Chopper0080
2021 - Prove It
So, having thought a bunch about what the Cardinals are going to do come draft day, I think I have come to some conclusions. I have never thought the Cardinals have been very deceptive in what players they are targeting in the draft, and I don't believe this year is any different. My reasoning's for this statement: In 2011 the Cardinals traded DRC, leaving a hole at CB, and then draft Patrick Peterson. They did not sign a FA OLB, and then drafted Sam Acho. Needed a TE, drafted Huosler. So in 2012, where do the signs point?
We re-signed Levi Brown (OT), and the signed Adam Snyder (OG) who fits our profile for an OT, but his contract was also fairly low. We have Jeremy Bridges, Anthony Batiste, and DJ Young also under contract as OTs. What does this mean? We can afford to pull the trigger if an OT drops in round 1, but are probably looking to take a developmental OT prospect. Also, it doesn't matter if this prospect is a RT or LT, because Levi can play either side.
We cut Rex Hadnot, and have failed to re-sign Duece Lutui. Snyder did play RG in San Fran, but Arizona prefers smaller, more mobile OGs because we pull so much. What does this mean? We are drafting an OG, if not two, and one will probably be in our first three draft picks, if not the first round.
We re-signed Early Doucet essentially keeping the status quo at WR with Fitz, Roberts, Doucet, Sampson, and Williams despite a very deep FA WR pool. What does this mean? We are looking to add a WR in the draft, and it will be in our first four picks.
We let both Porter and Haggens go as FA OLBers leaving our roster with only Sam Acho, O'Brian Schofield, Antonio Carter, and Brandon Williams at OLBer. What does this mean? Unless we re-sign Clark Haggens or another vet OLB, we are drafting an OLB early, as in our first two picks.
So, in a quick review, the Cardinals will be targeting a starting quality OG and OLB in this draft, as well as a developmental OT, and a contributing 3rd or 4th WR.
What does this mean from a players front? Lets look at it by round.
Round 1:
Melvin Ingram - OLB - South Carolina
*My guess is Horton is lobbying hard for him because of his versatility, and the impact it would have in Horton's scheme. Also, I have to think Whis believes the defense is much further along than the offense, which means a player like Ingram might be able to generate immediate results.
David DeCastro - OG - Stanford
*DeCastro would represent the best offensive lineman available if he is on the board when we pick. He fits a huge need at RG, where we do not have a starter at this point in time. I imagine Grimm is pushing hard for this pick.
Cordy Glenn - OT - Georgia
*Fits the prototype Cardinal OT, and could develop behind Snyder until he is ready to jump in. Might be considered a reach at #13, but if the previous two players are off the board, the Cardinals might be forced to take him.
Michael Floyd/Kendall Wright - WR - Notre Dame/Baylor
*I rank both on here because it really depends on what Whis is looking for in a WR. If he wants a deep threat, he probably goes Wright and Wright has similar size to Doucet and Roberts. IF he wants another big bodied WR, Floyd is the guy and could be a matchup problem if he, Fitz and Housler are on the field together.
Round 3: (I don't believe either Shea McClellin or Amini Silatolu are available here, but if they were, they would be the picks.)
Bruce Irvin - OLB - West Virginia
*A player who is a very explosive edge rusher, but doesn't have a bunch of size. Irvin would represent a more situational player, but a welcome addition as a pass rusher.
AJ Jenkins/Nick Toon - WR - Illinois/Wisconsin
*I believe Whis prefers a more versatile WR like Jenkins over a more limited player in Toon, but again, it comes down to preference. This is a bit early for Jenkins in regards to projections, but I see him going earlier than expected.
Brandon Brooks - OT - Miami (OH)
*This is my Cardinal sleeper pick. He is a huge athlete and projects as a NFL OG, but has experience at LT and the size the Cardinals love at OT. This might be a bit high, but I see him as very similar to Cordy Glenn, and could take time developing behind Snyder at RT.
Round 4/5
AJ Jenkins/Nick Toon - WR - Illinois/Wisconsin
*I believe Whis prefers a more versatile WR like Jenkins over a more limited player in Toon, but again, it comes down to preference.
Senio Kelemente - OG - Washington
*A converted college LT, who fits in the style of DeCastro and Silatolu. Great athlete and with a smaller build, but perfect fit as a pull blocker in the Cardinal system.
Levy Adcock/Bobbie Massie - OT - Oklahoma St./Ole MIss
*Like receiver, this will depend on what the Cardinals are looking for. I give the edge to Adcock, because he has less question marks and fits well into the developmental RT. Massie probably projects better to the LT spot, but he is a "shorts" player, and comes with a ton of risk.
So, in the end, our first 4 picks are going to be OLB, WR, OT, and OG in some order.
My ideal draft in the first 5 rounds...
1-Melvin Ingram - OLB - South Carolina
3-Amini Silatolu - OG - Midwestern St.
4-AJ Jenkins - WR - Illinois
5-Levy Adock - OT - Oklahoma St.
My more likely draft in the first 5 rounds...
1-Melvin Ingram - OLB - South Carolina
3-Brandon Brooks - OT - Miami (OH)
4-Senio Kelemente - OG - Washington
5-Ryan Broyles - WR - Oklahoma
We re-signed Levi Brown (OT), and the signed Adam Snyder (OG) who fits our profile for an OT, but his contract was also fairly low. We have Jeremy Bridges, Anthony Batiste, and DJ Young also under contract as OTs. What does this mean? We can afford to pull the trigger if an OT drops in round 1, but are probably looking to take a developmental OT prospect. Also, it doesn't matter if this prospect is a RT or LT, because Levi can play either side.
We cut Rex Hadnot, and have failed to re-sign Duece Lutui. Snyder did play RG in San Fran, but Arizona prefers smaller, more mobile OGs because we pull so much. What does this mean? We are drafting an OG, if not two, and one will probably be in our first three draft picks, if not the first round.
We re-signed Early Doucet essentially keeping the status quo at WR with Fitz, Roberts, Doucet, Sampson, and Williams despite a very deep FA WR pool. What does this mean? We are looking to add a WR in the draft, and it will be in our first four picks.
We let both Porter and Haggens go as FA OLBers leaving our roster with only Sam Acho, O'Brian Schofield, Antonio Carter, and Brandon Williams at OLBer. What does this mean? Unless we re-sign Clark Haggens or another vet OLB, we are drafting an OLB early, as in our first two picks.
So, in a quick review, the Cardinals will be targeting a starting quality OG and OLB in this draft, as well as a developmental OT, and a contributing 3rd or 4th WR.
What does this mean from a players front? Lets look at it by round.
Round 1:
Melvin Ingram - OLB - South Carolina
*My guess is Horton is lobbying hard for him because of his versatility, and the impact it would have in Horton's scheme. Also, I have to think Whis believes the defense is much further along than the offense, which means a player like Ingram might be able to generate immediate results.
David DeCastro - OG - Stanford
*DeCastro would represent the best offensive lineman available if he is on the board when we pick. He fits a huge need at RG, where we do not have a starter at this point in time. I imagine Grimm is pushing hard for this pick.
Cordy Glenn - OT - Georgia
*Fits the prototype Cardinal OT, and could develop behind Snyder until he is ready to jump in. Might be considered a reach at #13, but if the previous two players are off the board, the Cardinals might be forced to take him.
Michael Floyd/Kendall Wright - WR - Notre Dame/Baylor
*I rank both on here because it really depends on what Whis is looking for in a WR. If he wants a deep threat, he probably goes Wright and Wright has similar size to Doucet and Roberts. IF he wants another big bodied WR, Floyd is the guy and could be a matchup problem if he, Fitz and Housler are on the field together.
Round 3: (I don't believe either Shea McClellin or Amini Silatolu are available here, but if they were, they would be the picks.)
Bruce Irvin - OLB - West Virginia
*A player who is a very explosive edge rusher, but doesn't have a bunch of size. Irvin would represent a more situational player, but a welcome addition as a pass rusher.
AJ Jenkins/Nick Toon - WR - Illinois/Wisconsin
*I believe Whis prefers a more versatile WR like Jenkins over a more limited player in Toon, but again, it comes down to preference. This is a bit early for Jenkins in regards to projections, but I see him going earlier than expected.
Brandon Brooks - OT - Miami (OH)
*This is my Cardinal sleeper pick. He is a huge athlete and projects as a NFL OG, but has experience at LT and the size the Cardinals love at OT. This might be a bit high, but I see him as very similar to Cordy Glenn, and could take time developing behind Snyder at RT.
Round 4/5
AJ Jenkins/Nick Toon - WR - Illinois/Wisconsin
*I believe Whis prefers a more versatile WR like Jenkins over a more limited player in Toon, but again, it comes down to preference.
Senio Kelemente - OG - Washington
*A converted college LT, who fits in the style of DeCastro and Silatolu. Great athlete and with a smaller build, but perfect fit as a pull blocker in the Cardinal system.
Levy Adcock/Bobbie Massie - OT - Oklahoma St./Ole MIss
*Like receiver, this will depend on what the Cardinals are looking for. I give the edge to Adcock, because he has less question marks and fits well into the developmental RT. Massie probably projects better to the LT spot, but he is a "shorts" player, and comes with a ton of risk.
So, in the end, our first 4 picks are going to be OLB, WR, OT, and OG in some order.
My ideal draft in the first 5 rounds...
1-Melvin Ingram - OLB - South Carolina
3-Amini Silatolu - OG - Midwestern St.
4-AJ Jenkins - WR - Illinois
5-Levy Adock - OT - Oklahoma St.
My more likely draft in the first 5 rounds...
1-Melvin Ingram - OLB - South Carolina
3-Brandon Brooks - OT - Miami (OH)
4-Senio Kelemente - OG - Washington
5-Ryan Broyles - WR - Oklahoma
