For the first time in like seven or eight years I did not participate in an online draft, so I cannot do a writeup on it this year. Instead, I thought I would post some thoughts about the draft.
1 – In the first round, unless cornerbacks Patrick Surtain, Alabama or Jaycee Horn, South Carolina is there, I am trying like crazy to trade back and collect more draft picks.
By the way, according to most pundits, it is likely that five quarterbacks, four pass catchers, and two offensive linemen are selected within the first 16 picks. Then comes the “fact” that some teams don’t need a cornerback.
Case in point: it is not that inconceivable that Surtain or Horn will last to the #16 pick.
2 – I like the offensive line right now. From left to right, Humphries, Pugh, Hudson, maybe Josh Jones, Beachum is good with me. But, if they see the second coming of Steve Hutchinson or Joe Thomas on the board, by all means, don’t let the current lineup stop them from selecting him.
3 – I don’t think they are able to find better players than Rodney Hudson (third round), DeAndre Hopkins (fourth round) and Markus Golden (sixth round), but that doesn’t exclude that I am bummed that they miss those picks. I like the draft a lot and it excites me when the Cards’ pick is coming up, no matter if it the first round or the seventh.
4 – Many fans seemingly want that Keim trades back without remembering that it is not just up to him. You do in fact need a trade partner.
5 – Fortunately, especially the wide receiver- and cornerback classes are very deep this year.
6 – I hope we can agree that just because the Cards select, let’s say, the third wide receiver off the board it doesn’t necessarily mean he was the third best wide receiver on their board. Mel Kiper or Daniel Jeremiah or any other media-guy does in fact not design the Cards’ draft board. Do we have an agreement?
7 – It is very hard to justify selecting an injury troubled player in the first round, but have you seen cornerback Caleb Farley out of Virginia Tech? My God, that guy has potential. If healthy, he is a potential cornerstone for the next many years. Talk about a lottery pick.
8 – I have been following the draft fairly closely for 12 years and I don’t remember having ever noticed more disagreements among draftniks, be it professional or amateur. It is most likely because of the unusual situation due to Corona, but I think there will be several surprises on draft weekend.
9 – I don’t think a runningback is ever worthy of a high selection, so who are you picking in the late rounds? I really like Chris Evans out of Michigan, and when it is all said and done, I am not sure he stays on the board until the sixth- or seventh round.
Kene Nwangwu out of Iowa State is my super sleeper, and interestingly enough, after his Pro Day some guys from a team called the Arizona Cardinals requested to do extra special teams workout with Nwangwu, and interviewed him after the session.
P.S. I can’t pronounce his name either, so don’t feel bad.
10 – Just remember that 32 fanbases think negatively about their general manager. Don’t worry. It is not just your team “he” screws up for. Huge parts of 32 fanbases seemingly think their team is doomed after draft night.
11 – I have always liked and feared the few seconds where Goodell or another announcer says “with the X pick the Arizona Cardinals selects…” Many hours of preparation (watching video clips, reading articles, studying statistic and data, trying to structure your thoughts) culminates in those three or five seconds, and you have absolutely no impact on the result. It is pretty intense.
12 – Drafting for the best player available is a myth and have been for many years. Every single team draft for need. Kingsbury and Keim will both tell you something else, but don’t believe them. For your own health.
13 – Certainly they could use more talent at tight end, but I don’t think it is a big need. They can scheme around that. It is not that important. Hell, with how they used Dan Arnold last year, they could use Fitzgerald the same way if they wanted. (Yeah, I went there. Sorry about that.)
14 – I don’t really understand the “you can’t judge the draft until three years from now”-mantra. Of course you can. It just depends on the perspective. If you base your judgement on if the players are good in the NFL, then obviously no, but if you judge by how your thought was when you approached the draft, then obviously yes.
15 –
Round 1 – Jaycee Horn, cornerback, South Carolina
My top ranked cornerback and, in my opinion, also the best cornerback fit for the Cards. Nuff said.
Round 2 – Elijah Moore, pass catcher, Ole Miss.
I am taking this guy over any pass catcher not named Pitts, Chase, Smith (well, not really since there are probably 100 Smith’s) and Waddle, but someone will slide down the board. And who cares about Moore’s size when no one can catch him anyway.
Round 5 – Jack Anderson, offensive guard, Texas Tech
I like to draft at least one offensive lineman each year, and why not select the guy that Kingsbury himself recruited specially to fit his offense and who became a key player on that offensive line-unit?
Round 6 – Chris Evans, runningback, Michigan
This would probably be my favorite pick of the draft.
Round 7 – Jonathon Cooper, edge rusher, Ohio State
I understand that we are all traumatized by the last adventure with a player named Jonathan Cooper, but I do think this version is a good fit for Joseph’s defense, that he has some upside, and thus that he is a good developmental prospect.
Round 7 – Avery Williams, cornerback, Boise State.
He probably can’t play defense in the NFL, but…
Special team stats through four seasons:
Nine touchdowns, including five punt returns, three kick returns and a blocked punt. Five blocked kicks (three punt, one field goal, one extra point). One forced a fumble while on kickoff coverage.
Happy draft, everybody!
1 – In the first round, unless cornerbacks Patrick Surtain, Alabama or Jaycee Horn, South Carolina is there, I am trying like crazy to trade back and collect more draft picks.
By the way, according to most pundits, it is likely that five quarterbacks, four pass catchers, and two offensive linemen are selected within the first 16 picks. Then comes the “fact” that some teams don’t need a cornerback.
Case in point: it is not that inconceivable that Surtain or Horn will last to the #16 pick.
2 – I like the offensive line right now. From left to right, Humphries, Pugh, Hudson, maybe Josh Jones, Beachum is good with me. But, if they see the second coming of Steve Hutchinson or Joe Thomas on the board, by all means, don’t let the current lineup stop them from selecting him.
3 – I don’t think they are able to find better players than Rodney Hudson (third round), DeAndre Hopkins (fourth round) and Markus Golden (sixth round), but that doesn’t exclude that I am bummed that they miss those picks. I like the draft a lot and it excites me when the Cards’ pick is coming up, no matter if it the first round or the seventh.
4 – Many fans seemingly want that Keim trades back without remembering that it is not just up to him. You do in fact need a trade partner.
5 – Fortunately, especially the wide receiver- and cornerback classes are very deep this year.
6 – I hope we can agree that just because the Cards select, let’s say, the third wide receiver off the board it doesn’t necessarily mean he was the third best wide receiver on their board. Mel Kiper or Daniel Jeremiah or any other media-guy does in fact not design the Cards’ draft board. Do we have an agreement?
7 – It is very hard to justify selecting an injury troubled player in the first round, but have you seen cornerback Caleb Farley out of Virginia Tech? My God, that guy has potential. If healthy, he is a potential cornerstone for the next many years. Talk about a lottery pick.
8 – I have been following the draft fairly closely for 12 years and I don’t remember having ever noticed more disagreements among draftniks, be it professional or amateur. It is most likely because of the unusual situation due to Corona, but I think there will be several surprises on draft weekend.
9 – I don’t think a runningback is ever worthy of a high selection, so who are you picking in the late rounds? I really like Chris Evans out of Michigan, and when it is all said and done, I am not sure he stays on the board until the sixth- or seventh round.
Kene Nwangwu out of Iowa State is my super sleeper, and interestingly enough, after his Pro Day some guys from a team called the Arizona Cardinals requested to do extra special teams workout with Nwangwu, and interviewed him after the session.
P.S. I can’t pronounce his name either, so don’t feel bad.
10 – Just remember that 32 fanbases think negatively about their general manager. Don’t worry. It is not just your team “he” screws up for. Huge parts of 32 fanbases seemingly think their team is doomed after draft night.
11 – I have always liked and feared the few seconds where Goodell or another announcer says “with the X pick the Arizona Cardinals selects…” Many hours of preparation (watching video clips, reading articles, studying statistic and data, trying to structure your thoughts) culminates in those three or five seconds, and you have absolutely no impact on the result. It is pretty intense.
12 – Drafting for the best player available is a myth and have been for many years. Every single team draft for need. Kingsbury and Keim will both tell you something else, but don’t believe them. For your own health.
13 – Certainly they could use more talent at tight end, but I don’t think it is a big need. They can scheme around that. It is not that important. Hell, with how they used Dan Arnold last year, they could use Fitzgerald the same way if they wanted. (Yeah, I went there. Sorry about that.)
14 – I don’t really understand the “you can’t judge the draft until three years from now”-mantra. Of course you can. It just depends on the perspective. If you base your judgement on if the players are good in the NFL, then obviously no, but if you judge by how your thought was when you approached the draft, then obviously yes.
15 –
Round 1 – Jaycee Horn, cornerback, South Carolina
My top ranked cornerback and, in my opinion, also the best cornerback fit for the Cards. Nuff said.
Round 2 – Elijah Moore, pass catcher, Ole Miss.
I am taking this guy over any pass catcher not named Pitts, Chase, Smith (well, not really since there are probably 100 Smith’s) and Waddle, but someone will slide down the board. And who cares about Moore’s size when no one can catch him anyway.
Round 5 – Jack Anderson, offensive guard, Texas Tech
I like to draft at least one offensive lineman each year, and why not select the guy that Kingsbury himself recruited specially to fit his offense and who became a key player on that offensive line-unit?
Round 6 – Chris Evans, runningback, Michigan
This would probably be my favorite pick of the draft.
Round 7 – Jonathon Cooper, edge rusher, Ohio State
I understand that we are all traumatized by the last adventure with a player named Jonathan Cooper, but I do think this version is a good fit for Joseph’s defense, that he has some upside, and thus that he is a good developmental prospect.
Round 7 – Avery Williams, cornerback, Boise State.
He probably can’t play defense in the NFL, but…
Special team stats through four seasons:
Nine touchdowns, including five punt returns, three kick returns and a blocked punt. Five blocked kicks (three punt, one field goal, one extra point). One forced a fumble while on kickoff coverage.
Happy draft, everybody!
