Off-Season Plan for the Arizona Cardinals V.1 (Pre-Combine)

Pre-Draft Moves:

UFA Signings:

* QB Tyrod Taylor (Bills)---mobile veteran QB with an impressive TD/int ratio of 51/18 and career QBR of 91.2.

* LG Andrew Norwell (Panthers)---prize bell cow G arrives thank to Steve Wilks and Ray Brown.

* C/G Matt Slausen (Chargers)---a favorite of McCoy’s---could start at C or G.

* WR Taylor Gabriel (Falcons)---speedy, can take short passes to the house.

* WR Brice Butler (Cowboys)---good in the clutch, ready to shine as a starter.

* TE Antonio Gates (Chargers)---knows McCoy’s offense, says he still “has juice” and can mentor Ricky Seals-Jones.

* DE Kareem Martin (Cardinals)---good run stuffer as 43 DE, needs to improve pass rush.

* LB Zach Brown (Redskins)---he is the tough and energetic mike LB we need.

* LB Josh Bynes (Cardinals)---can challenge for playing time outside and in.

* CB Bashaud Breeland (Redskins)---big, physical CB in Wilks’ mode

2018 NFL Draft

1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville---lightning in a bottle, big arm, needs to shorten his delivery, very coachable and super tough, leaves everything he’s got on the field.

2. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise St.---has Luke Kuechly type traits as MLB, good length, downhill tackler, covers the seams with long wingspan, good blitzer.

3. Quin Blanding, FS, Virginia---has size, range and open field tackling ability, can match up with TEs.

3. Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa---highly elusive, hard to tackle, excellent feet, inside out moves, hands, return man.

4. Dimitri Flowers, FB, Oklahoma---best FB in this draft. Plays with power, can run, block with authority and can catch. Can be used at TE, if needed.

5. Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Central Florida---strong, runs crisp routes, highly competitive playmaker.

7. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio St.---leader, winner, can be #3 QB and eventually the #2, can play Russell Wilson on the scout team. May also contribute on STs and at RB/WR.

UDFA’s

* Jack Cichy, LB, Wisconsin

* Poona Ford, DT, Texas

* Deatrick Nichols, CB, South Florida

* Steve Ishmael, WR, Syracuse

* Ethan Wolf, TE, Tennessee

* Andrew Nelson, T/G, Penn St.

* Matt Anderson, K, California

* Bennett Paris, LB, Syracuse

* Jamar Summers, S, Connecticut

* Dane Cruikshank, CB, Arizona

To my fellow Cardinals’ fans: Do you like any of the moves and choices in this plan? What changes would you make?