Cards' Draft Order

[Mitch]

OK...the numbers are now set:

Round 1: 16

Round 2: 50

Round 3: 81

Round 4: 116

Round 5: 149

Round 6: 185

Round 7: 225

Just thinking that this will be, most likely, the first year in a long time that the Cardinals will not be drafting an immediate starter in the first round. Last year they drafted T Levi Brown with every intention of starting him at RT. In 2006, it was QB Matt Leinart, and rookie QBs traditionally don't start right away, but by Week 4 he was starter. In 2005, CB Antrel Rolle was inserted at starting LCB from day one. In 2004, WR Larry Fitzgerald was an immediate starter, etc.

For example: if the Cards draft...

(1) a CB at #16...he will likely become the nickel and become the starter in 2009 if Eric Green is not re-signed.

(2) a DE/OLB at #16...he will be groomed by Okeafor and Haggans, and would likely become the starter in place a Haggans in 2009.

(3) a LB at #16...won't start until 2009 when and if Dansby is not re-signed.

(4) a RB at #16...would be the #2 behind Edge for this year.

(5) a OL at #16...the only one who would have a good shot would be G Branden Albert, who could beat out Reggie Wells...but if it's T Jeff Otah or T Chris Williams, they would likely be groomed for a year behind Mike Gandy.

This indicates that the Cardinals are deeper and less vulnerable across the board than in the past. Should be interesting to see what kind of an impact this rookie class can make...this class may be added for depth, special teams and situational duty only.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I agree with your assessment. There are some big playmakers that should still be available at 16. I don't think Branden Albert is worth the #16 pick.

 

[DoTheDew]

What if they pull a curve ball and draft the FS from Miami? Think he would start over Rolle?

 

[HookemCards]

OK...the numbers are now set:

Round 1: 16

Round 2: 50

Round 3: 81

Round 4: 116

Round 5: 149

Round 6: 185

Round 7: 225

Just thinking that this will be, most likely, the first year in a long time that the Cardinals will not be drafting an immediate starter in the first round. Last year they drafted T Levi Brown with every intention of starting him at RT. In 2006, it was QB Matt Leinart, and rookie QBs traditionally don't start right away, but by Week 4 he was starter. In 2005, CB Antrel Rolle was inserted at starting LCB from day one. In 2004, WR Larry Fitzgerald was an immediate starter, etc.

For example: if the Cards draft...

(1) a CB at #16...he will likely become the nickel and become the starter in 2009 if Eric Green is not re-signed.

(2) a DE/OLB at #16...he will be groomed by Okeafor and Haggans, and would likely become the starter in place a Haggans in 2009.

(3) a LB at #16...won't start until 2009 when and if Dansby is not re-signed.

(4) a RB at #16...would be the #2 behind Edge for this year.

(5) a OL at #16...the only one who would have a good shot would be G Branden Albert, who could beat out Reggie Wells...but if it's T Jeff Otah or T Chris Williams, they would likely be groomed for a year behind Mike Gandy.

This indicates that the Cardinals are deeper and less vulnerable across the board than in the past. Should be interesting to see what kind of an impact this rookie class can make...this class may be added for depth, special teams and situational duty only.

Well, I'd like to think that whoever they draft at 16 will push a starter to depth. I guess it isn't mandatory, but would be nice.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

What if they pull a curve ball and draft the FS from Miami? Think he would start over Rolle?

I think that is about the only scenerio I can't see happening.

 

[Mitch]

I agree with your assessment. There are some big playmakers that should still be available at 16. I don't think Branden Albert is worth the #16 pick.

You might change your mind, dream, if you see Mike Mayock's spotlight on him. The guy just flat-out mauls people with his size. great feet and strength.

 

[Mitch]

What if they pull a curve ball and draft the FS from Miami? Think he would start over Rolle?

Great point, except that the coaches think Rolle is a natural at FS and is already counting big bucks on the cap.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

You might change your mind, dream, if you see Mike Mayock's spotlight on him. The guy just flat-out mauls people with his size. great feet and strength.

Nah, I'm pretty set. Deuce is just fine on one side, and Wells had a good year last year.

 

[Mitch]

Nah, I'm pretty set. Deuce is just fine on one side, and Wells had a good year last year.

Wells did improve...but he may never be a mauler...

 

[Mitch]

Actually...the only statter the Cards may add in the draft might be if they draft a punter ike Durrant Brooks or Mike Dragosavich somewhere along the line...but it won't be in the first round, that's for sure.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Wells did improve...but he may never be a mauler...

Neither is Albert. They're essentially the same player (Wells and Albert).

I'd be surprised if we drafted a DE/OLB at #16, but if we did he might compete with Travis LaBoy for the starting Weakside LB job next season. I think that Okeafor has another season on his deal.

 

[joeshmo]

You might change your mind, dream, if you see Mike Mayock's spotlight on him. The guy just flat-out mauls people with his size. great feet and strength.

Albert does make some amazing clip show moments. But he also get beat his fair share of times. He is probably 50-50. Totally inconsistent. Allowed 5 sacks as an OG his senior year, and has been penalized his fair share.

Becuase of the lack of OG talent it seems his actual ability is being raised slightly by the prognasticators.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Albert does make some amazing clip show moments. But he also get beat his fair share of times. He is probably 50-50. Totally inconsistent. Allowed 5 sacks as an OG his senior year, and has been penalized his fair share.

Becuase of the lack of OG talent it seems his actual ability is being raised slightly by the prognasticators.

 

[HookemCards]

Neither is Albert. They're essentially the same player (Wells and Albert).

I'd be surprised if we drafted a DE/OLB at #16, but if we did he might compete with Travis LaBoy for the starting Weakside LB job next season. I think that Okeafor has another season on his deal.

I'd be surprised if we drafted an tweener type. But I wouldn't be surprised at all if we drafted Campbell or Merling. Campbell already has 3-4 end size and Merling just needs to add about 10 lbs. We are very thin at DE, and Dockett clearly wore down last year. I'd rather trade down the the Skins, like Joe suggested or with the Cowboys if they are looking to get Jones. Either of those guys at 21/22 would be good value and fits.

 

[DaisyCutter]

I'd be surprised if we drafted an tweener type. But I wouldn't be surprised at all if we drafted Campbell or Merling. Campbell already has 3-4 end size and Merling just needs to add about 10 lbs. We are very thin at DE, and Dockett clearly wore down last year. I'd rather trade down the the Skins, like Joe suggested or with the Cowboys if they are looking to get Jones. Either of those guys at 21/22 would be good value and fits.

I think that if we draft a DE/OLB, he'll be Derrick Harvey.

IMO, both Campbell and Merling project to DE in our offense (to compete with/replace Antonio Smith), and they're not comfortable fits there.

 

[HookemCards]

I think that if we draft a DE/OLB, he'll be Derrick Harvey.

IMO, both Campbell and Merling project to DE in our offense (to compete with/replace Antonio Smith), and they're not comfortable fits there.

Yeah, I agree they both project to DE. With the FA moves we made DE is a much greater need than OLB. I disagree that they aren't comfortable as a 3-4 DE. Both would have Smith relegated to depth by week 4. I absolutely LOVE Smith as backup DE as opposed to starting.

 

[HookemCards]

I think that if we draft a DE/OLB, he'll be Derrick Harvey.

IMO, both Campbell and Merling project to DE in our offense (to compete with/replace Antonio Smith), and they're not comfortable fits there.

Yeah, I just don't think we draft a tweener. If he can't play FT at DE I doubt we draft him in the first. At 271 don't think Harvey can play much DE for us. That 271 BTW was what he weighed at the combine, but it was about 20 lbs heavier than he played at Fla.

 

[Garthshort]

Albert

Mitch, Kiper saw Mayock's #7 ranking and raised him to #5. It's now the Cards call. Talk about a guy climbing the charts. Personally, I think we go OL in the first and DL in the second. Who they will be I don't know. But if I have to guess, I'll go Williams and Laws. If they think that there will be a decent DE available in the third round, then maybe they'll take a RB (Smith or Johnson) in the second. Man, I love the Draft.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, Kiper saw Mayock's #7 ranking and raised him to #5. It's now the Cards call. Talk about a guy climbing the charts. Personally, I think we go OL in the first and DL in the second. Who they will be I don't know. But if I have to guess, I'll go Williams and Laws. If they think that there will be a decent DE available in the third round, then maybe they'll take a RB (Smith or Johnson) in the second. Man, I love the Draft.

I saw that too, Garth. mel now has Albert going to the Chiefs at #5.

Mayock is really becoming the bellwether draft pundit.

I think you are right about a combo OL/DL in Rounds 1-2 like Williams (or Otah) and Laws (or Philip Merling--if he slides- DeMarrio Pressley, Lawrence Jackson, or Jason Jones)...or it could be switched around, like Harvey, Groves, Campbell, Marling or Kentwan Balmer at #16 and Hills, Cherilus, Brown, Rhinehart or Rachal ar #50.

If such is the case...I think we'll see the Cards go CB in Round 3...like Thomas, Jackson, Lee, Godfrey or Wheatley.

 

[Skkorpion]

Garth, OL in the 1st round? It could happen, of course, but I don't read Whisenhunt leaning that way.

Especially since the defense needs so much improvement.

 

[Garthshort]

Cards' Board

Skorp, you're right about the need for the Cards to go "D" in the top of the Draft. Most pundits say that conventional wisdom has Arizona selecting a CB or DE/OLB in the first round. But remember convention and wisdom are two products usually in short supply in Tempe. My choice of an OL was based on the hope that in the first round we'd go BPA, and at #16, it seemed that there will be a number of OL (Williams, Albert and Otah) available. Harvey should also be avaiable and I wouldn't be surprised with his selection (since the Giants proved you can never have too many pass rushers), but we seemed to have addressed that position in FA. And our biggest need, CB, would probably mean that once again we are drafting for need (see Harry's article on the front page).

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Skorp, you're right about the need for the Cards to go "D" in the top of the Draft. Most pundits say that conventional wisdom has Arizona selecting a CB or DE/OLB in the first round. But remember convention and wisdom are two products usually in short supply in Tempe. My choice of an OL was based on the hope that in the first round we'd go BPA, and at #16, it seemed that there will be a number of OL (Williams, Albert and Otah) available. Harvey should also be avaiable and I wouldn't be surprised with his selection (since the Giants proved you can never have too many pass rushers), but we seemed to have addressed that position in FA. And our biggest need, CB, would probably mean that once again we are drafting for need (see Harry's article on the front page).

It is ok to draft for need, when it is very possible that the BPA at 16 might be a CB. McKelvin, Talib, or DRC may be available. Any of them might be the BPA depending how the draft goes.

 

[Garthshort]

Cb

I'd be happy with a CB at #16, if, indeed, he was the BPA. But most mocks seem to have McKelvin and DRC going before us. Talib, Jenkins, Cason seem to fall into the second tier (and thought to go lower in round one, or even in the second) and I'm concerned that there's a Tommy Knight among the top five, but no idea which one. My hope that the team sticks to their Board and takes the top player available, whatever the position. Just don't reach.

 

[john h]

OK...the numbers are now set:

Round 1: 16

Round 2: 50

Round 3: 81

Round 4: 116

Round 5: 149

Round 6: 185

Round 7: 225

Just thinking that this will be, most likely, the first year in a long time that the Cardinals will not be drafting an immediate starter in the first round. Last year they drafted T Levi Brown with every intention of starting him at RT. In 2006, it was QB Matt Leinart, and rookie QBs traditionally don't start right away, but by Week 4 he was starter. In 2005, CB Antrel Rolle was inserted at starting LCB from day one. In 2004, WR Larry Fitzgerald was an immediate starter, etc.

For example: if the Cards draft...

(1) a CB at #16...he will likely become the nickel and become the starter in 2009 if Eric Green is not re-signed.

(2) a DE/OLB at #16...he will be groomed by Okeafor and Haggans, and would likely become the starter in place a Haggans in 2009.

(3) a LB at #16...won't start until 2009 when and if Dansby is not re-signed.

(4) a RB at #16...would be the #2 behind Edge for this year.

(5) a OL at #16...the only one who would have a good shot would be G Branden Albert, who could beat out Reggie Wells...but if it's T Jeff Otah or T Chris Williams, they would likely be groomed for a year behind Mike Gandy.

This indicates that the Cardinals are deeper and less vulnerable across the board than in the past. Should be interesting to see what kind of an impact this rookie class can make...this class may be added for depth, special teams and situational duty only.

If we signed a RB at number 16 he would likely play ever bit as much as Edge. The two running back thing is here to stay. Good RB's do not need any seasoning. They come ready to play right out of the box.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'd be happy with a CB at #16, if, indeed, he was the BPA. But most mocks seem to have McKelvin and DRC going before us. Talib, Jenkins, Cason seem to fall into the second tier (and thought to go lower in round one, or even in the second) and I'm concerned that there's a Tommy Knight among the top five, but no idea which one. My hope that the team sticks to their Board and takes the top player available, whatever the position. Just don't reach.

Do you think that Levi was at the top of their draft board last year?



We have been known to reach for the longest time.