014 and playing a big role on the offensive line.

What was a relatively weak 2013 NFL draft class; is not so in 2014.

There were only a handful of players drafted in 2013 that had any real impact on they're squad in the first year. Most of those were drafted outside the top 10. Guys like Eric Fisher, Luke Joekel, Lane Johnson, Barkevious Mingo, Dion Jordan, Enzeki Ansah, Johnathan Cooper, Tavon Austin and Chance Warmack barely made an impact for varying reasons. Injuries and rawness were the main reasons. Chance Warmack was probably the most developed prospect in that group that didn't suffer an injury. Subsequently, he was probably the most impactful of that group. Finally, in 2013, there weren't any year 1 elite players and only a single round 1 worthy quarterback; EJ Manuel.

The 2014 NFL draft holds a different fate. There are at least 4 'elite' players in this upcoming NFL draft; near guarantees. While I don't believe there are any guarantees in any draft; guys like Sammy Watkins, Kalil Mack, Greg Robinson, and Jadaveon Clowney are as close to a guarantee as you are going to get. There are also several 1st round caliber quarterbacks; quarterbacks who can quite possibly become a teams franchise quarterback. The consensus first round quarterbacks are Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Derek Carr. I also believe AJ McCarron is a borderline 1st round talent who is not getting the notoriety of the others. Another difference in this draft is that there are a number of year 1 impact players that will be available at selections all the way into the late 20's; maybe all the way to pick 32.

As noted before, the Cardinals have done a great job in free agency and in last years draft repairing and preparing the team for a 2014 playoff push, prior to the 2014 NFL draft.

What is expected to be a much improved team, the Cardinals are heading into the 2014 NFL draft with a large amount of flexibility and small amount of needs. This will allow the Cardinals the ability to go any direction with any pick and not force a pick based on need. This will allow the Cardinals to keep one eye on the future as well as the present. The Cardinals want to find a future quarterback along with a group of players or player to help the team challenge for a Super Bowl . If that's the goal, it's entirely attainable in this years draft. It will take some savvy work on their part first.

Drafting 20th overall and having only 6 picks due to the Carson Palmer trade in 2013; it may seem like a daunting task to accomplish the goals of finding a future QB and the player or players they need to complete the build of a Super Bowl caliber team. It is a daunting task but as mentioned earlier, the Cardinals are positioned well to do it. They only need to execute it with sniper like precision. There is no reason it cannot be done given the depth of the draft, this years QB class and the draft savvy that has been on display in Steve Keim's tenure. A little luck and some willing trade partners will go a long way as well.

The Cardinals can stick at pick 20 and find a starting caliber year 1 impact player or possibly a slipping QB that has franchise potential. They can make a radical move to try and land an elite player or they can move around and try to get more picks.

My Gutsy move:

I trade with Oakland.....

The Cardinals give Oakland their 2014 1st ,2nd ,3rd , 5th and 6th round picks plus a 2015 3rd round pick for Oakland's 2014 1st and 2nd round picks.

I select Kalil Mack, AJ McCarron and Amahd Dixson with Oakland's 1st and 2nd and Cardinals 4th.

Let's play the GM game. Is this trade worth it ? What gutsy trade do you propose ?

<em>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.</em>