2015 Team Needs (Pre Free Agency)

[Chopper0080]

We have been talking a ton about needs and priorities for 2015, and most would agree that we have some holes. Now, in a salary cap league, you never are going to have all pro players at every position unless you draft almost perfectly. So, that means you have to prioritize what positions you feel are most impactful, and where you will be able to get the biggest upgrade in talent. I will list our current starting units (a bit of speculation included) so we have an idea of what our current state is, and what players we feel we could uprgade the most.

QB-Carson Palmer
QB-Drew Stanton
RB-Andre Ellington
RB-Stepfan Taylor
WR-Larry Fitzgerald
WR-Michael Floyd
WR-John Brown
TE-Troy Niklas
TE-Darren Fells
LT-Jared Veldheer
LG-Jonathan Cooper
C-Lyle Sendlein
RG-Ted Larsen
RT-Bobby Massie

DE-Calais Campbell
NT-Alameda Ta'Amu
DE-Darnell Dockett
OLB-Alex Okafor
OLB-Matt Shaughnessy
ILB-Kevin Minter
ILB-Glenn Carson
CB-Patrick Peterson
CB-Jerraud Powers
CB-Tyrann Mathieu
S-Deone Bucannon
S-Rashad Johnson
S-Tyrann Mathieu

K-Chandler Catanzaro
LS-?
P-Dave Zastudill
KR-Ted Ginn
PR-Ted Ginn

***

Some easy fixes would be to re-sign Dan Williams and Mike Leach to fill the NT and LS roles.

But what do you all think. I would say that our lack of talent at ILB is apparent. What this list doesn't show is our sub DE/pass rusher which is an obvious need. I would say we need to upgrade in our return game. But other than that, where do you see our big free agent needs to be? Free agency will set the draft, and honestly, looking at this list, I'm not sure we need to be the players that some think we do.

 

[don7031]

Shouldn't it read:

IR - Jonathan Cooper

 

[BW52]

We have been talking a ton about needs and priorities for 2015, and most would agree that we have some holes. Now, in a salary cap league, you never are going to have all pro players at every position unless you draft almost perfectly. So, that means you have to prioritize what positions you feel are most impactful, and where you will be able to get the biggest upgrade in talent. I will list our current starting units (a bit of speculation included) so we have an idea of what our current state is, and what players we feel we could uprgade the most.

QB-Carson Palmer
QB-Drew Stanton
RB-Andre Ellington
RB-Stepfan Taylor
WR-Larry Fitzgerald
WR-Michael Floyd
WR-John Brown
TE-Troy Niklas
TE-Darren Fells
LT-Jared Veldheer
LG-Jonathan Cooper
C-Lyle Sendlein
RG-Ted Larsen
RT-Bobby Massie

DE-Calais Campbell
NT-Alameda Ta'Amu
DE-Darnell Dockett
OLB-Alex Okafor
OLB-Matt Shaughnessy
ILB-Kevin Minter
ILB-Glenn Carson
CB-Patrick Peterson
CB-Jerraud Powers
CB-Tyrann Mathieu
S-Deone Bucannon
S-Rashad Johnson
S-Tyrann Mathieu

K-Chandler Catanzaro
LS-?
P-Dave Zastudill
KR-Ted Ginn
PR-Ted Ginn

***

Some easy fixes would be to re-sign Dan Williams and Mike Leach to fill the NT and LS roles.

But what do you all think. I would say that our lack of talent at ILB is apparent. What this list doesn't show is our sub DE/pass rusher which is an obvious need. I would say we need to upgrade in our return game. But other than that, where do you see our big free agent needs to be? Free agency will set the draft, and honestly, looking at this list, I'm not sure we need to be the players that some think we do.

TE Carlson is not a FA.

 

[Chopper0080]

TE Carlson is not a FA.

I don't think he will start over Niklas, and Fells was starting over him at the end of the year. He may be on the roster, but I don't believe he starts if he doesn't get cut.

 

[BW52]

ILB jumps out
NT jumps out
OLB another pass rusher or two.
FS who can play centerfield
CB who can start if needed.
a solid 3rd QB with a real future.
More Dline depth

 

[az jam]

-Need a big RB for short yardage and red zone carries.
-Depth needed in OL.
-Would like another qb in draft to develop as i have zero confidence in Logan Thomas.
-ILB is a big need as already stated
-desperately need a pass rusher
-need to get a quality kick/punt returner
-probably will lose Cromarte and thus need cb help

 

[Chopper0080]

Need a big RB for short yardage and red zone carries.
-Depth needed in OL.
-Would like another qb in draft to develop as i have zero confidence in Logan Thomas.
-ILB is a big need as already stated
-desperately need a pass rusher
-need to get a quality kick/punt returner
-probably will lose Cromarte and thus need cb help[/B]

But the question is where do you get the biggest upgrade for the cost?

Depth is needed at pretty much every position...not sure it is unique to OL, DL, LB.

How much are you willing to pay or invest in a "big RB" who will be a substantial upgrade over Taylor?

What pick are you going to spend on a "QB to develop" who has better tools or a higher ceiling than Thomas? And will his contract be up before he even gets a chance to play with Palmer already at QB?

How much do you spend on CB help when yo uhave Powers, and will pay him 5 mil nest year?

This is what I mean when I say that most people think we have a ton of holes when we have a few glaring ones, and then just a need to upgrade the bottom of the roster in general.

 

[Chopper0080]

ILB jumps out
NT jumps out
OLB another pass rusher or two.
FS who can play centerfield
CB who can start if needed.
a solid 3rd QB with a real future.
More Dline depth

Two thoughts...

re: FS...I wish I knew what the plan was here. Rashad Johnson is upgradable but the team lists Mathieu as a FS. So if the idea is to play Johnson at FS in sub packages and Mathieu in base, Johnson might be the best you can ask for.

re: DL depth...really? Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker, Darnell Dockett, Ed Stinson, Josh Mauro, and Kareem Martin? We need to re-sign Dan Williams or sign another NT, but you aren't stacking those guys on your roster. At DE, you might add a guy if the righ one falls in the draft but he will need to be better than what we have right now. I'm not sure you will find that after the 2nd or 3rd round.

 

[Matt L]

QB-Carson Palmer
QB-Drew Stanton
RB-Andre Ellington
RB-Stepfan Taylor
WR-Larry Fitzgerald
WR-Michael Floyd
WR-John Brown
TE-Troy Niklas
TE-Darren Fells
LT-Jared Veldheer
LG-Jonathan Cooper
C-Lyle Sendlein
RG-Ted Larsen
RT-Bobby Massie

DE-Calais Campbell
NT-Alameda Ta'Amu
DE-Darnell Dockett
OLB-Alex Okafor
OLB-Matt Shaughnessy
ILB-Kevin Minter
ILB-Glenn Carson
CB-Patrick Peterson
CB-Jerraud Powers
CB-Tyrann Mathieu
S-Deone Bucannon
S-Rashad Johnson
S-Tyrann Mathieu

K-Chandler Catanzaro
LS-?
P-Dave Zastudill
KR-Ted Ginn
PR-Ted Ginn

***

Some easy fixes would be to re-sign Dan Williams and Mike Leach to fill the NT and LS roles.

But what do you all think. I would say that our lack of talent at ILB is apparent. What this list doesn't show is our sub DE/pass rusher which is an obvious need. I would say we need to upgrade in our return game. But other than that, where do you see our big free agent needs to be? Free agency will set the draft, and honestly, looking at this list, I'm not sure we need to be the players that some think we do.

I think the spots in bold could use an upgrade and could filled in free agency/draft. I am not opposed to using a first round pick on a running back. With more teams shying away from using a 1st round pick on a running back, we may get a really good one at 24. If you hit on the player, he's locked up for 4 years at a reasonable salary.

I would like to see an upgrade at center as well.

Inside linebacker is definitely a spot that requires an upgrade. Who knows what is going to happen with Washington but there are two guys playing inside in our defense and both guys on the current roster leave a lot to be desired.

 

[kerouac9]

ILB is the cheapest in free agency, although maybe the most expensive in the draft from an efficiency standpoint. People are going to get hot and bothered if Larry Foote leaves or retires, but while he was good comperable to expectations, he was probably below average.

Daryl Washington is special but no better than the third ILB in the division.

No. 1 priority: Inside linebacker (cheap in free agency, expensive in the draft)
No. 2 priority: Rush OLB (expensive in free agency, cheap in the draft if you can scout 'em)
No. 3 priority: Return specialist (cheap in the draft)
No. 4 priority: Running back capable of taking 40-60% of backfield touches (cheap in the draft; probably cheap in free agency)
No. 5 priority: Interior offensive lineman capable of starting (cheap in free agency and draft)

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I would say that our lack of talent at ILB is apparent.

I remember hearing Jurecki speak to this months ago (October IIRC) when he reported that Keim, et. al., were hinting that ILB would be their "target of need" in the first round for the 2015 draft.

At the time we were still rolling, so I thought that we were ok on the inside. Now, it seems to me that both the inside and outside LB positions are our biggest areas of concern...then Guard.

 

[Chopper0080]

ILB is the cheapest in free agency, although maybe the most expensive in the draft from an efficiency standpoint. People are going to get hot and bothered if Larry Foote leaves or retires, but while he was good comperable to expectations, he was probably below average.

Daryl Washington is special but no better than the third ILB in the division.

No. 1 priority: Inside linebacker (cheap in free agency, expensive in the draft)
No. 2 priority: Rush OLB (expensive in free agency, cheap in the draft if you can scout 'em)
No. 3 priority: Return specialist (cheap in the draft)
No. 4 priority: Running back capable of taking 40-60% of backfield touches (cheap in the draft; probably cheap in free agency)
No. 5 priority: Interior offensive lineman capable of starting (cheap in free agency and draft)

I would argue that the way we have used our ILB, that is cheap in every way, especially if we will ideally use them like we did with Dansby and Washington. If a guy is going to play almost every snap, spending a high pick on him is worth the investment, but you can't draft a limited guy like Minter. He has to be able to stay on the field every down. Where I agree is that you can spend 3 mil on one in free agency, and be able to use that draft pick on a position where it isn't as cheap to fill in free agency.

I agree on OLB. It is super cheap in the draft, but the bust potential is huge as well.

 

[BW52]

Two thoughts...

re: FS...I wish I knew what the plan was here. Rashad Johnson is upgradable but the team lists Mathieu as a FS. So if the idea is to play Johnson at FS in sub packages and Mathieu in base, Johnson might be the best you can ask for.

re: DL depth...really? Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker, Darnell Dockett, Ed Stinson, Josh Mauro, and Kareem Martin? We need to re-sign Dan Williams or sign another NT, but you aren't stacking those guys on your roster. At DE, you might add a guy if the righ one falls in the draft but he will need to be better than what we have right now. I'm not sure you will find that after the 2nd or 3rd round.

Dockett is 33 and coming off injury.Rucker is a DE playing DT at times.Williams is a FA.Ta`amu was a non-factor due to previous injury.Stinson and Martin are promising young kids.Mauro looks like a rotational type who could help.This draft has several possible D-line options for middle rounds or earlier if all pass rushers are gone.Just saying if other choices are gone why not take BPA if Dlineman?

 

[Chopper0080]

Free agent RBs that you would consider an upgrade over Taylor, and who don't do what Ellington does? Frank Gore, Mark Ingram, Darren McFadden, and Demarco Murray. How much do you want to invest in one of these guys? Would it be easier to draft one in the third round?

My answer is we will draft one, But I could see the Cards signing Gore or McFadden if they cost around 2 mil.

 

[Chopper0080]

Dockett is 33 and coming off injury.Rucker is a DE playing DT at times.Williams is a FA.Ta`amu was a non-factor due to previous injury.Stinson and Martin are promising young kids.Mauro looks like a rotational type who could help.This draft has several possible D-line options for middle rounds or earlier if all pass rushers are gone.Just saying if other choices are gone why not take BPA if Dlineman?

Ok, but who are they going to supplant? Dockett's situation could open up the possibility for acquiring a DL, but other than that, why? We aren't really in the position to hold any more spots for developmental d linemen when we have roster limits. We run a 3-4, and until that changes, we can only hold so many roster spots for these spots. Kareem Martin was a 3rd round guy, and got beat for snaps by Mauro, Stinson, and Rucker. If you draft a mid round guy, you are doing so hoping he is a rotational guy, which we have a ton of. My point is you take a guy early to upgrade, or you don't really take one. Not a bad problem to have even though I like the draft class at DL.

 

[Chopper0080]

Free agent OG you feel would be an upgrade over Larsen?

Clint Boling
Mike Iupati
Rob Sims
Jeff Linkenbach

The question is how much are you willing to pay for the upgrade, and how much of an upgrade will it be?

 

[Chopper0080]

Wouldn't shock me if we added Matt Spaeth as a FA TE as he has the rep as a plus blocker.

 

[kerouac9]

I would argue that the way we have used our ILB, that is cheap in every way, especially if we will ideally use them like we did with Dansby and Washington. If a guy is going to play almost every snap, spending a high pick on him is worth the investment, but you can't draft a limited guy like Minter. He has to be able to stay on the field every down. Where I agree is that you can spend 3 mil on one in free agency, and be able to use that draft pick on a position where it isn't as cheap to fill in free agency.

I agree on OLB. It is super cheap in the draft, but the bust potential is huge as well.

I guess, but I think that as we saw with Minter, identifying a Top 15 ILB isn't an easy job to do. You might end up with Dansby, but you could just as easily end up with Minter or A.J. Hawk.

I don't think that you can find a permanent solution in free agency, but you can find a stopgap for $2M per season or less fairly easily. That's what Dansby and Foote were.

OLBs are plentiful in the draft; you just have to know what you're buying. That's hard.

Wouldn't shock me if we added Matt Spaeth as a FA TE as he has the rep as a plus blocker.

True enough, and he is familiar with the offensive system. But he was also available in free agency in 2013 for nothing, and the Cards weren't interested at that time--they ended up starting Jim Dray for 16 games.

 

[cardpa]

The biggest need is ILB. The question is how do you address it?

If I am the Cardinals I would be making a play for either David Harris of the Jets or Akeem Ayers of the Patriots. I think either is an upgrade to what the Cardinals have now at ILB.

At RB I would be targeting Bilal Thomas of the Jets and Mark Ingram of NO. There is a plethora of RBs available but many of them are coming off injuries or just haven't lived up to their expectations.

At OLB I would be looking at Pernell McPhee of the Ravens and Derrick Morgan of the Titans as well as Brian Orakpo as long as he would sign an incentive laden contract. The first two have somewhat similar stats as Worilds and would be cheaper. With the progress of Oakafor adding another player like McPhee or Morgan would cause some problems for other teams Olines and force choosing who you double team.

If the team can't resign Williams then the DTs I would look at would be Terrance Knighton of Denver and Stephen Paea of the Bears. C.J. Mosley of the Lions could also be in play here. I am looking at big bodies here who can eat space with the ability to create pressure up the middle. With the present Dline you don't need a big splash here.

At CB I would take a run at Zack Bowman of the Giants and Patrick Robinson of the Saints. These guys would push Powers for playing time. I think Cromartie is as good as gone.

Stefen Wisniewski is the biggest FA I would pursue as it would solidify the interior of the Oline and replace Sendlein. This would help the guard positions.

In making these selections I am looking at age and potential output. None are top tier names but I think they are guys who would fit and would compliment and improve what is on the roster now.

The draft will fill the remaining holes where you could not sign a FA and/or allow you to take a player who push another existing starter at any position and add depth.

I know these are not flashy picks however I think they all can be significant contributors. I don't see the team making a push for a top tier FA as it's just not their style. If Cooper can make a push to start then I don't see much change on the Oline at all unless some one drops who you just should not pass on or they can sign Wisniewski.

 

[Chopper0080]

The biggest need is ILB. The question is how do you address it?

If I am the Cardinals I would be making a play for either David Harris of the Jets or Akeem Ayers of the Patriots. I think either is an upgrade to what the Cardinals have now at ILB.

At RB I would be targeting Bilal Thomas of the Jets and Mark Ingram of NO. There is a plethora of RBs available but many of them are coming off injuries or just haven't lived up to their expectations.

At OLB I would be looking at Pernell McPhee of the Ravens and Derrick Morgan of the Titans as well as Brian Orakpo as long as he would sign an incentive laden contract. The first two have somewhat similar stats as Worilds and would be cheaper. With the progress of Oakafor adding another player like McPhee or Morgan would cause some problems for other teams Olines and force choosing who you double team.

If the team can't resign Williams then the DTs I would look at would be Terrance Knighton of Denver and Stephen Paea of the Bears. C.J. Mosley of the Lions could also be in play here. I am looking at big bodies here who can eat space with the ability to create pressure up the middle. With the present Dline you don't need a big splash here.

At CB I would take a run at Zack Bowman of the Giants and Patrick Robinson of the Saints. These guys would push Powers for playing time. I think Cromartie is as good as gone.

Stefen Wisniewski is the biggest FA I would pursue as it would solidify the interior of the Oline and replace Sendlein. This would help the guard positions.

In making these selections I am looking at age and potential output. None are top tier names but I think they are guys who would fit and would compliment and improve what is on the roster now.

The draft will fill the remaining holes where you could not sign a FA and/or allow you to take a player who push another existing starter at any position and add depth.

I know these are not flashy picks however I think they all can be significant contributors. I don't see the team making a push for a top tier FA as it's just not their style. If Cooper can make a push to start then I don't see much change on the Oline at all unless some one drops who you just should not pass on or they can sign Wisniewski.

I looked at Harris and Ayers, but I watched the Super Bowl, and I didn't see the Patriots using Ayers to run Wilson down, or cover TEs. At 250+, I'm sure he is an upgrade over Minter, but I'm not suyre if he is the 3 down LB we are looking for, and our defense employs. Same point with Harris, though I have liked him as a player.

You can argue that ILBs who can run, cover, and chase Wilson/Kaep down are more important than an OLB who can rush outside. There is a need for both, but I could argue I would add two athletic ILBs before I would add a rush OLB if given the chance.

 

[BillsCarnage]

This is what I mean when I say that most people think we have a ton of holes when we have a few glaring ones, and then just a need to upgrade the bottom of the roster in general.

The only glaring hole I'd consider is the LBers. Otherwise, the roster just needs to get healthy - and stay healthy.

Thought, if they lose Williams that'll be a glaring hole literally and figuratively.

 

[kerouac9]

If the team can't resign Williams then the DTs I would look at would be Terrance Knighton of Denver and Stephen Paea of the Bears. C.J. Mosley of the Lions could also be in play here. I am looking at big bodies here who can eat space with the ability to create pressure up the middle. With the present Dline you don't need a big splash here.

Knighton is a 4-3 DT. Paea is too, and he has the added benefit of being part of a couple of historically terrible defenses. So that's nice.

 

[Chopper0080]

I guess, but I think that as we saw with Minter, identifying a Top 15 ILB isn't an easy job to do. You might end up with Dansby, but you could just as easily end up with Minter or A.J. Hawk.

I don't think that you can find a permanent solution in free agency, but you can find a stopgap for $2M per season or less fairly easily. That's what Dansby and Foote were.

OLBs are plentiful in the draft; you just have to know what you're buying. That's hard.



True enough, and he is familiar with the offensive system. But he was also available in free agency in 2013 for nothing, and the Cards weren't interested at that time--they ended up starting Jim Dray for 16 games.

I kind of agree with you regarding ILB, though I think if people are honest about what they are looking for, it isn't that hard. Minter was an error in expectations more than anything, and most people pretty much called that he was going to be a limited player. I would hope that Keim recognizes the difference between Minter and Kiko Alonso as an ILB. It is one reason I feel Eric Kendricks will be the pick. He has great read skills, he is athletic, and has experience in coverage. He is a safe pick which I think they will be happy to make. Similar to Bucannon last year.

If they add an edge guy in the draft, I won't be shocked if he is more of a sub DE than a true base 3-4 OLB. Personally, I believe that may be the safer bet, if you aren't taking an edge guy in round 1.

Man, getting Eric Kendricks in round 1, and then Eli Harold in round 2 would be great from a needs standpoint. Harold is a bit undersized, but he is also a true Jr. which means he may be able to fill out his frame a bit.

 

[Chopper0080]

Knighton is a 4-3 DT. Paea is too, and he has the added benefit of being part of a couple of historically terrible defenses. So that's nice.

If I wanted to go cheap, I would look at Sione Fua was drafted by the Panthers. He isn't great, but played the NT spot pretty well at Stanford, and has been on 4-3 teams which puts him a bit out of position. He isn't the player that Williams is, but he is low cost and has done it in the past.

 

[don7031]

I still believe an edge rusher is the biggest need. I understand that on draft day the Cardinals may have their choice of the middle linebackers versus the fourth or fifth guy down the list of edge rushers. But the defense is just so handicapped when they have to send five or six pass rushers to get pressure on the quarterback.