Dedicating a thread to looking at the draft via the roster

[Chopper0080]

Just a question, does anyone think the plan might be to move Zaven back to MLB. Personally I think he played better there.

I don't. They tried Zaven at EDGE after they gave him a look at ILB. He doesn't have the quick twitch and reaction for it.

 

[Chopper0080]

Higgins is a strong TE3, I don’t want to spend draft capital upgrading that spot. TE4…whatever maybe there’s a better UDFA.

A very underrated athlete at TE3 and is cheap. Not sure how much you can upgrade there and have it be worth the cost.

 

[kerouac9]

I don't think they will carry 3 and QBs can take time. I would argue it is more of a statement on the quality of this QB draft class.

Or they just want to have a ready list at hand if anything happens to Kyler or Brissett.

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

I don't. They tried Zaven at EDGE after they gave him a look at ILB. He doesn't have the quick twitch and reaction for it.

I’m in no way making an argument that Collins is going to make it as some revamped savant at the ILB position. When you look at our roster at ILB behind Mack (who is decent, not great)- it’s abysmal. It wouldn’t be a position of strength - but Collins is better than those guys, has experience in the scheme, and I’m hoping is going to be buried at 4th on the depth chart for our edges after the draft - I’d say the way the roster stands right now- use him

 

[kerouac9]

I’m in no way making an argument that Collins is going to make it as some revamped savant at the ILB position. When you look at our roster at ILB behind Mack (who is decent, not great)- it’s abysmal. It wouldn’t be a position of strength - but Collins is better than those guys, has experience in the scheme, and I’m hoping is going to be buried at 4th on the depth chart for our edges after the draft - I’d say the way the roster stands right now- use him

Citation needed

 

[QuebecCard]

I’m in no way making an argument that Collins is going to make it as some revamped savant at the ILB position. When you look at our roster at ILB behind Mack (who is decent, not great)- it’s abysmal. It wouldn’t be a position of strength - but Collins is better than those guys, has experience in the scheme, and I’m hoping is going to be buried at 4th on the depth chart for our edges after the draft - I’d say the way the roster stands right now- use him

On game day, there will be a rotation of four OLBS, and Zaven will likely be used primarily on run downs.

And, arguably, our group of ILBS is no worse than last season, and given the Akeem Davis-Gaither contract (2 yr-$10m), it seems that Ossi/Gannon and co. believe he's an upgrade over Kyzir White.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

And, arguably, our group of ILBS is no worse than last season, and given the Akeem Davis-Gaither contract (2 yr-$10m), it seems that Ossi/Gannon and co. believe he's an upgrade over Kyzir White.

That remains to be seen

 

[Cardiac]

On game day, there will be a rotation of four OLBS, and Zaven will likely be used primarily on run downs.

And, arguably, our group of ILBS is no worse than last season, and given the Akeem Davis-Gaither contract (2 yr-$10m), it seems that Ossi/Gannon and co. believe he's an upgrade over Kyzir White.

I agree and believe that the focus on the Dline and edge shows that they are not as concerned about milbers. They want speed more than run stuffers because the Dline will keep the opponents oline busy.

 

[QuebecCard]

That remains to be seen

Ergo, the use of 'arguably.'

 

[Chopper0080]

Following my own logic of only adding top talent in filled rooms would change the CB.

If one of the top CBs drop in the 1st or 2nd I would consider it, otherwise I would not draft one at all. The CB has great depth already. No need to add depth in the later rounds.

I get this but feel that the only CB really vulnerable is Clark. I don't love SMB but I don't think he is awful. Also adding a high draft pick CB just limits the ability for other young CBs to get reps. This perspective is helped by not being very high on Will Johnson.

 

[Chopper0080]

I’m in no way making an argument that Collins is going to make it as some revamped savant at the ILB position. When you look at our roster at ILB behind Mack (who is decent, not great)- it’s abysmal. It wouldn’t be a position of strength - but Collins is better than those guys, has experience in the scheme, and I’m hoping is going to be buried at 4th on the depth chart for our edges after the draft - I’d say the way the roster stands right now- use him

A better athlete? I think you can make an argument. A better ILB...I don't know that. A lot of coaches put more emphasis on the read and react ability of ILBs over straight athleticism. I think this is where Zaven struggles inside and why Gannon moved him to the EDGE.

 

[Stout]

I’m in no way making an argument that Collins is going to make it as some revamped savant at the ILB position. When you look at our roster at ILB behind Mack (who is decent, not great)- it’s abysmal. It wouldn’t be a position of strength - but Collins is better than those guys, has experience in the scheme, and I’m hoping is going to be buried at 4th on the depth chart for our edges after the draft - I’d say the way the roster stands right now- use him

I agree that Monti has left us bereft of the starting talent needed at ILBer on this roster. I disagree that moving ZC inside again would be a good answer.

 

[BACH]

I get this but feel that the only CB really vulnerable is Clark. I don't love SMB but I don't think he is awful. Also adding a high draft pick CB just limits the ability for other young CBs to get reps. This perspective is helped by not being very high on Will Johnson.

That is definitely a point I support.

I think Clark is great - for a 6th CB.

Adding a top CB would be to upgrade SMB and building for the future. With hopefully Melton and Jones developing, Williams already a top slot, an elite CB would basicly secure a top 5 CB room for the next 3 season (if we see the development expected of course). Not my preference, but have no problem with it either.

 

[PDXChris]

WR

Marvin Harrison Jr
Michael Wilson
Zay Jones
Simi Fehoko
Quez Watkins
Xavier Weaver
Tehaun Palmer
EDIT Greg Dortch

Lots of options to upgrade here throughout the draft IMO. Pretty much every round 1-5 would offer an option if AZ liked a guy. I would argue that we will likely see a WR drafted in rounds 1-5 this year.

This sounds like they want to upgrade here for sure.

"Speed always brings a different dynamic but overall it has to fit into the construct of the offense," GM Monti Ossenfort said at the recent NFL owners meetings. "Sometimes some of those speed receivers, they don't check off all those boxes. Speed is great, no question. But it can't just be speed. It can't just be a one-trick pony."

The Cardinals do have players on the roster that can play the role. Xavier Weaver made the roster as an undrafted rookie last season, although he was only active for a couple of games. Greg Dortch hasn't really been used much as a deep threat, even if he could. Former Eagles receiver Quez Watkins was signed in part for his downfield possibilities.

Suggesting Marvin Harrison Jr. or Michael Wilson wouldn't or won't be used downfield isn't factual either, although their straight-line speed isn't high on their resumé. What is, however, is many other things important to Gannon and the coaching staff.

Need For Speed? Maybe, But Cardinals Seek Well-Rounded Wide Receivers

 

[PDXChris]

I’m in no way making an argument that Collins is going to make it as some revamped savant at the ILB position. When you look at our roster at ILB behind Mack (who is decent, not great)- it’s abysmal. It wouldn’t be a position of strength - but Collins is better than those guys, has experience in the scheme, and I’m hoping is going to be buried at 4th on the depth chart for our edges after the draft - I’d say the way the roster stands right now- use him

Collins doesn't fit the type of players they want at ILB. Wilson is the biggest and still smaller than Collins. Collings is what he is now, a rotational OLB who plays better against the run. If this were an old school 46 defense, Collins might make a decent MLB, but that style doesn't really exist anymore.

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[MadCardDisease]

This sounds like they want to upgrade here for sure.

Need For Speed? Maybe, But Cardinals Seek Well-Rounded Wide Receivers

Yes, this is why I don't see the Cardinals drafting a WR in the first round. I don't believe that there is a sure fire 1st round WR that fits this profile except for maybe Emeka Embuka who is a solid route runner but I don't think his athleticism warrants a 1st round selection at #16 overall.

That is why I think the Cardinals selecting a WR is much more likely in the middle rounds. Here are some guys who excel at getting open that I think the Cardinals might consider in those middle rounds 2-6:

Jaylen Royals
Jack Bech
Tai Felton
Tez Johnson
Xavier Restrepo
Kyle Williams

 

[PDXChris]

NFL.com did a condensed version of this. It looks like you nailed!

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2025 NFL Draft IQ | Powered by Amazon QuickSight

 

[Stout]

Would investing a pick on the Michigan QB be worth a roll of the dice?

What Michigan QB? Honest question. All I heard out of Michigan this year was how their QBs could only throw for like 70 or so yards in a game. Who am I missing?

 

[CardNots]

What Michigan QB? Honest question. All I heard out of Michigan this year was how their QBs could only throw for like 70 or so yards in a game. Who am I missing?

I thought i had read an article about a Michigan QB. Could have been an article from last year’s draft as I should have checked the date of the article. My bad

 

[BritCard]

This group is so bad. I don't think we'll invest to push everyone down the roster a spot, but you'd actually feel good about that. Michael Wilson hasn't really needed to compete for anything to-date. Would love to add a second-round guy.

I'd really like to add a deep threat, someone like Tony Horton, and a vet, someone like Tyler Lockett. This room could be vastly improved for not much money.

 

[BritCard]

EDGE

Josh Sweat
Baron Browning
Zaven Collins
BJ Ojulari
Xavier Thomas

I think this room is more wide open than it seems at first glance. Sweat is obviously safe but the rest are worth a convo.

Browning and Collins are both very one dimensional players which makes them easier to upgrade with player who has skills to play the run and rush the passer. I don't think a drafted player will bump them off the roster in 2025, but I can see players in rounds 1-3 (maybe 4) who could bump them down the rotation.

Ojulari and Thomas are both players Monti has invested draft capital into but as we have seen at CB, that doesn't prevent him from invest more picks at the position. I could easily see both of these players getting bumped off the roster if the Cardinals decided to invest multiple top 100 picks at EDGE. I don't think they will, but surely a possibility. Rounds 1-5 with these two.

They just resigned both Zaven and Browning though, they did that because they like them and knowing this draft class. I think zero chance either is moved.

XT is the only possible for me but had 2.5 sacks in 200 snaps, so not likely.

Biggest chance to add for me is that they keep 6 and reduce elsewhere. Drafting a WR that can KR and cutting DeeJay for example.

 

[BritCard]

S

Budda Baker
Jalen Thompson
DTD
Joey Blount

I think the only way Monti drafts a S is if he wants to keep 5 or trades Jalen Thompson. I don't think either of those will happen so I don't believe S is worth a look.

This is what I thought but then they had meetings with about 4 safeties projected to go from the 3rd to 5th.

 

[BritCard]

I don't think they will carry 3 and QBs can take time. I would argue it is more of a statement on the quality of this QB draft class.

Tune is an easy PS stash too. Nobody is picking him up.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Would investing a pick on the Michigan QB be worth a roll of the dice?

If we go QB at any time I like Jaxson Dart

Need a young guy with an arm and size for when KM fizzles out again

 

[Chopper0080]

They just resigned both Zaven and Browning though, they did that because they like them and knowing this draft class. I think zero chance either is moved.

XT is the only possible for me but had 2.5 sacks in 200 snaps, so not likely.

Biggest chance to add for me is that they keep 6 and reduce elsewhere. Drafting a WR that can KR and cutting DeeJay for example.

I think Collins and Browning are one dimensional players who stick on the roster but can be bumped down the depth chart very easily. Ojulari and X Thomas are players whose production to this point is extremely replaceable if the Cardinals find a guy they like. Maybe they do keep 6, but camp would determine that more than what either of these two players have shown on the field.