Chopper's Mid Season 2015 Draft Preview

[Cardiac]

Good stuff Gandhi. I especially like that you targeted what I was also consider our biggest areas of need.

 

[overseascardfan]

Staying with Louisville I would advise you to take a look at their pass rusher Lorenzo ‘Lozo’ Mauldin (#94). Almost a year ago, I thought Marcus Smith would go in the middle of the first round, and I have to admit that I don’t have the same high thoughts of Mauldin. That said, I think he could be the first round selection of the Cardinals. Out of all the edge rushers (not including Randy Gregory and Shane Ray) I have seen this season I think Mauldin is the best fit with Bowles’ defense. Mauldin is big and has great length. He can rush the passer in varieties of ways, and though he should work on his run defense, he’s not bad at it either. At Louisville he is used as their ‘rover’-linebacker which just means that he’s a rush linebacker whom their defensive coordinator Todd Grantham moves around a lot and lets him rush from many different angles. Other players that Grantham have used in that role includes Demarcus Ware, Jarvis Jones and Marcus Smith, all of whom became first round picks. Mauldin is not often used in coverage but he does occasionally drops fluidly back in short zones. Louisville will be at Notre Dame this week.

I have been on the Mauldin band wagon all year. If ARZ is picking late 20's - 30's he would be a good pick up. Others will say he has no position as he is too small to play DE and lack of coverage skills as OLB. I think he brings exactly what ARZ needs, someone who can get to the QB. If ARZ moves up in the draft, this year makes sense as they will be at the bottom of the order and a move up to land an impact guy like Shane Ray is understandable. OLB, ILB, DE, G, C, big RB should be what ARZ focuses on in the draft. Hopefully, they keep Cro but FA they will probably be looking for a CB.