Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Of the five players you mentioned, I think DT Vernon Butler would be the top and clear choice.
I just don't see the need to use a 1st round pick on a QB who is going to sit for 2 years behind Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton.
G/C Whitehair is a possibility, but could he learn a new position, BA's offense and all the nuances enough to start immediately? As you say, Mathis could make the line calls---but he too will be learning BA's offense for the first time. Certainly, Whitehair could be the guy to slide in at RG after Mathis leaves. SK is always thinking ahead to those types of scenarios. The interesting thing is---if Humphries struggles at RT, Whitehair might wrest the job away from him. I think he could play a solid RT. Thus, his versatility is very attractive.
I don't see OLB Floyd as being a viable option for SK. I could see Kevin Dodd, for sure. But not Floyd.
Eli Apple worries me (about being the "picked on" CB opposite Patrick Peterson)---every time I watched him it made me cringe to see how often he had his mitts on the WR. But the athleticism and intensity are very appealing.
My latest theory about the Cardinals' draft approach is that we are going to see the Cardinals take a player from the Fiesta Bowl National Championship (Alabama versus Clemson)---where MB&BA&SK were in attendance and where seeds of interest in the available draftees were being planted.
So---I've been watching the game very closely and the offensive players who are standing out are:
RB Derrick Henry---anyone who thinks this kid is slow or hesitant, go back and watch this tape. His 1st quarter TD run was a thing of beauty---he showed great vision to sidestep away from the original hole (that was stuffed), then saw a crease to his right and just exploded upfield right through the second and then third levels.
C Ryan Kelly---plays tough and hard and gets downfield to make and finish blocks. Good crisp snaps and get offs...sometimes his get offs are a little too quick and he loses his angles and leverage.
On defense:
DT A'Shawn Robinson---played over the outside shoulder of the guard in this game, which surprised me a little, given I thought they would use him mostly at NT. Robinson was effective and seemed to get stronger as the game progressed. He could chase laterally a little better than he did, which concerned me about playing off of the guard. But in short areas he is dominant.
DT Jarran Reeed, played more snaps over the center and in the A gaps---he too is well-built, strong inside tackle. Good tackler---really bottled things up. Would like to see him be more of a pass rusher, but he has the talent.
DE Shaq Lawson---was playing with a sprained MCL and was lining up in the neutral zone early on while adjusting to a revised stance. But, man, he played his tail off in this game---stringing out plays and getting after the QB. His intensity is outstanding. If he sheds a little weight in the midsection and gets chiseled up, he is going to be some kind of edge force in the NFL.
DE Kevin Dodd---not only was he matching Lawson's intensity, he was basically slipping blocks and making plays every chance he got. Very quick feet in the pass rush and with good size and angular strength.
LB Reggie Ragland---he looks like he can play 34 SILB and 34 SOLB because he is so strong versus the run and he can rush the QB. He seems a little slow to lock in on his man or zone in coverage, however---not far off, but just enough to be a step or two away from making plays.
CB Mackenzie Alexander---was flying up to make tackles on Bama's short passing game to the RBs and slot WRs. Got caught in no-man's land a couple times and gave up too much cushion at times in off-coverage. Looks like he could be a superb press CB---he's quick and very aggressive.
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