1 - Every year I find it fascinating, and kind of ignorant (I guess the difference can be thin), how many fans judge a pick by what Daniel Jeremiah’s and Mel Kiper’s general boards say about the player. I will probably never understand that way of evaluating. Be honest – how many of you have taken the time to study the Cards’ schemes, the decisions maker’s preferred player types and draft history, the player’s characteristics in regard to a specific role?
2 – Anyway, four of the five picks made very good sense to me. Actually, other than RB, I addressed all the same positions in my mock draft and had four of the players in consideration as various picks. Sure, I would have taken them at other spots in the game, but what do I know? I am not in on all the interviews pre-draft, and I am also not a professional scout. If I am off by a round or two, that certainly doesn’t keep me awake at night.
3 – I am excited about Max Melton. I did not consider him in the mock draft, just because I thought there were better options. In fact, I was very happy when Kool-Aid McKinstry was still on the board as #43 approached, and bummed when he got taken right in front of the Cards. It made me a little skeptic when they picked Melton, as I saw it as a so-so consolation prize. Having said that, he does have many of the characteristics of the CB’s Gannon previously have worked with as both a CB coach and as a DC. He is not quite as big as them, but plays aggressive, great in press-man, skilled cover 2-cornerback. I would be surprised if he is not a bigtime contributor at seasons end.
4 – When Drew Petzing went to sleep on Thursday, he must have dreamt about a third round like that. His scheme is all about making the defense confused about what will happen, if it will be a pass or run. Trey Benson can both run, catch and pass protect. I did not address RB in my mock draft, and I regretted it just a few days later for this very reason. Petzing’s offense also very often utilize two – sometimes even three – tight ends or H-backs, so it was always a good guess that they would draft one, and after Ben Sinnott went off the board, Reiman was the logical target. Adams is a great fit at left guard.
Those three are all very, very solid picks that fits the scheme perfectly. This is how you build a good team.
5 - For at least a month I wanted to like Elijah Jones more than I did. At some point his natural physics and playing abilities would be worth taking a chance on, but he has a very lean frame, and I just always saw him not playing physical enough. Especially in a scenario where Adisa Isaac (edge rusher), Jalex Hunt (edge rusher), and even safety Kamren Kinchens, was still on the board, I think that Jones was a strange pick.
6 – Trey Benson is a meh-pick. He fits the offensive scheme well, and he a little different than both Connor and Carter, and thus a good complement. I just don’t know how much they needed a new runningback, and especially picked that high. I understand the thinking, though.
7 – Imagine if they pick Mo Kamara with the fourth pick today. Kamara in the fourth round? Are you kidding me? That would be a fantastic start to day three.
8 – I would be fine if they went all defense today. Maybe with a WR thrown in there.
9 – If you accept my premise that they could use a legit deep threat WR, look for Troy Franklin, Oregon, and Tez Walker, North Carolina. They can absolutely fly.
10 – I think that edge rusher is by far the biggest need going into today, and I would take at least two. Who is left that fit the scheme? Sure, Kamara, but who else? Jaylen Harrell, Michigan. Bo Richter, Air Force. Gabriel Murphy, UCLA. I am a big Austin Booker-fan, but he is more of a very high-upside prospects than a good specific fit. So, they are out there. None of them are perfect at all, but you are not going to find perfect prospects on day three.
2 – Anyway, four of the five picks made very good sense to me. Actually, other than RB, I addressed all the same positions in my mock draft and had four of the players in consideration as various picks. Sure, I would have taken them at other spots in the game, but what do I know? I am not in on all the interviews pre-draft, and I am also not a professional scout. If I am off by a round or two, that certainly doesn’t keep me awake at night.
3 – I am excited about Max Melton. I did not consider him in the mock draft, just because I thought there were better options. In fact, I was very happy when Kool-Aid McKinstry was still on the board as #43 approached, and bummed when he got taken right in front of the Cards. It made me a little skeptic when they picked Melton, as I saw it as a so-so consolation prize. Having said that, he does have many of the characteristics of the CB’s Gannon previously have worked with as both a CB coach and as a DC. He is not quite as big as them, but plays aggressive, great in press-man, skilled cover 2-cornerback. I would be surprised if he is not a bigtime contributor at seasons end.
4 – When Drew Petzing went to sleep on Thursday, he must have dreamt about a third round like that. His scheme is all about making the defense confused about what will happen, if it will be a pass or run. Trey Benson can both run, catch and pass protect. I did not address RB in my mock draft, and I regretted it just a few days later for this very reason. Petzing’s offense also very often utilize two – sometimes even three – tight ends or H-backs, so it was always a good guess that they would draft one, and after Ben Sinnott went off the board, Reiman was the logical target. Adams is a great fit at left guard.
Those three are all very, very solid picks that fits the scheme perfectly. This is how you build a good team.
5 - For at least a month I wanted to like Elijah Jones more than I did. At some point his natural physics and playing abilities would be worth taking a chance on, but he has a very lean frame, and I just always saw him not playing physical enough. Especially in a scenario where Adisa Isaac (edge rusher), Jalex Hunt (edge rusher), and even safety Kamren Kinchens, was still on the board, I think that Jones was a strange pick.
6 – Trey Benson is a meh-pick. He fits the offensive scheme well, and he a little different than both Connor and Carter, and thus a good complement. I just don’t know how much they needed a new runningback, and especially picked that high. I understand the thinking, though.
7 – Imagine if they pick Mo Kamara with the fourth pick today. Kamara in the fourth round? Are you kidding me? That would be a fantastic start to day three.
8 – I would be fine if they went all defense today. Maybe with a WR thrown in there.
9 – If you accept my premise that they could use a legit deep threat WR, look for Troy Franklin, Oregon, and Tez Walker, North Carolina. They can absolutely fly.
10 – I think that edge rusher is by far the biggest need going into today, and I would take at least two. Who is left that fit the scheme? Sure, Kamara, but who else? Jaylen Harrell, Michigan. Bo Richter, Air Force. Gabriel Murphy, UCLA. I am a big Austin Booker-fan, but he is more of a very high-upside prospects than a good specific fit. So, they are out there. None of them are perfect at all, but you are not going to find perfect prospects on day three.
