Now this is my fantasy mock. It wont come to this but i can dream.
The CBA won’t be signed before the Draft so a lot of teams will wait until the draft or after to sign Free agents.
After The Draft FA pickups: We should have around 25-27M after we sign our own players.
Free Agents we sign: 1EA – (High Priced), 3 – (Mid Priced)
LOG – Logan Mankins – (High Priced) – 7-9 M - One of the nastiest LG in the league. This would really improve the left side and protect the QB and Arizona goes all out on this guy. Russ is singing Billy Idol songs because he is so happy. I don’t think he will get the Tag so I am projecting him as a FA.
LOT – Jared Gaither –Balt – (Mid Priced) 3-5M. They cannot sign all their players and M. Oher has already taken over the LT spot. He was out this year due to a bad disk and is almost back to norm and should be by training camp.
OLB – Matt Roth –Cleveland – (Mid Priced) 3-5M - Stout run stuffing OLB that has improved each year in Cleveland.
TE - Kevin Boss – NYG – (Mid Priced) 2-4M- Very good blocker and a TE who can make the catch over the middle. Major upgrade for the Cardinals. Could be there best pick-up in years.
5 mil – back-up and role and special team players.
Draft
QB – Kevin Knob - Philadelphia – Arizona Trades a 2012 second and 5throunder for K. Knob. Young player who is just coming into his prime. Some like him and some don’t. I like him. Yes, Yes, Yes I know that its 2 picks but the Cardinals where in a bidding war and that’s what it will cost us.
1. Carolina – Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn – Carolina needs a DT and they also take the best player in the draft.
2. Denver – Patrick Peterson – CB/S – LSU – with C. Bailey32 yrs old and a FA and P. Cox having legal problems this should be a no brainer.
3. Buffalo - Da’Quan Bowers – DE/OLB - – Buff needs everything across the front 7 and Da’Quan Bowers would be a great fit.
4. Cincinnati Trades # 4 to Detroit for # 13, 44 and 2012 2nd rounder –Prince Amukamara CB – Nebraska – Detroit gets a #1 CB that they sorely need and pay out there nose but he is worth it. This will really help their backfield.
5. Arizona Trades #5 to Tenn for #8 and #72 & 104. Vince Young is to be let go or traded. Kerry Collins and C. Sims are Free Agents. The Titans have no QB under contract. They pay the price and gamble with Bud Adams grace.
Tennessee Select Blaine Gabbath QB Missouri. Now will Bud Adams gamble with no CBA in effect to get his QB of the future? I think so
6. Cleveland – A.J. Green WR – Georgia- The Browns finally get a #1 receiver that they really need. Enough said.
7. S.F. - Von Miller- OLB – Texas A&M – After the Senior bowl Miller has shot up the board from a mid 1st rounder to a Top 10. SF really needs an Edge Rusher and Miller fits that description. Miller is extremely disruptive pass rusher, is great at collapsing the pocket and forcing quarterbacks to step up into quickly closing space but sometimes makes bad decisions by getting too deep in his pass rush. That’s correctable by coaching. Miller has a high motor, is asked to blitz constantly and does not stop pursuing the quarterback until the ball is downfield which SF really needs. He needs to add 5-10 lbs to help stop the run which Miller needs more work on. Good upgrade for SF.
8. Arizona – AZ trades #8 and 72(from Tenn) to Minnesota for # 12 & 43 –Minnesota had to up the ante, with Jax and Miami trying to trade up. With no 3rd rounder Minnesota had to really entice the Cardinals and the Cardinals accept the offer.
Minnesota selects – Ryan Mallett – QB – Arkansas – T. Jackson is not the future and Minnesota. Joe Webb was the starter at the end of the season. Jackson can start and Mallett can be groomed for the 2012 season or start later in the 2011 season.
9. Dallas - Marcel Dareus DT – Alabama – Dallas doesn’t really have any push from the RDE spot. Marcel has the ability to rush the passer and penetrate. Good fit for Dallas.
10. Washington – Jake Locker –QB – Washington- Shanny bullies the front office and gets the QB that he has wanted since the Senior Bowl.
11. Houston – Robert Quinn- OLB – North Carolina – Quinn drops a few spots with his off field problems. The Texan’s are very happy as that’s a major upgrade for then
12. Arizona - Justin Houston – OLB - Georgia – Arizona really needs to upgrade their 3/4OLB and Houston will start of on the LOLB spot. Plus they traded down twice from 5 and get extra picks to upgrade their Defense.
Arizona’s Picks:
1- 12 –Justin Houston - OLB – Georgia - I had A. Smith here but after really looking at to film on Houston I think he would be a perfect fit for the Cardinals at OLB.11 sacks in 2010. He already plays OLB in Georgia’s ¾ defense so he knows how to play the position. He is strong as an Ox and is very quick off the snap, times the count well and has an explosive first step off the line. Have the intangibles to be a big-time pass rusher and solid all-around player and leader in the NFL because of good motor and strong work ethic.
2A - 34 -– Arizona trades # 38 and #133 to Denver for pick #34.
Arizona selects - Martez Wilson SILB – Wilson will surprise a few people with his play and is a major upgrade for the SILB. Wilson is a stout backer who can interrupt guards and occupy blocks, but he also possesses the instincts and sizzle to make plays inside on a regular basis. Can also play OLB with his size and strength. No matter what some will say but he is a perfect fit for our 3/4 Defense.
2B – 43- Phil Taylor NT/DT – Baylor - Huge, powerful, Nasty NT. When he stays low, can stack the point, is impossible to move off the ball, and can split the double team. Strong arms and hands. Keeps blockers off of his body. Nice swim, spin and shed. Excellent quickness and athleticism for a man of his size. Has also dropped back in the zone blitz situations. Nasty hand punch that drives back the OG/C. Paired with Williams/Dockett/Campbell would make this front line fantastic.
3A – 69- John Moffitt – OG/C – Wisconsin – Smash mouth OG that will push D. Lutui for his spot right off the bat or L. Sendlein. Good run blocker, with very solid power... Stays low and generally plays with good leverage. Pulls reasonably well, can get to the second level. Carries his pads low. Real good pass blocker. R. Grimm is singing “O Happy Day”.
3B – 74- Colin Kaeperkick – QB – Nevada - Extremely productive, had over 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards. Constantly improving as a passer, completion percentage has increased each season he has played at Nevada. Good decision maker who does not turn over the ball. Great team leader on and off the field. Has played in the Pistol Offense and has to learn on how to take a snap under center. Needs to sit a year or two to learn under Knob with Skelton and could be a starter in the future.
4A – 102 – Casey Matthews WILB – Good blood line. Sideline to sideline player who will backup Washington and could add a few pounds to be better against the run. Just a really good football player.
4B – 104 – Joseph Barksdale – OT – LSU
5B – 136 - Ricardo Lockette – WR – Fort valley St-6-3,200, 4.4. This kid is moving up the board. Has good soft hands and runs a 4.4. When he is done with the combine his stock will rise fast. You want a speedster with good hands that knows how to stretch the field well here he is. This is my sleeper pick.
6A – 166 – Curtis Marsh –CB - Utah State
6B – 179 – Eric Hagg – SS - Nebraska
