Cardinals' Draft Assessment

[Mitch]

1. Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee.

Best Features: Great lower body strength and short area quickness.

Best Hope: He becomes the starting NT and brute inside force the Cardinals need, and anchors the 34 defense for years to come.

Concern: That, like Alan Branch, he prefers to play the five technique (34 DE)...which when asked before the draft he listed 34 DE as his top preference, second to 43 DT and third to 34 NT.

2. Daryl Washington, LB, TCU.

Best Features: Speed and athleticism.

Best Hope: The fast, sudden, super productive and versatile 3 down ILB the Cardinals have been coveting since Dansby's defection.

Concern: Physical strength to hold up and tackling fundamentals to take down RBs like Frank Gore and Steven Jackson head on.

3. Andre Roberts, WR, Citadel.

Best Features: Speed, hands and YAC ability.

Best Hope: Becomes a great slot option as #4 WR and dynamic punt returner.

Concern: The leap from small school college football to the NFL may take added time to adjust to.

4. O'Brien Schofield, OLB, Wisconsin.

Best Features: Edge quickness and relentless pursuit.

Best Hope: Returns to full health to be a situational pass rusher and heir to one of the starting OLB spots.

Concerns: Knee rehab.

5. John Skelton, QB, Fordham.

Best Features: Arm strength and mobility.

Best Hope: Eventually becomes the QBOF.

Concern: Demonstrating the ability to lead the offense and assimilate naturally and productively into the NFL game.

6. Jorrick Calvin, CB, Troy.

Best Features: Speed, athleticism and return ability.

Best Hope: Can impact right away on STs as a KO returner and gunner.

Concern: Not having played in a year (Alas, poor Jorrick, we don't know thee well!) and being able to adapt to NFL game.

7. Jim Dray, TE, Stanford.

Best Features: Blocking and good hands.

Best Hope: Becomes the blocking TE when Anthony Becht retires.

Concern: Knee injury, lack of preferred speed.

Draft Praise for the Cardinals:

1. Being pro-active. Refreshingly proactive, at that.
2. Beating other teams to Williams, Washington, Roberts and Schofield.
3. Not having to pay CB Bryant McFadden $5M (more than Dockett this year---and the report out of Pittsburgh is they are working on a restructred deal---no wonder---perhaps the Cardinals offered him that and he refused) yup, no $5M for BMF to not have any idea where the ball is another year...and adding the $5M to put toward post-draft FA signings such as G Alan Faneca (still a mauler and a huge upgrade over Reggie Wells...gave up 4 sacks last year, but that may be improved on this year) and CB DeShea Townsend (feisty, smart, aggressive, fits Henderson's style) or Ken Lucas (has good size and competitive spirit).
4. Fortifying the middle of the defense.
5. Keeping the WR corps deep in talent and one of the NFL's elite.
6. Adding talent and depth at OLB for the future.
7. Adding a great armed QB with ideal size and impressive athletic ability.
8. Adding major talent to the return game.
9. Not giving up any more picks for 2011 than the 7th they gave the Jets in the Rhodes deal.
10. Showing once again the scouting ability to find talent in unlikely places.

Projected 53 Man Roster:

QB (3): Leinart, Anderson, Skelton
RB (4); Wells, Hightower, Stephens-Howling, Wright
FB (1): TBD
TE (3): Patrick, Becht, TBD
OL (9): Brown, Wells, Sendlein, Lutui, Keith, Bridges, Hadnot, Johnson, TBD
WR (5): Fitzgerald, Breaston, Doucet, Roberts, TBD.

NT (2): Watson, Williams
DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Iwebema, Branch
OB (6): Haggans, Porter, Brown, Davis, TBD, TBD
IB (4): Hayes, Lenon, Walker, Washington
CB (5): Rodgers-Cromartie, Toler, Adams, TBD, TBD
S (4): Wilson, Rhodes, Ware, Johnson

ST (3): Feely, Graham, Leach

Still Some Work to Do. As we saw this weekend, the rest of the NFC West is getting stronger. We are STILL the two-time defending NFC West Champs...and this Birdgang intends to maintain its nest atop the rest!

Thanks for everyone's efforts this weekend...the info and articles and the great posts. There's no better place for Cardinals info than right here at ASFN!

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Good stuff Mitch. In all seriousness, are you loving Skelton or just so so on him?

 

[Cardiac]

1. Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee.

Best Features: Great lower body strength and short area quickness.

Best Hope: He becomes the starting NT and brute inside force the Cardinals need, and anchors the 34 defense for years to come.

Concern: That, like Alan Branch, he prefers to play the five technique (34 DE)...which when asked before the draft he listed 34 DE as his top preference, second to 43 DT and third to 34 NT.

2. Daryl Washington, LB, TCU.

Best Features: Speed and athleticism.

Best Hope: The fast, sudden, super productive and versatile 3 down ILB the Cardinals have been coveting since Dansby's defection.

Concern: Physical strength to hold up and tackling fundamentals to take down RBs like Frank Gore and Steven Jackson head on.

3. Andre Roberts, WR, Citadel.

Best Features: Speed, hands and YAC ability.

Best Hope: Becomes a great slot option as #4 WR and dynamic punt returner.

Concern: The leap from small school college football to the NFL may take added time to adjust to.

4. O'Brien Schofield, OLB, Wisconsin.

Best Features: Edge quickness and relentless pursuit.

Best Hope: Returns to full health to be a situational pass rusher and heir to one of the starting OLB spots.

Concerns: Knee rehab.

5. John Skelton, QB, Fordham.

Best Features: Arm strength and mobility.

Best Hope: Eventually becomes the QBOF.

Concern: Demonstrating the ability to lead the offense and assimilate naturally and productively into the NFL game.

6. Jorrick Calvin, CB, Troy.

Best Features: Speed, athleticism and return ability.

Best Hope: Can impact right away on STs as a KO returner and gunner.

Concern: Not having played in a year (Alas, poor Jorrick, we don't know thee well!) and being able to adapt to NFL game.

7. Jim Dray, TE, Stanford.

Best Features: Blocking and good hands.

Best Hope: Becomes the blocking TE when Anthony Becht retires.

Concern: Knee injury, lack of preferred speed.

Draft Praise for the Cardinals:

1. Being pro-active. Refreshingly proactive, at that.
2. Beating other teams to Williams, Washington, Roberts and Schofield.
3. Not having to pay CB Bryant McFadden $5M (more than Dockett this year---and the report out of Pittsburgh is they are working on a restructred deal---no wonder---perhaps the Cardinals offered him that and he refused) yup, no $5M for BMF to not have any idea where the ball is another year...and adding the $5M to put toward post-draft FA signings such as G Alan Faneca (still a mauler and a huge upgrade over Reggie Wells...gave up 4 sacks last year, but that may be improved on this year) and CB DeShea Townsend (feisty, smart, aggressive, fits Henderson's style) or Ken Lucas (has good size and competitive spirit).
4. Fortifying the middle of the defense.
5. Keeping the WR corps deep in talent and one of the NFL's elite.
6. Adding talent and depth at OLB for the future.
7. Adding a great armed QB with ideal size and impressive athletic ability.
8. Adding major talent to the return game.
9. Not giving up any more picks for 2011 than the 7th they gave the Jets in the Rhodes deal.
10. Showing once again the scouting ability to find talent in unlikely places.

Projected 53 Man Roster:

QB (3): Leinart, Anderson, Skelton
RB (4); Wells, Hightower, Stephens-Howling, Wright
FB (1): TBD
TE (3): Patrick, Becht, TBD
OL (9): Brown, Wells, Sendlein, Lutui, Keith, Bridges, Hadnot, Johnson, TBD
WR (5): Fitzgerald, Breaston, Doucet, Roberts, TBD.

NT (2): Watson, Williams
DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Iwebema, Branch
OB (6): Haggans, Porter, Brown, Davis, TBD, TBD
IB (4): Hayes, Lenon, Walker, Washington
CB (5): Rodgers-Cromartie, Toler, Adams, TBD, TBD
S (4): Wilson, Rhodes, Ware, Johnson

ST (3): Feely, Graham, Leach

Still Some Work to Do. As we saw this weekend, the rest of the NFC West is getting stronger. We are STILL the two-time defending NFC West Champs...and this Birdgang intends to maintain its nest atop the rest!

Thanks for everyone's efforts this weekend...the info and articles and the great posts. There's no better place for Cardinals info than right here at ASFN!

Very impressed with the positive tenor of this post.

I think many of us are concerned with the CB position. Gotta believe the FO has a plan in place to address this.

 

[az jam]

Excellent stuff Mitch. I'm on the Skeleton bandwagon especially after watching the ESPN sports science special on him. Mayock had him as his 5th rated qb. His size and football skills are very comparable to Ben Rothlisberger. (note I said football skills only ). I think he can develop into something special.

 

[Buckybird]

Good stuff Mitch. The Redbirds diffantly rolled the dice on day 3 & hopefuly we dont see snake eyes. The scouts have definately done their homework in the past on late round finds & hopefully we will see 2-3 of these being contributors in the next few years.

I think Wiiliams & Roberts are stars on this team in 2 years.

 

[Mitch]

Good stuff Mitch. In all seriousness, are you loving Skelton or just so so on him?

I wanted Mike Kafka, AF. And apparently so did the Cardinals, and had they kept the #89 pick, because of the buzz surrounding Kafka in recent weeks I think they would have taken him there.

However, looking on the bright side...neither Kafka nor Skelton is anywhere near ready to play in the NFL...and by the time they are, with Skelton's big arm and surprising mobility, he may be head and shoulders better than perhaps all of the QBs in this class, save probably Bradford---if he can stay healthy.

Skelton is Whiz's first QB draftee in Arizona and he and Chris Miller will groom him well. He's in a great situation here.

And look at it this way...another great positive of what happened is O'Brien Schofield. I was distraught that we passed on Jerry Hughes, but we got a special one instead in Schofield.

The way I look at this draft:

Nights 1 &2: Immediate contributors in Williams, Washington and Roberts.

Day 3: Future Depth and possible starters or key role players.

 

[Mitch]

Very impressed with the positive tenor of this post.

I think many of us are concerned with the CB position. Gotta believe the FO has a plan in place to address this.

The Cardinals have some sort of CB plan in place, Cardiac. They don't ever leave themselves this vulnerable without having a plan. Remember they kept Edge until they drafted Beanie.

My guess is that they like McBride and that they have a veteran UFA ready to sign.

I imagine they will want to groom Calvin on the PS for a year.

 

[Mitch]

Excellent stuff Mitch. I'm on the Skeleton bandwagon especially after watching the ESPN sports science special on him. Mayock had him as his 5th rated qb. His size and football skills are very comparable to Ben Rothlisberger. (note I said football skills only ). I think he can develop into something special.

Hey the arm strength is all there, az jam. For a rookie that's a great start.

 

[Mitch]

Good stuff Mitch. The Redbirds diffantly rolled the dice on day 3 & hopefuly we dont see snake eyes. The scouts have definately done their homework in the past on late round finds & hopefully we will see 2-3 of these being contributors in the next few years.

I think Wiiliams & Roberts are stars on this team in 2 years.

Here's what I think happens Bucky:

Williams backs up Watson, but takes equal snaps and more as the year progresses...kind of like Beanie with TH.

Washington starts as the nickel LB and gets some reps behind Lenon until he's ready to start, probably about Week 8 or 9.

Roberts becomes the #4 WR and #1 PR right away.

Schofield goes on the PUP...and if there's aneed after the bye week for another edge rusher he is activated and used as a situational rusher.

Skelton becomes the #3.

Calvin and Dray to the PS for a year.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The way I look at this draft:

Nights 1 &2: Immediate contributors in Williams, Washington and Roberts.

Day 3: Future Depth and possible starters or key role players.

Totally agree and thats smart drafting IMO. I just put of a post from Don Banks about O'Brien and here it is again. Gets me VERY excited about our potential OLB corp in 2011.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/04/24/draft.day.3.snaps/1.html

• Living in Madison, Wis., these days, I got to three University of Wisconsin home games last fall, and the one player who consistently jumped out at me for the Badgers was senior defensive end O'Brien Schofield, who seemed to be playing in the opposing backfield for most of the afternoon.

Schofield went to the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday in the fourth round, 130th overall. That's a steal, but everyone knows why. Schofield, who will be an outside linebacker in the NFL, blew out his knee on the first day of workouts at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, when he got tied up with Massachusetts offensive tackle Vladmir Ducasse (who went to the Jets in the second round).

Schofield was thought to be a potential first-round pick before the late knee injury, and he might even need a redshirt season of sorts this year as a rookie before he's ready to fully contribute in Arizona. But once he's healthy, the Cardinals have themselves an impact player. Count on it. Or my name's not Mel Kiper.


​

 

[john h]

Excellent stuff Mitch. I'm on the Skeleton bandwagon especially after watching the ESPN sports science special on him. Mayock had him as his 5th rated qb. His size and football skills are very comparable to Ben Rothlisberger. (note I said football skills only ). I think he can develop into something special.

We have Skelton II here at Arkansas. He almost came out this year but was smart enough to know the extra year would really help his draft position. He is 6'8" and 245 and like Skelton has an absolute canon. He is the tallest QB in the SEC. He is from Arkansas and went to Michigan his first year where he started 4 or 5 games. Did not like the coach and transferred back to Arkansas and sat out a year. I don't think we have ever had a 6'8" QB in the NFL but you can bet he will be drafted next year. Where depends on this year. Very mobile.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

We have Skelton II here at Arkansas. He almost came out this year but was smart enough to know the extra year would really help his draft position. He is 6'8" and 245 and like Skelton has an absolute canon. He is the tallest QB in the SEC. He is from Arkansas and went to Michigan his first year where he started 4 or 5 games. Did not like the coach and transferred back to Arkansas and sat out a year. I don't think we have ever had a 6'8" QB in the NFL but you can bet he will be drafted next year. Where depends on this year. Very mobile.

LOL his name is Ryan Mallett and he is a much better prosepct then Skelton. He will be a Top 10 pick next year IMHO and will have Arkansas finish in the top half of the SEC.

 

[joeshmo]

Projected 53 Man Roster:

QB (3): Leinart, Anderson, Skelton
RB (4); Wells, Hightower, Stephens-Howling, Wright
FB (1): TBD
TE (3): Patrick, Becht, TBD
OL (9): Brown, Wells, Sendlein, Lutui, Keith, Bridges, Hadnot, Johnson, TBD
WR (5): Fitzgerald, Breaston, Doucet, Roberts, TBD.

NT (2): Watson, Williams
DE (4): Dockett, Campbell, Iwebema, Branch
OB (6): Haggans, Porter, Brown, Davis, TBD, TBD
IB (4): Hayes, Lenon, Walker, Washington
CB (5): Rodgers-Cromartie, Toler, Adams, TBD, TBD
S (4): Wilson, Rhodes, Ware, Johnson

ST (3): Feely, Graham, Leach

Looking at that I see a severe need for someone to either come in or someone to step up and bolster the SILB depth, CB depth and FB.

 

[az1965]

Here's what I think happens Bucky:

Williams backs up Watson, but takes equal snaps and more as the year progresses...kind of like Beanie with TH.

Washington starts as the nickel LB and gets some reps behind Lenon until he's ready to start, probably about Week 8 or 9.

Roberts becomes the #4 WR and #1 PR right away.

Schofield goes on the PUP...and if there's aneed after the bye week for another edge rusher he is activated and used as a situational rusher.

Skelton becomes the #3.

Calvin and Dray to the PS for a year.

Agree with all except I don't think Washington will start this year at all unless Lenon struggles or, God forbid, there is an injury to a starter LB. That is how Whiz works. But he may get enough snaps.

 

[abomb]

Thanks Mitch!

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I wanted Mike Kafka,

I've always found his play to be senseless, disoriented, but often menacing in it's complexity.

 

[Cardiac]

Here's what I think happens Bucky:

Williams backs up Watson, but takes equal snaps and more as the year progresses...kind of like Beanie with TH.

Washington starts as the nickel LB and gets some reps behind Lenon until he's ready to start, probably about Week 8 or 9.

Roberts becomes the #4 WR and #1 PR right away.

Schofield goes on the PUP...and if there's aneed after the bye week for another edge rusher he is activated and used as a situational rusher.

Skelton becomes the #3.

Calvin and Dray to the PS for a year.

This all makes perfect sense. In watching RG and Whis during their presser I got the impression that Calvin is epected to compete with Toler and be on the roster this year.

 

[JeffGollin]

Everyone else in our division won high praise from the pundits, but part of the reason had to do with moves made by various teams "that made big news" (including drafting highly-rated athletes, manouvering up and down, picking glamor players etc.)

The Cardinals did not have as sexy a draft as Seattle, the Niners or StL but I think we had a football-solid, workmanlike draft.

Three of our seven picks should help us in the short run: Williams should make us tougher and deeper inside. Washington will be a speedier, though smaller and greener replacement for Dansby. Roberts should help us in the slot as #4 behind Fitz, Breaston and Doucet.

The other four picks were longer-range rolls of the dice. The raw Skelton. The CB from Troy who missed school. The highly-rated LB with the knee. The blocking TE also with a knee history.

Unaddressed were (a) depth on the O-line (which we probably can live with and, in any case, will have to) and (b) with the trade of McFadden, we've become greener and no deeper (i.e. one injury away from disaster) at CB. Note - there is buzz that we added UDFA's AJ Jefferson (a green but DRC-athletic CB) and Knips (in the mix among OT prospects). There's also the Alan Faneca issue (although Joeshmo feels his play disintegrated badly last year with the Jets. But if Faneca could somehow bring something to the table and we could sign him...).

Bottom line - We helped ourselves immediately at NT, OLB and #4 WR and planted a few seeds/rolled a few dice at QB, CB, LB and TE. We'll have work with what we've got on the O-line and are exposed depthwise at CB.

Given the hand we were dealt (#26 or thereabouts going in), we did about as well as could be expected.

But no one other than hard-core Cardinal fans will know this, because NFL Net and ESPN have, by and large turned us into an "invisible team."

 

[WildBB]

Draft Praise for the Cardinals:

1. Being pro-active. Refreshingly proactive, at that.
2. Beating other teams to Williams, Washington, Roberts and Schofield.
3. Not having to pay CB Bryant McFadden $5M (more than Dockett this year---and the report out of Pittsburgh is they are working on a restructred deal---no wonder---perhaps the Cardinals offered him that and he refused) yup, no $5M for BMF to not have any idea where the ball is another year...and adding the $5M to put toward post-draft FA signings such as G Alan Faneca (still a mauler and a huge upgrade over Reggie Wells...gave up 4 sacks last year, but that may be improved on this year) and CB DeShea Townsend (feisty, smart, aggressive, fits Henderson's style) or Ken Lucas (has good size and competitive spirit).
4. Fortifying the middle of the defense.
5. Keeping the WR corps deep in talent and one of the NFL's elite.
6. Adding talent and depth at OLB for the future.
7. Adding a great armed QB with ideal size and impressive athletic ability.
8. Adding major talent to the return game.
9. Not giving up any more picks for 2011 than the 7th they gave the Jets in the Rhodes deal.
10. Showing once again the scouting ability to find talent in unlikely places.

Projected 53 Man Roster:

Still Some Work to Do. As we saw this weekend, the rest of the NFC West is getting stronger. We are STILL the two-time defending NFC West Champs...and this Birdgang intends to maintain its nest atop the rest!

Thanks for everyone's efforts this weekend...the info and articles and the great posts. There's no better place for Cardinals info than right here at ASFN!

Me Happy, You Happy...... Great work this draft season scouting the draft as allways WMitch! Thanks a bunch....you keep it lively.

 

[WildBB]

Everyone else in our division won high praise from the pundits, but part of the reason had to do with moves made by various teams "that made big news" (including drafting highly-rated athletes, manouvering up and down, picking glamor players etc.)

The Cardinals did not have as sexy a draft as Seattle, the Niners or StL but I think we had a football-solid, workmanlike draft.

Quality over quantity. I think we ended the drought in the 3rd too....But I still have high hopes for Rashad.

 

[conraddobler]

Everyone else in our division won high praise from the pundits, but part of the reason had to do with moves made by various teams "that made big news" (including drafting highly-rated athletes, manouvering up and down, picking glamor players etc.)

The Cardinals did not have as sexy a draft as Seattle, the Niners or StL but I think we had a football-solid, workmanlike draft.

Three of our seven picks should help us in the short run: Williams should make us tougher and deeper inside. Washington will be a speedier, though smaller and greener replacement for Dansby. Roberts should help us in the slot as #4 behind Fitz, Breaston and Doucet.

The other four picks were longer-range rolls of the dice. The raw Skelton. The CB from Troy who missed school. The highly-rated LB with the knee. The blocking TE also with a knee history.

Unaddressed were (a) depth on the O-line (which we probably can live with and, in any case, will have to) and (b) with the trade of McFadden, we've become greener and no deeper (i.e. one injury away from disaster) at CB. Note - there is buzz that we added UDFA's AJ Jefferson (a green but DRC-athletic CB) and Knips (in the mix among OT prospects). There's also the Alan Faneca issue (although Joeshmo feels his play disintegrated badly last year with the Jets. But if Faneca could somehow bring something to the table and we could sign him...).

Bottom line - We helped ourselves immediately at NT, OLB and #4 WR and planted a few seeds/rolled a few dice at QB, CB, LB and TE. We'll have work with what we've got on the O-line and are exposed depthwise at CB.

Given the hand we were dealt (#26 or thereabouts going in), we did about as well as could be expected.

But no one other than hard-core Cardinal fans will know this, because NFL Net and ESPN have, by and large turned us into an "invisible team."

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/...etwork&page=nfl/news/newstest.aspx?id=4306724

That guy gave us an A-

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...lts-final-32-team-grades-for-all-seven-rounds

That guy gave us a C.

Personally I would of given us a solid B, nothing spectacular but for where we were, like you said, very solid effort.

A lot depends on how they ultimately work out, as always.

 

[Chopper0080]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/...etwork&page=nfl/news/newstest.aspx?id=4306724

That guy gave us an A-

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...lts-final-32-team-grades-for-all-seven-rounds

That guy gave us a C.

Personally I would of given us a solid B, nothing spectacular but for where we were, like you said, very solid effort.

A lot depends on how they ultimately work out, as always.

I would give us a C+. (for now)

We took several players that probably won't contribute this year in an offseason where we have lost a significant number on contributers. If Schofield turns into a player in 2011, then this grade goes up. If D Washington can physically stay on the field in 2010, this grade goes up. If Roberts can be a weapon in our punt return game, this grade goes up. Skelton is a wash, and if either our 6th or 7th round pick make the roster, not practice squad, the grade goes up.

 

[Catfish]

Nice workup Mitch-----I am really liking this draft. It has tremendous upside !!!

 

[bg7brd]

Nice workup Mitch-----I am really liking this draft. It has tremendous upside !!!

me too.

 

[joeshmo]

1. Being pro-active. Refreshingly proactive, at that.

Just to add something to this observation.

Out of the our 7 draft picks only 2 were picked with our original draft pick, the 1st and 7th round. 5 of the 7 picks were done with draft picks gained or switched through trades.