Cardinals' Mock FA & Draft #1

[Mitch]

UFA Signings:

Biggest Splash #1:

RB Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars are letting him test the market where he gets in a meeting with BA&SK and signs a 3 year deal that day.

Biggest Splash #2:

LT Brandon Albert. Not only will BA&SK make it a priority to sign Albert, the deal will be cap friendly and very reasonable.

Biggest Splash #3:

LB Karlos Dansby. Gets a three year incentive laden deal.

Biggest Splash #4:

K Graham Gano. BA&SK willing to pay him top dollars to come to Arizona.

Biggest Splash #5:

P Dave Zastudil. Gets a good raise.

Others of Note:

RT Eric Winston
OLB Matt Shaughnessy
TE Jim Dray
TE Jake Ballard
C Mike Gibson
DE Marcus Bernard (RFA)
DE Ronald Talley (RFA)
CB Bryan McCann

Draft:

20. WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon St. Lightning fast and tremendously productive. Yes there are some other speed WRs in this draft, but Cooks is the very best. Speed WR is a bigger need than TE. See the Colts. Who is more important in their offense, WR T.Y. Hilton or TE Coby Fleener? Cooks is precisely in the T.Y. Hilton mold.

52. OLB Trevor Reilly, Utah. Has the size, strength and speed Todd Bowles loves on the edge.

84. DE/DT Will Sutton, Arizona St. Short height causes him to slide, but no way past the eager Cardinals at #84. Factors immediately into the DE rotation, especially as an inside pass rusher.

116. S Deone Bucannon, Washington St. Has the size, range and speed the Cardinals need. Good tough hitter too. Closes quickly on the ball.

148. CB Ross Cockrell, Duke. Having watched Duke many times this year, Cockrell, imho, was their defensive MVP. Good size, agility and speed. makes big plays at big times.

180. TE Chris Coyle, Arizona St. Strong competitor who will be given chance to win a roster spot as a rookie.

 

[WildBB]

UFA Signings:

Biggest Splash #1:

RB Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars are letting him test the market where he gets in a meeting with BA&SK and signs a 3 year deal that day.

Biggest Splash #2:

LT Brandon Albert. Not only will BA&SK make it a priority to sign Albert, the deal will be cap friendly and very reasonable.

Biggest Splash #3:

LB Karlos Dansby. Gets a three year incentive laden deal.

Biggest Splash #4:

K Graham Gano. BA&SK willing to pay him top dollars to come to Arizona.

Biggest Splash #5:

P Dave Zastudil. Gets a good raise.

Others of Note:

RT Eric Winston
OLB Matt Shaughnessy
TE Jim Dray
TE Jake Ballard
C Mike Gibson
DE Marcus Bernard (RFA)
DE Ronald Talley (RFA)
CB Bryan McCann

Draft:

20. WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon St. Lightning fast and tremendously productive. Yes there are some other speed WRs in this draft, but Cooks is the very best. Speed WR is a bigger need than TE. See the Colts. Who is more important in their offense, WR T.Y. Hilton or TE Coby Fleener? Cooks is precisely in the T.Y. Hilton mold.

52. OLB Trevor Reilly, Utah. Has the size, strength and speed Todd Bowles loves on the edge.

84. DE/DT Will Sutton, Arizona St. Short height causes him to slide, but no way past the eager Cardinals at #84. Factors immediately into the DE rotation, especially as an inside pass rusher.

116. S Deone Bucannon, Washington St. Has the size, range and speed the Cardinals need. Good tough hitter too. Closes quickly on the ball.

148. CB Ross Cockrell, Duke. Having watched Duke many times this year, Cockrell, imho, was their defensive MVP. Good size, agility and speed. makes big plays at big times.

180. TE Chris Coyle, Arizona St. Strong competitor who will be given chance to win a roster spot as a rookie.

Nice draft. Now you have to stick with it for the next four months! Jk......

 

[kerouac9]

Where is the money for all those free agents going to come from?

MJD on a three-year deal? You're talking three years, $18-24M, $10M guaranteed? That's a $7M cap number in Year 1, and your free agency is over.

Why is Branden Albert, in his first free agent contract, taking a "modest" deal? He's going to get five years, $40M with $15M guaranteed from someone.

 

[Buckybird]

Where is the money for all those free agents going to come from?

 

[Buckybird]

Good thoughts & analysis as always Mitch, but I do wonder all the $$$ would come from to get those deals done? I think Keim is going to be very proactive in every phase to improve this team but NFL teams aren't printing monopoly $$$ like the government is

Yes we need a speed WR badly...we've only been saying it for years now , but we also need a differance maker as an edge rusher too...just like we've been saying for years now.

With that said, how bout this?

1) Van Noy, OLB

2) James Hurst, OT

2) McCarron, QB (trade up)

3) Andre Williams, RB

5) Ryan Carrethers, DT

6) Tevin Reese, WR there is your TY Hilton... Seen him play MANY a game

 

[slanidrac16]

UFA Signings:

Biggest Splash #1:

RB Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars are letting him test the market where he gets in a meeting with BA&SK and signs a 3 year deal that day.

Biggest Splash #2:

LT Brandon Albert. Not only will BA&SK make it a priority to sign Albert, the deal will be cap friendly and very reasonable.

Biggest Splash #3:

LB Karlos Dansby. Gets a three year incentive laden deal.

Biggest Splash #4:

K Graham Gano. BA&SK willing to pay him top dollars to come to Arizona.

Biggest Splash #5:

P Dave Zastudil. Gets a good raise.

Others of Note:

RT Eric Winston
OLB Matt Shaughnessy
TE Jim Dray
TE Jake Ballard
C Mike Gibson
DE Marcus Bernard (RFA)
DE Ronald Talley (RFA)
CB Bryan McCann

Draft:

20. WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon St. Lightning fast and tremendously productive. Yes there are some other speed WRs in this draft, but Cooks is the very best. Speed WR is a bigger need than TE. See the Colts. Who is more important in their offense, WR T.Y. Hilton or TE Coby Fleener? Cooks is precisely in the T.Y. Hilton mold.

52. OLB Trevor Reilly, Utah. Has the size, strength and speed Todd Bowles loves on the edge.

84. DE/DT Will Sutton, Arizona St. Short height causes him to slide, but no way past the eager Cardinals at #84. Factors immediately into the DE rotation, especially as an inside pass rusher.

116. S Deone Bucannon, Washington St. Has the size, range and speed the Cardinals need. Good tough hitter too. Closes quickly on the ball.

148. CB Ross Cockrell, Duke. Having watched Duke many times this year, Cockrell, imho, was their defensive MVP. Good size, agility and speed. makes big plays at big times.

180. TE Chris Coyle, Arizona St. Strong competitor who will be given chance to win a roster spot as a rookie.

Love ya Mitch, but this is beyond real.

No way we sign Jones-Drew. Could probably get Joique Bell or keep Mendenhall for much cheaper.

ALberts would be a #1 splash IMO.

Dansby is a top priority and I hope we can get this done.

Ganos is the top kicker available and I'm not sure we would break the bank to get him.

See no reason why Zas would want to leave.

I can see us resigning Winston, Shaunessy and 1 of the TE's.

I don't see us taking a WR at 20. I think an edge rusher will be our choice.

Also, no QB mentioned anywhere.

Mitch , what do you think of qb Jim Garropolo from EIU?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Where is the money for all those free agents going to come from?

MJD on a three-year deal? You're talking three years, $18-24M, $10M guaranteed? That's a $7M cap number in Year 1, and your free agency is over.

Why is Branden Albert, in his first free agent contract, taking a "modest" deal? He's going to get five years, $40M with $15M guaranteed from someone.

not to mention that we also were able to resign pretty much every key FA that we wanted to...and got Los to sign an "incentive leaden deal"...which just ain't gonna happen.

I'd love to see all of the above happen (save MJD. That guy is done), but it all reads like pie in the sky thinking to me.

 

[overseascardfan]

I hope ARZ signs Eugene Monroe rather than Albert. Monroe is younger and I believe he will come cheaper than Albert. If $$$ permits, maybe go after Dennis Pitta.

FA:
Monroe
Pitta
Dansby
Winston
Mendenhall
Cason

Draft:
1 - CB Darqueze Dennard
2 - OLB Jackson Jeffcoat
3 - RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas
4 - OT Seantrel Henderson
5 - FS Tre Boston
6 - DE Cassius Marsh

 

[cardfaninfl]

Another WR in the first round? Matt Millen thinks this is a bad idea.

 

[Brian]

All of the FA stuff is predicated on Fitz re-structuring his contract. If he doesn't, bye-bye Albert and bye-bye Dansby. Maybe one or the other actually, but not both. Peterson is due to get paid very soon also.

Edit: Also, getting a RB of MJD's caliber is easy to do in the draft. You would also be getting fresher and younger at that position, with more years of control and a friendlier cap number. I agree with Cheese, MJD is done.

 

[clif]

MJD would be a complete waste of time. I also cannot see this team taking a WR in the first round. Granted we need speed at the position, but there is no real reason to take any of the guys that will be there at 20.

 

[clif]

Also how is resigning CB Bryan McCann of note?

 

[Buckybird]

Also how is resigning CB Bryan McCann of note?

Why? He's trash Clif

Guys like him are a dime a dozen imo

 

[Brian]

Why? He's trash Clif

Guys like him are a dime a dozen imo

That's his point Bucky.

 

[cardpa]

UFA Signings:

Biggest Splash #1:

RB Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars are letting him test the market where he gets in a meeting with BA&SK and signs a 3 year deal that day.

Biggest Splash #2:

LT Brandon Albert. Not only will BA&SK make it a priority to sign Albert, the deal will be cap friendly and very reasonable.

Biggest Splash #3:

LB Karlos Dansby. Gets a three year incentive laden deal.

Biggest Splash #4:

K Graham Gano. BA&SK willing to pay him top dollars to come to Arizona.

Biggest Splash #5:

P Dave Zastudil. Gets a good raise.

Others of Note:

RT Eric Winston
OLB Matt Shaughnessy
TE Jim Dray
TE Jake Ballard
C Mike Gibson
DE Marcus Bernard (RFA)
DE Ronald Talley (RFA)
CB Bryan McCann

Draft:

20. WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon St. Lightning fast and tremendously productive. Yes there are some other speed WRs in this draft, but Cooks is the very best. Speed WR is a bigger need than TE. See the Colts. Who is more important in their offense, WR T.Y. Hilton or TE Coby Fleener? Cooks is precisely in the T.Y. Hilton mold.

52. OLB Trevor Reilly, Utah. Has the size, strength and speed Todd Bowles loves on the edge.

84. DE/DT Will Sutton, Arizona St. Short height causes him to slide, but no way past the eager Cardinals at #84. Factors immediately into the DE rotation, especially as an inside pass rusher.

116. S Deone Bucannon, Washington St. Has the size, range and speed the Cardinals need. Good tough hitter too. Closes quickly on the ball.

148. CB Ross Cockrell, Duke. Having watched Duke many times this year, Cockrell, imho, was their defensive MVP. Good size, agility and speed. makes big plays at big times.

180. TE Chris Coyle, Arizona St. Strong competitor who will be given chance to win a roster spot as a rookie.

Nice Mitch however I do differ on a couple of things. First I don't see McCann or Talley being resigned and I don't see a TE being drafted if they resign Ballard and Dray. I was actually thinking they might go after MJD too or Bell out of Detroit. I'm not sure they can get Gano although it would be nice.

 

[gmabel830]

Also how is resigning CB Bryan McCann of note?

McCann was awesome on special teams at the end of the year. I really hope we have Bethel and McCann as our back end secondary guys due to their special teams value next year.

 

[GoldGloveschmidt]

Bucannon - can't imagine him being available that late.

 

[Buckybird]

That's his point Bucky.

Total misread on my part...hungover like a **** lol

Sorry Clif

 

[Arizona's Finest]

maybe mitch intimating Fitz is cut? only way we have that much money.

i dont want MJD at all. give me Albert, Pitta, and resign Los, Winston, and Cason. Draft BPA 1-7.

 

[Chopper0080]

I hate to say something isnt't feasible but this is a stretch.

A couple points...

1: FA, in terms of major signings, is a pick 2 scenario between Dansby, Shaughnessy and Albert. I don't see a way to sign all 3.

2: RB and #3 WR. When looking at how these positions will be filled, the % of offensive snaps needs to be considered. Replacing Roberts and Mendenhall is replacing a WR who received 57% of offensive snaps and replacing a RB who received 43% of offensive snaps. I'm not sure the Cardinals are spending a 1st round pick and 4+ mil of that level of impact. WRs like Robert Herron, Josh Huff, D'Anthony Thomas all could be had 4th rnd or later and bring you similar skills to Cooks (who I really like).

 

[Jetstream Green]

Where is the money for all those free agents going to come from?

MJD on a three-year deal? You're talking three years, $18-24M, $10M guaranteed? That's a $7M cap number in Year 1, and your free agency is over.

Why is Branden Albert, in his first free agent contract, taking a "modest" deal? He's going to get five years, $40M with $15M guaranteed from someone.

THIS...again and again and again

 

[Twist18]

I hope ARZ signs Eugene Monroe rather than Albert. Monroe is younger and I believe he will come cheaper than Albert. If $$$ permits, maybe go after Dennis Pitta.

FA:
Monroe
Pitta
Dansby
Winston
Mendenhall
Cason

Draft:
1 - CB Darqueze Dennard
2 - OLB Jackson Jeffcoat
3 - RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas
4 - OT Seantrel Henderson
5 - FS Tre Boston
6 - DE Cassius Marsh

This guy has BA written all over him!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I don't think the Cards are going to spend any FA money on a RB. This is a pretty strong RB draft class and quality can be picked up in round 3, or later.

I do think the Cards will sign a LT in free aganecy but I also think their second, or other, significant FA signing will be a Safety. There is a boatlaod of talented safeties due to hit the market. Hopefully that saturates the market and the Cards can get a significant upgrade with a team friendly contract.

I think the Cards sign Albert, re-sign Dansby, a SS(Bernard Pollard would fit the bill), and a Kicker.

I also think the Cards re-sign Winston and possibly Shaughnessy but that's about it.

Shaughnessy may not even be a priority and left to walk when you figure Acho, Okafor, Alexander, and a possible draft pick are all in the picture next year. You can only keep so many LB's and Dwash, Dansby, Minter, Abraham, Acho, Okafor, Alexander, maybe Brinkley, and even Bernard and Moch along with a possible draft pick makes for a very crowded unit.

 

[Cardiac]

I don't think the Cards are going to spend any FA money on a RB. This is a pretty strong RB draft class and quality can be picked up in round 3, or later.

I do think the Cards will sign a LT in free aganecy but I also think their second, or other, significant FA signing will be a Safety. There is a boatlaod of talented safeties due to hit the market. Hopefully that saturates the market and the Cards can get a significant upgrade with a team friendly contract.

I think the Cards sign Albert, re-sign Dansby, a SS(Bernard Pollard would fit the bill), and a Kicker.

I also think the Cards re-sign Winston and possibly Shaughnessy but that's about it.

Shaughnessy may not even be a priority and left to walk when you figure Acho, Okafor, Alexander, and a possible draft pick are all in the picture next year. You can only keep so many LB's and Dwash, Dansby, Minter, Abraham, Acho, Okafor, Alexander, maybe Brinkley, and even Bernard and Moch along with a possible draft pick makes for a very crowded unit.

Very much agree with you, and great point about the LBing crew #'s. Didn't Shaughnessy start off as part of the Dline rotation though?

 

[Mitch]

I don't think the Cards are going to spend any FA money on a RB. This is a pretty strong RB draft class and quality can be picked up in round 3, or later.

I do think the Cards will sign a LT in free aganecy but I also think their second, or other, significant FA signing will be a Safety. There is a boatlaod of talented safeties due to hit the market. Hopefully that saturates the market and the Cards can get a significant upgrade with a team friendly contract.

I think the Cards sign Albert, re-sign Dansby, a SS(Bernard Pollard would fit the bill), and a Kicker.

I also think the Cards re-sign Winston and possibly Shaughnessy but that's about it.

Shaughnessy may not even be a priority and left to walk when you figure Acho, Okafor, Alexander, and a possible draft pick are all in the picture next year. You can only keep so many LB's and Dwash, Dansby, Minter, Abraham, Acho, Okafor, Alexander, maybe Brinkley, and even Bernard and Moch along with a possible draft pick makes for a very crowded unit.

I don't think that BA&SK envision any of the young RBs as a starter and lead back, and I don't think they will have a rookie draft pick start, so it could be they will re-sign Mendenhall or go after a UFA RB. I just have a sneaking suspicion that MJD is the type of player they would make a significant play for.

The problem with Bernard Pollard is that he's only adequate in coverage and the Cardinals need a versatile SS who can cover TEs.

Good points about the OLB position---the same could hold true for Winston if the Cardinals want to go with Massie and Sowell at RT, assuming they sign a LT.

That said, I think Todd Bowles was very pleased with Shaughnessy and would prefer him to the others. And I think BA prefers Winston to Massie/Sowell, at least for another year.