Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Here is what I am gathering about the players the Cardinals may be targeting at #24 in the upcoming NFL Draft.
QB at #24?
Well, the Cardinals did bring in Brett Hundley from UCLA last week. Now---could it be that they are legitimately considering him at #24?
Need?
I think that BA&SK feel the need is higher than we might think, especially based on recent injuries, contract and age concerns regarding Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton and their uncertainty regarding the prospects of last year's 4th round pick, Logan Thomas.
Thus, if Hundley were on the board at #24 and they like him well enough, would it be a total surprise if they took him? I say, no, it wouldn't be a total surprise.
It is also quite possible that the Cardinals are feigning interest in Hundley in order to attract teams to trade up for the #24 pick so that SK can do what he did last year---trade down to add an extra 3rd round pick.
Bottom Line: Hundley at #24?
I would say no for a couple of reasons: (1) BA has said in the past that when you draft a first round QB you do so with the intention of playing him asap. (2) Hundley doesn't quite seem to fit BA's profile for a QB whereas I think Bryce Petty, Sean Mannion and Garrett Grayson appear to be better fits.
RB at #24?
Todd Gurley, Georgia
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Need?
Yes---but not quite as high as some may think. I think BA&SK already like the combination of Andre Ellington, Kerwynn Williams, Marion Grice and Robert Hughes. BA mentioned all four of them in his post FA interview---liking Ellington's speed, Williams' rushing between the tackles ability, Grice coming on as a goal-line RB and Hughes' power (BA said that "every time we handed him the ball he powered for good yards---we ought to hand the ball off more often to him.")
Gurley has the ACL limitations, but possesses All-World talent. Gordon is very gifted and super productive.
Bottom Line: Gurley or Gordon at #24?
I think not---especially seeing as BA already stated that there are 10 good RBs in rounds 2-4 that they said they like. However, the Cardinals once passed on Adrian Peterson because of injury concerns and thus with Gurley's talent, he might be the BPA if the board shakes out that way.
TE at #24?
Maxx Wlliams, Minnesota.
Need?
After using a 2nd round pick on troy Niklas and having seen real promise in Darren Fells---and BA said he expects John Carlson to have a much more productive year this year---I would say the need is not high. A TE in Day 3 is possible, but not in rounds 1-3.
Bottom Line: Williams at #24?
Highly doubtful.
WR at #24?
Devin Smith, Ohio St.
Breshad Perriman, Central Florida
Dorian Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
Need?
Higher than people may think. BA has cited the need to add speed at WR and thus i listed the three fastest deep threats who are likely to be on the board at #24.
Smith has an uncanny ability to get open deep and to track down deep passes. Perriman, who just ran a blistering 4.2 at his Pro Day is rising like mercury up draft boards. If his hands were a little more consistent he could be in the mix in the top half of the first round, as could DGB, who is the Randy Moss of this draft class---a WR with world class skills and off the field issues.
Bottom Line: Smith, Perriman or Green-Beckham at #24?
I think that if a desired pass rusher isn't there at #24, and any or all of these three WRs are there, there is a pretty good chance that BA&SK will add the deep speed wide-out dimension to the offense. Fitz only has two more years and is now a slot WR anyway and the Cardinals do have a 5th year option on Michael Floyd which means he might only have one or two years left on his deal.
OL at #24?
La'El Collins
Cameron Erving
Need?
With the additions of LG Mike Iupati and C/G A.Q. Shipley and the trust that RG Jonathan Cooper will carpe the diem this year, the offensive line has been sufficiently addressed this off-season. However, talents like Collins and Erving are pretty difficult to pass up if they are available.
Bottom Line: Collins or Erving at #24?
I do not think either one of them will be available...but of the two, if Erving makes it to #24, because of how dominant he looked at center and because of his unique versatility, he would have to be a very attractive choice.
Thus, if the Cardinals decide to take an offensive player at #24, I think the top choices would be:
1. Cameron Erving, C, Florida St.
2. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio St.
3. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Your thoughts?
QB at #24?
Well, the Cardinals did bring in Brett Hundley from UCLA last week. Now---could it be that they are legitimately considering him at #24?
Need?
I think that BA&SK feel the need is higher than we might think, especially based on recent injuries, contract and age concerns regarding Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton and their uncertainty regarding the prospects of last year's 4th round pick, Logan Thomas.
Thus, if Hundley were on the board at #24 and they like him well enough, would it be a total surprise if they took him? I say, no, it wouldn't be a total surprise.
It is also quite possible that the Cardinals are feigning interest in Hundley in order to attract teams to trade up for the #24 pick so that SK can do what he did last year---trade down to add an extra 3rd round pick.
Bottom Line: Hundley at #24?
I would say no for a couple of reasons: (1) BA has said in the past that when you draft a first round QB you do so with the intention of playing him asap. (2) Hundley doesn't quite seem to fit BA's profile for a QB whereas I think Bryce Petty, Sean Mannion and Garrett Grayson appear to be better fits.
RB at #24?
Todd Gurley, Georgia
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Need?
Yes---but not quite as high as some may think. I think BA&SK already like the combination of Andre Ellington, Kerwynn Williams, Marion Grice and Robert Hughes. BA mentioned all four of them in his post FA interview---liking Ellington's speed, Williams' rushing between the tackles ability, Grice coming on as a goal-line RB and Hughes' power (BA said that "every time we handed him the ball he powered for good yards---we ought to hand the ball off more often to him.")
Gurley has the ACL limitations, but possesses All-World talent. Gordon is very gifted and super productive.
Bottom Line: Gurley or Gordon at #24?
I think not---especially seeing as BA already stated that there are 10 good RBs in rounds 2-4 that they said they like. However, the Cardinals once passed on Adrian Peterson because of injury concerns and thus with Gurley's talent, he might be the BPA if the board shakes out that way.
TE at #24?
Maxx Wlliams, Minnesota.
Need?
After using a 2nd round pick on troy Niklas and having seen real promise in Darren Fells---and BA said he expects John Carlson to have a much more productive year this year---I would say the need is not high. A TE in Day 3 is possible, but not in rounds 1-3.
Bottom Line: Williams at #24?
Highly doubtful.
WR at #24?
Devin Smith, Ohio St.
Breshad Perriman, Central Florida
Dorian Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
Need?
Higher than people may think. BA has cited the need to add speed at WR and thus i listed the three fastest deep threats who are likely to be on the board at #24.
Smith has an uncanny ability to get open deep and to track down deep passes. Perriman, who just ran a blistering 4.2 at his Pro Day is rising like mercury up draft boards. If his hands were a little more consistent he could be in the mix in the top half of the first round, as could DGB, who is the Randy Moss of this draft class---a WR with world class skills and off the field issues.
Bottom Line: Smith, Perriman or Green-Beckham at #24?
I think that if a desired pass rusher isn't there at #24, and any or all of these three WRs are there, there is a pretty good chance that BA&SK will add the deep speed wide-out dimension to the offense. Fitz only has two more years and is now a slot WR anyway and the Cardinals do have a 5th year option on Michael Floyd which means he might only have one or two years left on his deal.
OL at #24?
La'El Collins
Cameron Erving
Need?
With the additions of LG Mike Iupati and C/G A.Q. Shipley and the trust that RG Jonathan Cooper will carpe the diem this year, the offensive line has been sufficiently addressed this off-season. However, talents like Collins and Erving are pretty difficult to pass up if they are available.
Bottom Line: Collins or Erving at #24?
I do not think either one of them will be available...but of the two, if Erving makes it to #24, because of how dominant he looked at center and because of his unique versatility, he would have to be a very attractive choice.
Thus, if the Cardinals decide to take an offensive player at #24, I think the top choices would be:
1. Cameron Erving, C, Florida St.
2. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio St.
3. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Your thoughts?
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