RugbyMuffin
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The 1st round is done, and while the Cardinals only had one pick for all the pomp and pageantry it was a good one.
Now for all the Chance Warmack fans like myself, I understand it is not the guy WE wanted, but realize that while Warmack was said to be the best player in the draft, Cooper was said to be as good, if not better. Furthermore, when a medical question came up about Warmack (shoulder) that was the tie breaker for most GM's
But I digress, that is old news.
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Cardinals 1st round Pick:
Jonathan Cooper is one of, if not the best player in the draft, and there is all kinds of information out there backing that up. So, you have to tip the hat to the Cardinals for doing the right thing, and just picking the best guy available.
So what does Cooper do ?
He is a very good pass block, and an amazing blocker in space. He is a technician, and a student of the game. He knows how to use different blocks, and when to use them. He can easily get to the second level with his speed, and out to the edges on screens. The negative about the guy is his power and the point of attack, and that is a VERY VERY fixable thing once you start training at an NFL level.
At worst this year, he will start at right guard, yet the first tell that we picked an extremely good guard is if he starts the season at left guard. For the future you are looking at our starting left guard for a long time, and even when he loses a step or two the Cardinals can keep him to play center, a position that he might just be better at then guard.
That being said, Cooper is a player that takes care of two things day one. He is going to start at one of the guard positions, and is also going to be the back up center, and will free up a roster spot for another offensive lineman of the Cardinals choosing. They can keep two backup guards or tackles now.
Great pick, gets an A+ from me.
Why? Cause it makes the offense better. It helps the offensive line, running game, and passing game.
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The rest of the NFL:
- Dion Jordan to the Dolphins at #3 ? I don't understand that move at all. Jordan is a good prospect but the Dolphins gave up too much for him, IMO.
- Anyone else snicker a little bit when San Diego pick D.J. Fluker ? I don't know about Fluker. He is a right tackle all the way, and it is debatable he is even the 4th best OT. Just saying, it felt like in Whiz's 1st draft with the Charger (where he probably didn't get any say) he ends up, with what can be speculated as, a reach on a tackle in the 1st round.
- The Raiders are no longer "Al Davis' Raiders". Not only did they pull off a savy trade, they announced they would get Chis Hayden to the league before the draft, and then did. Not only that, they got Hayden, and some picks. Good show old boy.
- Head scratching for the 2nd year in a row on the 49'ers pick. A trade up for Eric Reid ? I don't see why.
- For all that they gave up in a really deep draft, I like what the Vikings did for themselves. They still need safety help, IMO. But they got three really good players.
- And finally, the most enjoyable thing to note is apparently Al Davis passed the torch, and his book, "Al Davis' guide to the NFL draft" to Jerry Jones of the Cowboys. Seriously ? Travis Frederick ? Good pick.....nah, really, that was a good pick. But, uh, Jerry ? You going kicker 2nd round ? LOL
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Day 2 of the 2013 Draft for the Cardinals:
One of the best little tidbits of information I read this offseaon, that I buy into, is that in your 1st and 2nd round is where you have the greatest chances to get a player that can make an impact. Meaning he is a productive starter that makes your team better.
Thus I won't really talk about the 3rd round pick, because it is just too much to sort through right now. Some guys are dropping, and the QB class is still filled. EJ Manuel is the only QB off the board. That means there are going to be good prospects available in the 3rd round, and 4th round, and 5th round that just throws everything up in the air.
So, let's instead look at the Cardinals 2nd round pick. They are going to be the 6th pick in the 2nd round.
My top 6 NON-QUARTERBACK players left on the board:
1. Menelik Watson, OT
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/menelik-watson?id=2540206
Guy is a 1st round talent in my mind. He is a great athlete who is raw at the position because he only has been player football a few years. But he has great feet, and moves extremely well. I believe his ceiling is starting LT in the NFL. Not only that, I think he could come in day 1 and challenge for the RG position for the Cardinals. Good size, good feet, good measurables.
2. Alex Okafor, OLB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/alex-okafor?id=2539319
I am a stubborn, stubborn man. Damontre Moore is still available, but Alex Okafor is still my favorite pass rusher/OLB left. Sam Acho has taught me that while an OLBer has to be able to generate a pass rush (cause Acho struggles there) his ability to play all facets of the position are just as important. Alex Okafor is a different type of athlete then, let's say Dion Jordan. Okafor doesn't have the explosiveness, and the all around athleticism, not to mention Okafor will have to transition to OLBer. But, Okafor has his strengths. He has really, really good hands, strong arms, and uses them effectively. His play against the run is very good, and he can rush the passer. Not with so much speed, as with power an technique. Finally, what makes him my #2 pick is he is said to be a student of the game, and a gym rat. Thus I have no issue that he will learn the OLBer position, yet he can play in the nickel package as well as a DE.
3. Damontre Moore, OLB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/damontre-moore?id=2540138
Throw out the underwear olympics. This guy can get after the QB. Explosive first step, and can beat a OT with his quickness. Once pencilled in the top ten but then the combine and "12 reps on the bench press" came along, and down the draft he slid. Moore would be used in a pass rushing situation day 1, but he would be a project to become a good all around linebacker. In a way if the Cardinals picked Moore, he would be looked at as the replacement for O'Brien Schofield next season......or even this season. But, again Moore has to get into NFL shape, and learn the finer points of the game. That and he will be a big liability in the run game at first.
4. Jonathan Cyprien, SS
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/john-cyprien?id=2539223
Another player that could have easily gone in the first round. Vaccaro, and Elam where the two our of the first three safeties off the board, and they should have been. Cyprien was my and many 3rd best safety in this draft, and I think he is a better fit for the Cardinals then Matt Elam would have been. Cyprien is the safety equivalent of Menelik Watson, because he is raw at his position, but has extremely good skill for it. Cyprien is fast, strong, and an aggressive hitter. He may not start right away, but he will be slated to start as soon as possible at strong safety. He would give us the fastest safety we have seen since Antrel Rolle played back there for the Cardinals.
5. Tank Carradine OLB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/cornellius-carradine?id=2539224
6'4", 275lbs. He could have been a 1st round pick but was injured last year in college. Another pass rushing possibility, but could put on weight and play DE as well. Some blurbs our of Cardinals camp is Matt Shaughnessy (6'5" 270lbs) has played some OLBer for the Cardinals in camp, and Carradine would be following that trend. Carradine is powerful yet quick, but very raw. He would be a project but with the potential to justify the pick, and the wait time.
6. Kevin Minter, ILB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/kevin-minter?id=2540159
This is the toughest one out of the six. There are a couple players here that would make sense, but in reality, if the Cardinals got to their 2nd round pick and the 5 players above were gone, then I would think going QB would be best here. But, when it comes to non-QB guys, Minter wins out. It is hard for me to put a guy that will probably be a two down LB in the NFL. That is the only knock I have on Minter, is he is would be a liability in coverage. Outside of that, he is Mr. Clean in the run game. PERFECT, and I mean PERFECT compliment to Daryl Washington on the inside. He plays extremely well between the tackles.
Others:
Larry Warford, OG
Zack Ertz, TE
Margus Hunt, DE
Arthur Brown, ILB
Jamar Taylor, CB <-- surprise pick here, IMO.
Terron Armstead
** As for QB's ? Maybe we can ask Mitch to break them down, cause I just list them as wildcards in this draft, meaning choosing a QB from here on in is more than justifiable, and would be a good pick in my opinion. But, what round, and who it is ? That is anybody's guess right now.
Again, as for the 3rd pick....I am not even going to try. It is completely up in the air right now, with the way some players are falling. Again, with the depth of this draft, and the feel of it, the Cardinals could come away with players in the 3rd and 4th round that can help this team out right away.
Now for all the Chance Warmack fans like myself, I understand it is not the guy WE wanted, but realize that while Warmack was said to be the best player in the draft, Cooper was said to be as good, if not better. Furthermore, when a medical question came up about Warmack (shoulder) that was the tie breaker for most GM's
But I digress, that is old news.
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Cardinals 1st round Pick:
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Jonathan Cooper is one of, if not the best player in the draft, and there is all kinds of information out there backing that up. So, you have to tip the hat to the Cardinals for doing the right thing, and just picking the best guy available.
So what does Cooper do ?
He is a very good pass block, and an amazing blocker in space. He is a technician, and a student of the game. He knows how to use different blocks, and when to use them. He can easily get to the second level with his speed, and out to the edges on screens. The negative about the guy is his power and the point of attack, and that is a VERY VERY fixable thing once you start training at an NFL level.
At worst this year, he will start at right guard, yet the first tell that we picked an extremely good guard is if he starts the season at left guard. For the future you are looking at our starting left guard for a long time, and even when he loses a step or two the Cardinals can keep him to play center, a position that he might just be better at then guard.
That being said, Cooper is a player that takes care of two things day one. He is going to start at one of the guard positions, and is also going to be the back up center, and will free up a roster spot for another offensive lineman of the Cardinals choosing. They can keep two backup guards or tackles now.
Great pick, gets an A+ from me.
Why? Cause it makes the offense better. It helps the offensive line, running game, and passing game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rest of the NFL:
- Dion Jordan to the Dolphins at #3 ? I don't understand that move at all. Jordan is a good prospect but the Dolphins gave up too much for him, IMO.
- Anyone else snicker a little bit when San Diego pick D.J. Fluker ? I don't know about Fluker. He is a right tackle all the way, and it is debatable he is even the 4th best OT. Just saying, it felt like in Whiz's 1st draft with the Charger (where he probably didn't get any say) he ends up, with what can be speculated as, a reach on a tackle in the 1st round.
- The Raiders are no longer "Al Davis' Raiders". Not only did they pull off a savy trade, they announced they would get Chis Hayden to the league before the draft, and then did. Not only that, they got Hayden, and some picks. Good show old boy.
- Head scratching for the 2nd year in a row on the 49'ers pick. A trade up for Eric Reid ? I don't see why.
- For all that they gave up in a really deep draft, I like what the Vikings did for themselves. They still need safety help, IMO. But they got three really good players.
- And finally, the most enjoyable thing to note is apparently Al Davis passed the torch, and his book, "Al Davis' guide to the NFL draft" to Jerry Jones of the Cowboys. Seriously ? Travis Frederick ? Good pick.....nah, really, that was a good pick. But, uh, Jerry ? You going kicker 2nd round ? LOL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2 of the 2013 Draft for the Cardinals:
One of the best little tidbits of information I read this offseaon, that I buy into, is that in your 1st and 2nd round is where you have the greatest chances to get a player that can make an impact. Meaning he is a productive starter that makes your team better.
Thus I won't really talk about the 3rd round pick, because it is just too much to sort through right now. Some guys are dropping, and the QB class is still filled. EJ Manuel is the only QB off the board. That means there are going to be good prospects available in the 3rd round, and 4th round, and 5th round that just throws everything up in the air.
So, let's instead look at the Cardinals 2nd round pick. They are going to be the 6th pick in the 2nd round.
My top 6 NON-QUARTERBACK players left on the board:
1. Menelik Watson, OT
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/menelik-watson?id=2540206
Guy is a 1st round talent in my mind. He is a great athlete who is raw at the position because he only has been player football a few years. But he has great feet, and moves extremely well. I believe his ceiling is starting LT in the NFL. Not only that, I think he could come in day 1 and challenge for the RG position for the Cardinals. Good size, good feet, good measurables.
2. Alex Okafor, OLB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/alex-okafor?id=2539319
I am a stubborn, stubborn man. Damontre Moore is still available, but Alex Okafor is still my favorite pass rusher/OLB left. Sam Acho has taught me that while an OLBer has to be able to generate a pass rush (cause Acho struggles there) his ability to play all facets of the position are just as important. Alex Okafor is a different type of athlete then, let's say Dion Jordan. Okafor doesn't have the explosiveness, and the all around athleticism, not to mention Okafor will have to transition to OLBer. But, Okafor has his strengths. He has really, really good hands, strong arms, and uses them effectively. His play against the run is very good, and he can rush the passer. Not with so much speed, as with power an technique. Finally, what makes him my #2 pick is he is said to be a student of the game, and a gym rat. Thus I have no issue that he will learn the OLBer position, yet he can play in the nickel package as well as a DE.
3. Damontre Moore, OLB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/damontre-moore?id=2540138
Throw out the underwear olympics. This guy can get after the QB. Explosive first step, and can beat a OT with his quickness. Once pencilled in the top ten but then the combine and "12 reps on the bench press" came along, and down the draft he slid. Moore would be used in a pass rushing situation day 1, but he would be a project to become a good all around linebacker. In a way if the Cardinals picked Moore, he would be looked at as the replacement for O'Brien Schofield next season......or even this season. But, again Moore has to get into NFL shape, and learn the finer points of the game. That and he will be a big liability in the run game at first.
4. Jonathan Cyprien, SS
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/john-cyprien?id=2539223
Another player that could have easily gone in the first round. Vaccaro, and Elam where the two our of the first three safeties off the board, and they should have been. Cyprien was my and many 3rd best safety in this draft, and I think he is a better fit for the Cardinals then Matt Elam would have been. Cyprien is the safety equivalent of Menelik Watson, because he is raw at his position, but has extremely good skill for it. Cyprien is fast, strong, and an aggressive hitter. He may not start right away, but he will be slated to start as soon as possible at strong safety. He would give us the fastest safety we have seen since Antrel Rolle played back there for the Cardinals.
5. Tank Carradine OLB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/cornellius-carradine?id=2539224
6'4", 275lbs. He could have been a 1st round pick but was injured last year in college. Another pass rushing possibility, but could put on weight and play DE as well. Some blurbs our of Cardinals camp is Matt Shaughnessy (6'5" 270lbs) has played some OLBer for the Cardinals in camp, and Carradine would be following that trend. Carradine is powerful yet quick, but very raw. He would be a project but with the potential to justify the pick, and the wait time.
6. Kevin Minter, ILB
Link: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/kevin-minter?id=2540159
This is the toughest one out of the six. There are a couple players here that would make sense, but in reality, if the Cardinals got to their 2nd round pick and the 5 players above were gone, then I would think going QB would be best here. But, when it comes to non-QB guys, Minter wins out. It is hard for me to put a guy that will probably be a two down LB in the NFL. That is the only knock I have on Minter, is he is would be a liability in coverage. Outside of that, he is Mr. Clean in the run game. PERFECT, and I mean PERFECT compliment to Daryl Washington on the inside. He plays extremely well between the tackles.
Others:
Larry Warford, OG
Zack Ertz, TE
Margus Hunt, DE
Arthur Brown, ILB
Jamar Taylor, CB <-- surprise pick here, IMO.
Terron Armstead
** As for QB's ? Maybe we can ask Mitch to break them down, cause I just list them as wildcards in this draft, meaning choosing a QB from here on in is more than justifiable, and would be a good pick in my opinion. But, what round, and who it is ? That is anybody's guess right now.
Again, as for the 3rd pick....I am not even going to try. It is completely up in the air right now, with the way some players are falling. Again, with the depth of this draft, and the feel of it, the Cardinals could come away with players in the 3rd and 4th round that can help this team out right away.
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