Chopper0080
2021 - Prove It
So, reading through the tea leaves, here are my thoughts on what I feel the Cardinals are going to do in this draft.
1-There are very few players the Cardinals will actually value in round 1.
-Paxton Lynch-QB: Revisionist history or not, the Cardinals acknowledgement of the differences between college and the pro in the DJ Humphries case makes me believe that drafting and developing a QB is more of an option than it has been in the past with Arians. Lynch has size, arm strength, and showed some accuracy. If Arians believes the tools are there, Keim will pull the trigger.
-Cody Whitehair-OL: The Cardinals have made a priority of upgrading the offensive line since Keim and Arians took over. What we have seen from the players that they have added is a preference for consistency and availability. Whitehair offers more of both of these than Ryan Kelly. I don't believe the Cardinals will stand pat and select Kelly in round 1. I do believe they would take Whitehair if they thought he could transition to C, especially with Mathis signed and who could make the line calls.
-Vernon Butler-DL: The Cardinals do not feel that NT is a huge priority for the team so I don't believe they would stand pat and draft Jarran Reed, Kenny Clark, or A'Shawn Robinson. Butler on the other hand offers length and pass rush ability that these players have not shown and is not currently on the Cardinals roster. This makes Butler a real possibility for the Cardinals at 29.
-Leonard Floyd-OLB: Floyd looks the part, but needs to develop physically. That is for certain. But, similar to Paxton Lynch, the Cardinals are very aware of the rarity that size/speed rush prospects are available. If Floyd was available, the Cardinals will jump at the chance to add a player who they can have fill a role early as a pure pass rusher while he builds his body to handle a larger role.
-Eli Apple-CB: The Cardinals preach how much the value length which is why they signed Cro when they had Powers already outside, and signed Bethel to a deal despite struggling at times. Eli offers size, speed, and experience which is rare. The Cardinals would pick Apple if he was available at 29 because of scheme fit, size, athleticism, and experience vs major competition.
With that in mind, most of these players are projected to be gone when the Cardinals pick. This leaves the most likely scenario for the Cardinals in round 1 which is a trade back. The more I dig into Kelly, the more he seems to mirror the frustrations the Cardinals had with Cooper. Also, there are other options at C which could be had later in the draft. None of the edge players really show much quickness difference from Markus Golden. Also, looking at the number of open positions in 2017, the Cardinals will be looking to add multiple players to fill out that roster. The more draft picks, the more options. My guess is that the Cardinals trade back, adding either a 3rd or 2nd (if lucky). From their they open their options to a much larger number of players who offer solid potential but with a little more risk.
1-There are very few players the Cardinals will actually value in round 1.
-Paxton Lynch-QB: Revisionist history or not, the Cardinals acknowledgement of the differences between college and the pro in the DJ Humphries case makes me believe that drafting and developing a QB is more of an option than it has been in the past with Arians. Lynch has size, arm strength, and showed some accuracy. If Arians believes the tools are there, Keim will pull the trigger.
-Cody Whitehair-OL: The Cardinals have made a priority of upgrading the offensive line since Keim and Arians took over. What we have seen from the players that they have added is a preference for consistency and availability. Whitehair offers more of both of these than Ryan Kelly. I don't believe the Cardinals will stand pat and select Kelly in round 1. I do believe they would take Whitehair if they thought he could transition to C, especially with Mathis signed and who could make the line calls.
-Vernon Butler-DL: The Cardinals do not feel that NT is a huge priority for the team so I don't believe they would stand pat and draft Jarran Reed, Kenny Clark, or A'Shawn Robinson. Butler on the other hand offers length and pass rush ability that these players have not shown and is not currently on the Cardinals roster. This makes Butler a real possibility for the Cardinals at 29.
-Leonard Floyd-OLB: Floyd looks the part, but needs to develop physically. That is for certain. But, similar to Paxton Lynch, the Cardinals are very aware of the rarity that size/speed rush prospects are available. If Floyd was available, the Cardinals will jump at the chance to add a player who they can have fill a role early as a pure pass rusher while he builds his body to handle a larger role.
-Eli Apple-CB: The Cardinals preach how much the value length which is why they signed Cro when they had Powers already outside, and signed Bethel to a deal despite struggling at times. Eli offers size, speed, and experience which is rare. The Cardinals would pick Apple if he was available at 29 because of scheme fit, size, athleticism, and experience vs major competition.
With that in mind, most of these players are projected to be gone when the Cardinals pick. This leaves the most likely scenario for the Cardinals in round 1 which is a trade back. The more I dig into Kelly, the more he seems to mirror the frustrations the Cardinals had with Cooper. Also, there are other options at C which could be had later in the draft. None of the edge players really show much quickness difference from Markus Golden. Also, looking at the number of open positions in 2017, the Cardinals will be looking to add multiple players to fill out that roster. The more draft picks, the more options. My guess is that the Cardinals trade back, adding either a 3rd or 2nd (if lucky). From their they open their options to a much larger number of players who offer solid potential but with a little more risk.
