Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
That might actually be the theme of the Whisenhunt era. It certainly describes Day One of the draft. The luck was Wells falling; the professionalism came from not panicking and giving up picks.
As the running backs slid down, the Cards may have been tempted to pull the trigger on a trade. The problem was compounded by small moves being frequently made on the board that added an air of uncertainty. I am fairly sure that all the OLB’s with first round grades on the Cards’ board were gone after Indy picked. The suspense peaked for me when only the Giants and the Titans remained ahead of the Cards; neither needed a running back. The Giants moved quickly, but I think the Titans tried to hustle a pick out of the Cards. In the end, the Cards got their guy and gave up nothing.
If I had my choice of all the running backs in this draft, Wells would have been my selection. I do believe the Cards had Brown ranked higher, but he reminded me too much of Thomas Jones. Brown will likely be fine, but I am not certain he can break tackles in the NFL. The concerns that made Wells drop have little importance for the Cards. His durability is unlikely to be heavily tested with 15-18 carries per game. Can he catch the ball? If you saw tape of his pro day, he is at least an average receiver and possibly more. He looked fine, but he will have to adjust to doing it in a game. Unlike many schools, at OSU players must mold their game to the offensive scheme, not the opposite. Since OSU doesn’t throw to running backs, Wells had little exposure. Likewise he was seldom asked to pass protect, but he is strong and agile. He will be fine. He is very much a bigger, faster version of James and Hightower.
What Wells gives the Cards is a game breaker at running back. His speed/power combo is unequaled in this draft. Rested, late in the game he will be a force. He also adds a short yardage and goal line strength the Cards haven’t had in years. He is a terrific pick. I also want to mention that there is no reason a team must rotate two styles of backs. The Cards will do fine rotating two backs of similar abilities, though Wells’ strong points go considerably beyond Hightowers’.
Cody Brown will be a conversion project, as most collegiate players are when you’re an NFL team playing a 3-4. He is an excellent prospect and could play on either side with his strength and leverage skills. Brown also could move to the middle in a Dansby like role, but we’ll hope that doesn’t prove necessary. It is for this reason that I think the Cards preferred Brown over Sidbury. I had Brown going mid-round 2, so I was a little surprised that with so few proven pass rushers, he was still on the board at that point. He plays the run well and should be decent in coverage with some experience. He is very much a Steeler-type linebacker.
This draft has significantly improved this club and oh yeah, Boldin is still a Cardinal. Wow!!!!
As the running backs slid down, the Cards may have been tempted to pull the trigger on a trade. The problem was compounded by small moves being frequently made on the board that added an air of uncertainty. I am fairly sure that all the OLB’s with first round grades on the Cards’ board were gone after Indy picked. The suspense peaked for me when only the Giants and the Titans remained ahead of the Cards; neither needed a running back. The Giants moved quickly, but I think the Titans tried to hustle a pick out of the Cards. In the end, the Cards got their guy and gave up nothing.
If I had my choice of all the running backs in this draft, Wells would have been my selection. I do believe the Cards had Brown ranked higher, but he reminded me too much of Thomas Jones. Brown will likely be fine, but I am not certain he can break tackles in the NFL. The concerns that made Wells drop have little importance for the Cards. His durability is unlikely to be heavily tested with 15-18 carries per game. Can he catch the ball? If you saw tape of his pro day, he is at least an average receiver and possibly more. He looked fine, but he will have to adjust to doing it in a game. Unlike many schools, at OSU players must mold their game to the offensive scheme, not the opposite. Since OSU doesn’t throw to running backs, Wells had little exposure. Likewise he was seldom asked to pass protect, but he is strong and agile. He will be fine. He is very much a bigger, faster version of James and Hightower.
What Wells gives the Cards is a game breaker at running back. His speed/power combo is unequaled in this draft. Rested, late in the game he will be a force. He also adds a short yardage and goal line strength the Cards haven’t had in years. He is a terrific pick. I also want to mention that there is no reason a team must rotate two styles of backs. The Cards will do fine rotating two backs of similar abilities, though Wells’ strong points go considerably beyond Hightowers’.
Cody Brown will be a conversion project, as most collegiate players are when you’re an NFL team playing a 3-4. He is an excellent prospect and could play on either side with his strength and leverage skills. Brown also could move to the middle in a Dansby like role, but we’ll hope that doesn’t prove necessary. It is for this reason that I think the Cards preferred Brown over Sidbury. I had Brown going mid-round 2, so I was a little surprised that with so few proven pass rushers, he was still on the board at that point. He plays the run well and should be decent in coverage with some experience. He is very much a Steeler-type linebacker.
This draft has significantly improved this club and oh yeah, Boldin is still a Cardinal. Wow!!!!
