The players that I think the Cardinals are intrigued with at #24:
QB Brett Hundley, UCLA---the Cardinals brought him in for a reason and this is he has unquestionable talent. I went back this weekend and watched more tape of him this past season---did you know Hundley threw at nearly a 70% completion rate? I watched the Texas game at Texas (AT&T Stadium, Arlington) where Hundley sprained his left elbow and had to sit out---but before that he was on the money on all 10 of his throws and had two huge plays called back for penalties, a long pass play and a 35 yard, electrifying scramble. The fact is, his protection this past year was well below par and sure sometimes he bolted the pocket a tad sooner than one would like, but in the Texas game and the USC game, for example, he hung in the pocket and delivered passes right in stride to his receivers. I think he is a much more accurate passer than Colin Kaepernick and is very much on a par with Russell Wilson in terms of accuracy and ability to throw on the run. This may be a moot point because if the Eagles don't move up to take Mariota, I think Hundley is their option 1A.
RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin---I read somewhere that not only did the Cardinals bring Gordon in for a visit, they consider him a better fit in their offense than Todd Gurley because of the way Gordon runs behind his blocks and the way he can bust the home run any time he touches the ball, either by hand off or throw.
RB Todd Gurley, Georgia---He's so supremely talented that he is going to be hard for any team to pass up. Seriously, if he weren't coming off an ACL, the Jags would be crazy to pass him up at #3. Even the Raiders at #4. It won't happen but those teams may wind up regretting not taking Gurley the way the Cardinals have in passing on Adrian Peterson.
C Cameron Erving, Florida St.---Everyone seems to have Erving going to the Chiefs at #18, which makes perfect sense. However, should the Chiefs go in a different direction and Erving makes it to #24, he becomes an instant part of the discussion because of how dominant the Cardinals' line could become with the addition of such a big, strong, athletic and naturally gifted center. Put it this way too---the worry about Iupati is not straight up pass blocking, it is being quick enough to block the A gap on stunts and blitzes. With Erving next to Iupati, the Cardinals have the perfect help scenario built in.
WR Breshad Perriman, Central Florida---Any time a WR at 6-2, 220 runs a 4.2-4.3 40, the Cardinals have to be intrigued because of their style of offense. Perriman could be an even faster version of Brandon Marshall.
WR Phillip Dorsett, Miami---Again, we are talking about blazing speed (4.2) and some gifted hands to boot in what has become a need area regarding the return game. Do the Cardinals already have their version of Dorsett in John Brown? I say no, because Dorsett is bigger and far more polished. He averaged 24.2 yards per catch last season with 871 yards and 10 TDs.
WR Devin Smith, Ohio St.---Best deep threat in the draft for an offense that thrives on throwing the ball deep, but lacks the combination speed/ ball tracking to cash in. He averaged 28.2 yards per catch last season playing for 3 different QBs for 931 yards and 13 TDs.
NT Malcom Brown, Texas---Has the thickness, the strength, the feet and closing ability to be one heckuva force in the miiddle.
NT Danny Shelton, Washington---This kid is a dancing bear. At his size to have the kind of agility and bounce that he does is remarkable. NTs tend to slide some in drafts, so who knows?
DE Michael Bennett, Ohio St.----I would take him over Arik Armstead any day because Bennett is a legitimate penetrator and pass rushing force who isn't as easily blocked.
OLB Eli Harold, Virginia---Has the length, strong hands and edge speed the Cardinals are looking for.
OLB Bud Dupree---Can thump on the edge and close in quickly on the QB.
OLB Randy Gregory, Nebraska---Angular and disruptive force off the edge who should be a top 15 pick, but may slide due to positive testing for MJ.
CB Byron Jones, Connecticut---Possesses rare physical traits and plays the game tenaciously.
CB P.J. Williams, Florida St.---Big physical CB who brings aggressiveness and toughness. His DUI is a red flag, but not necessarily a deal breaker if the FO is satisfied that this won't be an issue moving forward. Plus, at his size they can use him on TEs when necessary, as they did with Cromartie.
CB Quinten Rollins, Miami (Ohio)---A wild card this early---but his tape is so good and the way he confirmed his talent at the Senior Bowl as a textbook technique cover CB who jumps routes like Aeneas Williams.
Not So Sure But Maybe?:
WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma---Has the talent for sure. Can the red flags be overlooked?
WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona St.---Impressive gamer who battles for everything he gets on the field and has very impressive physical talents.
WR Sammie Coates, Auburn---Every time I saw him play he had an uncanny way of getting open deep and making clutch plays.
DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma---Huge physical specimen who makes a bunch of plays because of his active hands, strength and feet.
DE Arik Armstead, Oregon---Some compare him to Calais Campbell, but I would say he's more like Chris Canty. Still---nice length and athleticism.
LB Shaq Thompson, Washington---Whatever team that drafts him will have to find a niche for him---and if it is the Cardinals, it could mean a greater commitment to their hybrid three safeties scheme.
LB Erik Kendricks, UCLA---Active and smart. Good leader. On the smallish side but then again so are some of the best LBers in the NFL.
OLB Owamagbe Odighiwuza, UCLA---Physical dynamo when healthy.
CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest---Cagy and smooth. Has all the skills.
CB Jalen Collins, LSU---Has the size and athleticism, but has flaws in his technique.
Note: I left the tackle and guard spots out because I just don't see the Cardinals using the #24 pick on one this year.
