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The Arizona Cardinals concluded their picks in the NFL Draft. They made seven picks in six rounds, having acquired one extra pick in a first round trade. They did not have a pick in the seventh round because it was sen to the Raiders as part of the trade for Carson Palmer.
Who are these players and what will be their expected role in 2014?
Round 1, Deone Bucannon:
Bucannon is a 6-1, 211 pound safety out of Washington State. He is fast. He is a hitter and has huge upside, He is expected to compete immediately for the starting strong safety position.
Round 2, Troy Niklas:
Niklas is a 6-61/2, 270 pound tight end out of Notre Dame. He is considered to be a very, very good in-line blocker. He is athletic and can catch the ball. He will be very good in the short and intermediate game, but can make plays down the field. He is expected to compete for a starting job immediately.
Round 3, Kareem Martin:
Martin is a 6-6, 272 pound defensive end out of North Carolina. The team intends on playing him at outside linebacker, a guy that will get to the quarterback, but may also use him on the defensive line in some sub packages. He is going to be a rotational player to start.
Round 3, John Brown:
Brown is a a 5-11, 170 pound receiver with crazy speed, running a 4.34-second 40 at the Combine. He is expected to be the T.Y. Hilton of the Cardinals. He will not be a starter, but will get time in the slot, competing for playing time with Ted Ginn. He can also compete in the return game and is expected to play on special teams.
Round 4, Logan Thomas:
Thomas is 6-5 quarterback out of Virginia Tech, who was originally a tight end in college. He is a developmental quarterback, a guy that the team believes has what it takes to become the team's starting quarterback of the future. He will compete with Ryan Lindley for the third quarterback spot on the roster.
Round 5, Ed Stinson:
Stinson is a 6-3, 287 pound defensive lineman out of Alabama. He is strong and versatile. He can play anywhere along the defensive line. He will be a depth player on the line and should be strong against the run and as an anchor. He is not a guy that will produce a bunch of stats.
Round 6, Walt Powell:
Powell is a 5-11, 208 pound receiver. He was not overly fast at the NFL Combine, running a 4.6-second 40, but had a foot issue. He ran a 4.44 at his Pro Day. He will battle Jaron Brown for the fifth and final receiver spot on the roster and will mostly be a special teams contributor if he can make the roster.
