Brian Leonard is Cardinals' secret draft weapon

[kerouac9]

I don't think the Cards want out of the 5th overall pick. I think that Graves would be afraid of another Pace/Johnson fiasco and would have to accept the world for it to work. He'll ask for a second round pick, and no one will take it.

But in the second round (38th overall), I think that there will be teams who will have an interest in Rutgers HB/FB Brian Leonard. If a team like the Panthers (45th overall), Steelers (46th overall) or Broncos (56th overall) are interested in this guy before a team like the Falcons have a chance, the Cards will have an excellent chance to move down a little and pick up a player or pick.

For the Cards and Steelers to trade places in the 2nd round, the requisite value would be a mid-third round pick. Perhaps this is where Alan Faneca would come into play. That value would seem about right.

I think that Graves could trade the 38th overall pick (520 pts) and the 5th round pick (142nd overall--33 points) for a second and third round pick, which would give the Cards four picks on the first day and make even me happy.

The other option would be to use the third round pick to move back into the first round if there's a player there that we have to have (like Jarvis Moss or Anthony Spencer), so that a team could move down and get value for a guy like Leonard.

 

[perivolaki]

The other option would be to use the third round pick to move back into the first round if there's a player there that we have to have (like Jarvis Moss or Anthony Spencer), so that a team could move down and get value for a guy like Leonard.

Do you think Spencer has crept into the first round? I really like him and was hoping the Cards had a shot at him in the second round.

 

[Redsz]

It wouldn't surprise me if the Cardinals take a look at Brian Leonard themselves. He is a big, physical between the tackles runner who would be that #2 back to take the load off of Edge.

 

[Southpaw]

Brian Leonard in Red. I can see him playing from Day 1. Special teams, 3rd down.

 

[SeaChicken]

...
For the Cards and Steelers to trade places in the 2nd round, the requisite value would be a mid-third round pick. Perhaps this is where Alan Faneca would come into play. That value would seem about right.
...

I'm not following you here. Are you implying that the Steelers might give you Alan Faneca in return for switching places in the 2nd? 'Cause if that's what you're saying, you're grossly underestimating his value.

 

[kerouac9]

I'm not following you here. Are you implying that the Steelers might give you Alan Faneca in return for switching places in the 2nd? 'Cause if that's what you're saying, you're grossly underestimating his value.

I don't think so. If you're talking about a player who has 3 years left on his contract, I'd agree with you. But you're talking about getting something for a guy that possibly doesn't want to be there and is going to need a new deal. Also, you're not talking about a complete player; you're talking about a guy that basically only knows how to run block. With those two factors in mind, I think that that mid-third value is about right.

Realistically, the Steelers would be getting slightly less than what the Bears got for Thomas Jones. For a guard, in a guard-rich draft, who is in the last year of his deal and is going to want big money, I think that's pretty good.

Really, though, I don't understand the man-love for Faneca on this board. It's real similar to what we saw two months ago regarding Max Starks. Most people here just haven't seen him play and so they don't understand that the guy's given up 16 sacks in the last three seasons. Steve Hutchinson, by comparison, has only give up 8. Larry Allen only gave up 11.

Honestly, in this draft, I'd probably rather take the pick.

 

[WildBB]

Do you think Spencer has crept into the first round? I really like him and was hoping the Cards had a shot at him in the second round.

Not crept. Solidly in there.

 

[WildBB]

Brian Leonard in Red. I can see him playing from Day 1. Special teams, 3rd down.

Luxury item with Terrell in the fold. We need T, CB , OLB help. He would be a nice addition. And that's about the spot he should go. We have alot of tough yards backs right now.

 

[kerouac9]

Do you think Spencer has crept into the first round? I really like him and was hoping the Cards had a shot at him in the second round.

Absolutely. I expect him and Jarvis Moss to be gone within the first 25 picks. DEs are one of the positions (along with CB and WR) that are overdrafted year after year. There will be 5-6 DEs and 8-9 DBs taken in the first round, which only leaves some 17 spots for all the other guys.

 

[football karma]

My dreamdraft scenario is that somehow Jarvis Moss slips into the second at #38

unlikely, but it is a dream afterall

 

[JeffGollin]

Funny; I was thinking that Kalil, Harris, Blalock and Staley best fit the profile of players 2nd round teams might trade up into the bottom of the 1st round to grab. Certainly, Leonard could fit the bill as well.

I agree with those who have said that, from a Cardinals standpoint, our 2nd round pick at #38 may be more pivotal than our pick at #5 because we are positioned right where some of the overlooked 1st round talents fall down to.

 

[SeaChicken]

I don't think so. If you're talking about a player who has 3 years left on his contract, I'd agree with you. But you're talking about getting something for a guy that possibly doesn't want to be there and is going to need a new deal. Also, you're not talking about a complete player; you're talking about a guy that basically only knows how to run block. With those two factors in mind, I think that that mid-third value is about right.

Realistically, the Steelers would be getting slightly less than what the Bears got for Thomas Jones. For a guard, in a guard-rich draft, who is in the last year of his deal and is going to want big money, I think that's pretty good.

Really, though, I don't understand the man-love for Faneca on this board. It's real similar to what we saw two months ago regarding Max Starks. Most people here just haven't seen him play and so they don't understand that the guy's given up 16 sacks in the last three seasons. Steve Hutchinson, by comparison, has only give up 8. Larry Allen only gave up 11.

Honestly, in this draft, I'd probably rather take the pick.

While I get where you're going, I disagree with you. Whether or not Faneca is rightfully considered "the best guard in football" anymore can certainly be debated. But the point is that his "perceived" value is much higher than a third round pick. Remember, despite this guard rich draft that you speak of, the Buffalo Bills paid Derrick Dockery top dollar in free agency. Derrick Dockery. This dude has NEVER been accused of being half the guard that Faneca is/was and yet teams went after him full bore.

If the Steelers do in fact put him on the block, they'll most certainly find AT LEAST one team who would give them a second. True, there are a collection of guards in this draft put teams are clearly putting a higher priority on guards now than they ever have and Faneca (right or wrong) is still perceived to be one of the best in the game.

 

[kerouac9]

While I get where you're going, I disagree with you. Whether or not Faneca is rightfully considered "the best guard in football" anymore can certainly be debated. But the point is that his "perceived" value is much higher than a third round pick. Remember, despite this guard rich draft that you speak of, the Buffalo Bills paid Derrick Dockery top dollar in free agency. Derrick Dockery. This dude has NEVER been accused of being half the guard that Faneca is/was and yet teams went after him full bore.

If the Steelers do in fact put him on the block, they'll most certainly find AT LEAST one team who would give them a second. True, there are a collection of guards in this draft put teams are clearly putting a higher priority on guards now than they ever have and Faneca (right or wrong) is still perceived to be one of the best in the game.

Then I'd take a third round pick. I'm not desperate for a 30-year old guard looking for a $40 million contract next season. Some people here are. More power to them.

 

[wembley88]

kerouac, as you probably realise by now my football knowledge is limited but i saw Leonard at rutgers and wasnt impressed and that was against a poor syracuse team.

As a rutgers fan it would be nice but not a 2nd rounder in my humble opinion

 

[lobo]

Luxury item with Terrell in the fold. We need T, CB , OLB help. He would be a nice addition. And that's about the spot he should go. We have alot of tough yards backs right now.

Correctamundo. Totally a luxury with other holes to fix

 

[SeaChicken]

Then I'd take a third round pick. I'm not desperate for a 30-year old guard looking for a $40 million contract next season. Some people here are. More power to them.

And I'm certainly not advocating that you should. I'm simply saying that right or wrong, this guy is still considered top shelf and will get that kind of a "king's ransom".

 

[Skkorpion]

kerouac, as you probably realise by now my football knowledge is limited but i saw Leonard at rutgers and wasnt impressed and that was against a poor syracuse team.

As a rutgers fan it would be nice but not a 2nd rounder in my humble opinion

Leonard had bulked up a little to play FB and has since dropped some weight to get back to being a RB, which is where he sees himself in the NFL.

 

[Redrage]

If we take a running back not named Adrian peterson it will probably be more of a speed back (IMHO).

 

[cardsfanmd]

While I get where you're going, I disagree with you. Whether or not Faneca is rightfully considered "the best guard in football" anymore can certainly be debated. But the point is that his "perceived" value is much higher than a third round pick. Remember, despite this guard rich draft that you speak of, the Buffalo Bills paid Derrick Dockery top dollar in free agency. Derrick Dockery. This dude has NEVER been accused of being half the guard that Faneca is/was and yet teams went after him full bore.

If the Steelers do in fact put him on the block, they'll most certainly find AT LEAST one team who would give them a second. True, there are a collection of guards in this draft put teams are clearly putting a higher priority on guards now than they ever have and Faneca (right or wrong) is still perceived to be one of the best in the game.

As weird as it sounds, I disagree. I am with K9 on this one.