Draft Preview: CB/S

[Mitch]

Starters:

CB: 21 Patrick Peterson---elite talent as shutdown CB
SS: 26 Rashad Johnson---maturing player; smart and physical
FS: 32 Tyrann Mathieu---super pesky, Johnny-on-the spot playmaker
CB: 31 Antonio Cromartie---high ceiling talent who could have Dansby-like impact
NC: 25 Jerraud Powers---productive nickel CB with short area quicks

Backups:

CB: 28 Justin Bethel---Pro Bowl ST ace with chance to impress at CB
SS: 22 Tony Jefferson---impressive UCFA should challenge at SS and nickel S

Bubble:

CB: 23 Bryan McCann---good gunner with chance to make splash at CB
SS: 27 Curtis Taylor---big, strong and physical; can he cover?
CB: 41 Eddie Whitley---runs a 4.39 at 6-1, 190, can play nickel safety too
SS: 33 Ohrlan Johnson---big, raw talent at 6-3, 211
CB: 42 LeQuan Lewis---ASU alum with quicks and cover speed

Draft Prospects:

SS: Calvin Pryor, 5-11, 207, Louisville---hard hitter; brings tenacity and leadership
SS: Deone Bucannon, 6-1, 216, Washington St.---might be the most ideal fit as box safety who can cover TEs
SS: Jimmy Ward, 5-11, 191, NIU---star at Senior Bowl is smooth and tough
SS/CB: Lamarcus Joyner, 5-8, 190, Florida St.---has Badger-like qualities
SS: Craig Loston, 6-1, 214, LSU---has the size, toughness and range
SS: Ahmad Dixon, 6-0, 205, Baylor---fluid athlete and route jumper
FS: Antone Exum, 6-0, 220, Va. Tech---possible late round sleeper due to injuries
SS: Alden Darby, 5-10, 192, Arizona St.---under-rated playmaker
SS: Tre Boston, 6-0, 198, North Carolina---aggressive and physical

CB: Jason Verrett, 5-10, 176, TCU---best feet in draft
CB: Kyle Fuller, 6-0, 194, Va. Tech---agile and quick playmaker, great vision
CB: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, 6-3, 215, Nebraska---could match up vs. TEs
CB: Keith McGill, 6-3, 214, Utah---press CB with speed and size
CB: Phillip Gaines, 6-0, 193, Rice---brings length and speed
CB: Terrance Mitchell, 6-0, 190, Oregon---plays fast and big, has long arms
CB: Pierre Desir, 6-1, 195, Lindenwood---naturally gifted, good size and speed
CB: Bashard Breeland, 6-0, 185, Clemson---nice size and athleticism
CB: Ross Cockrell, 6-0, 183, Duke---leader, tough backside CB
CB: Walt Aikens, 6-1, 205, Liberty---stood out at Senior Bowl
CB: Andre Hal, 5-11, 190, Vanderbilt---feisty playmaker
CB: Aaron Colvin, 6-0, 190, Oklahoma---torn ACL at Senior Bowl, has talent

This draft is deep at CB. Not as much at SS, particularly if you want a SS who can cover TEs. Deone Bucannon looks like the best fit (size, speed and cover-wise)---but will he be available at #52?

 

[GuernseyCard]

At the Combine: Calvin Pryor 5'11" - 207

And, given the "buzz" highly doubtful Bucannon is the at #52

 

[juza76]

I think the players in the bubble will be surely cut.

I hope one of tall cb can be swicthed to safety
Mcgill or stanley baptiste

Or maybe olb telvin smith undesize lb 6'3 218.one of best defenders of Florida State

Rashard johnson is not a starter,i guess Jefferson take his spot before matthieu return.
I assume a new ss will start

 

[Mitch]

At the Combine: Calvin Pryor 5'11" - 207

And, given the "buzz" highly doubtful Bucannon is the at #52

Right (I forgot that about Pryor)---and right about Bucannon. Many teams need safeties.

 

[Garthshort]

Loston has the size/speed ratio that it looks like we'll need, if Buchanon isn't there at #52. And having a couple of LSU Tigers on the roster, HB/Taylor, might mean that we're partial to LSU players. Most mocks have Loston with a fourth round grade.

 

[juza76]

Loston has the size/speed ratio that it looks like we'll need, if Buchanon isn't there at #52. And having a couple of LSU Tigers on the roster, HB/Taylor, might mean that we're partial to LSU players. Most mocks have Loston with a fourth round grade.

The only thing i dont like of Loston is he will be 25 years old rookie,as mcgill

 

[Mitch]

I think the players in the bubble will be surely cut.

I hope one of tall cb can be swicthed to safety
Mcgill or stanley baptiste

Rashard johnson is not a starter,i guess Jefferson take his spot before matthieu return.
I assume a new ss will start

I think Bryan McCann will make the roster. Whitley, because of his speed and versatility, has a chance.

I think one of those tall CBs---McGill, SJB or Desir---could make a good deal of sense in round 3. Like you said, they could be used to cover TEs.

Rashad Johnson is, imo, better than he gets credit for. So, we'll see. He seems to get a little stronger and a little more sudden each year.

I could see SK trading down and taking Bucannon---but, it's hard to say because SK is going to draft BPA, not for need.

 

[Mitch]

Loston has the size/speed ratio that it looks like we'll need, if Buchanon isn't there at #52. And having a couple of LSU Tigers on the roster, HB/Taylor, might mean that we're partial to LSU players. Most mocks have Loston with a fourth round grade.

I think Loston in the 4th makes a good deal of sense, Garth. I think they like Ahmad Dixon at that point in the draft too.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Geoff Mosher's NFL mock draft 2.0 (Round 1)

20. Arizona Cardinals - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

 

[az jam]

Pryor is listed as a FS not an SS. Cards have a big need for na SS.

Additionally Rashard Johnson is an FS. Y. Bell was the SS last year and is no longer on the team.

 

[Mitch]

Pryor is listed as a FS not an SS. Cards have a big need for na SS.

Additionally Rashard Johnson is an FS. Y. Bell was the SS last year and is no longer on the team.

Because he's so explosive in the box, Pryor definitely can play box safety (SS) in the NFL and double as a nickel Cover 2 FS.

Rashad Johnson can slide down and play SS, as can Tony Jefferson. If the Cardinals don't draft a SS, or at least one who can start right away, expect Todd Bowles to play Johnson or Jefferson there (or they could still re-sign Yeremiah Bell, as 2 down SS, because he was very good versus the run). I listed Johnson as the starter because he has starting experience. It could be that if Honey Badger isn't ready for Week 1, the starting safeties would be Johnson and Jefferson---with one of them obviously at SS.

Todd Bowles, like many NFL DCs, loves to be able to make his safeties interchangeable. It allows for even more elaborate schemes, cover and blitz packages.

 

[Bodha]

(Depnding on who we pass up) Id be very happy with a top CB at #20


Its a much bigger need than most think. Tyrann is starting on Pup. And so really we only have PP, Cro and Powers with 2 unproven backups.



Im really starting to tilt towards Craig Loston as our best SS option. Hes quietly a very good player. 'Quietly' meaning draft hype, because hes actually a very loud and vocal leader. Which we need.

 

[GuernseyCard]

(Depnding on who we pass up) Id be very happy with a top CB at #20


Its a much bigger need than most think. Tyrann is starting on Pup. And so really we only have PP, Cro and Powers with 2 unproven backups.



Im really starting to tilt towards Craig Loston as our best SS option. Hes quietly a very good player. 'Quietly' meaning draft hype, because hes actually a very loud and vocal leader. Which we need.

Tyrann is starting offseason training on PUP, not the season, although that may become the case.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

(Depnding on who we pass up) Id be very happy with a top CB at #20


Its a much bigger need than most think. Tyrann is starting on Pup. And so really we only have PP, Cro and Powers with 2 unproven backups.



Im really starting to tilt towards Craig Loston as our best SS option. Hes quietly a very good player. 'Quietly' meaning draft hype, because hes actually a very loud and vocal leader. Which we need.

For a team that values immediate contributors out of their 1st rd draft pick you can sure as hell bet #4 or #5 corner won't be the pick. Our top 3 (4 if you count HB) is best in franchise history and likely best in league.

 

[Bodha]

For a team that values immediate contributors out of their 1st rd draft pick you can sure as hell bet #4 or #5 corner won't be the pick.

In this passing league, a #4/#5 WR is just as dangerous as a #1/#2 WR. They all catch the ball. They all score TDs.

So whats the difference between a #1 CB and a #10 CB? nothing


anyways we go by BPA (as shown by the pick of a G top 10 last year)

and Gilbert or Dennard are 1/2, 2/1 (whoever you prefer). Best CB in the draft at #20 is pretty darn good

and he will start day 1. Different packages, just like Tyrann. + Cro isnt here forever. You need a #2CBOTF. Thats what good teams do. Take the best guy

Our top 3 (4 if you count HB) is best in franchise history and likely best in league.

I have no idea what any of this means. Top 3 what, and whats 'HB'?

 

[GuernseyCard]

In this passing league, a #4/#5 WR is just as dangerous as a #1/#2 WR. They all catch the ball. They all score TDs.

So whats the difference between a #1 CB and a #10 CB? nothing


anyways we go by BPA (as shown by the pick of a G top 10 last year)

and Gilbert or Dennard are 1/2, 2/1 (whoever you prefer). Best CB in the draft at #20 is pretty darn good

and he will start day 1. Different packages, just like Tyrann. + Cro isnt here forever. You need a #2CBOTF. Thats what good teams do. Take the best guy



I have no idea what any of this means. Top 3 what, and whats 'HB'?

4/5 WO as dangerous as 1/2's and no difference between a 1 and 10th rated CB is just plain nonsensical.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

In this passing league, a #4/#5 WR is just as dangerous as a #1/#2 WR. They all catch the ball. They all score TDs.

So whats the difference between a #1 CB and a #10 CB? nothing


anyways we go by BPA (as shown by the pick of a G top 10 last year)

and Gilbert or Dennard are 1/2, 2/1 (whoever you prefer). Best CB in the draft at #20 is pretty darn good

and he will start day 1. Different packages, just like Tyrann. + Cro isnt here forever. You need a #2CBOTF. Thats what good teams do. Take the best guy



I have no idea what any of this means. Top 3 what, and whats 'HB'?

Oh wow lotta ignorance going on here. You can't really believe the #1 and #10 corner thing do you? So by your excellent and sharp analysis losing either Bryan McCann or Patrick Peterson for 6 games would be the exact same thing. Rigggght. Your also spouting off cliches about the tendency of teams to have 4+ WRs that you have heard a couple times on Sportscenter it sounds like its shaped all your football logic. Try to keep up with me here. Even the teams that spread out 5 wide do it at best 20% a game. Spending the #20 pick on the 2nd or 3rd best corner so that he can line up 20% of the time and likely less when HONEY BADGER (that's HB for ya) is at full strength for a team in win now mode makes little sense. That's not even taking into account that our problem last year was TE coverage and a big hitter in the secondary and lack elite talent back at safety making corner not even the most important position for next year In the secondary.

Oh yeah one more thing: WE PLAY IN THE NFC WEST. And every mve we make is centered around competing with these teams. The Seahawks, 9ers, and Rams are NOT 5 WR spread teams and won't ever be with the current regimes in place. You remember all that talk about length at DL, LB, and Safety? That's because we have to stop Lynch, Gore, Stacy, Vernon Davis, and Jared Cook.

Had we not signed Cro or if Powers were to get cut then yes I could see it. But the way things stand? Highly highly doubt it.

But hey keep on trucking Bodha and well see what's up come Thursday now won't we???

Our Top 3 Wisemen. what did you think I was talking about? Cornerbacks?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

4/5 WO as dangerous as 1/2's and no difference between a 1 and 10th rated CB is just plain nonsensical.

Thank You

 

[Gandhi]

I could see SK trading down and taking Bucannon---but, it's hard to say because SK is going to draft BPA, not for need.

Mitch, I hope you know how much I appreciate your work and write-ups.

I think I agree with you on this one but in my final mockdraft, which I will post shortly, I have the Cardinals selecting Calvin Pryor without any trading. I also think he would be the best player on their board so actually I guess I’m saying the same as you. Now, I could easily see him being selected before #20 but if he’s there I just don’t see them ignoring him. In my last mockdraft I had them trading down and selecting Bucannon. I’ve come around on that one since, as I have watched extensive gametape of Pryor, and believe he is sort of the prospect Earl Thomas was coming out of Texas. Granted, Pryor plays more undisciplined but really, for players this good that can rather easily be taken care of.

What’s your opinion on this, Mitch? Am I way off?

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, I hope you know how much I appreciate your work and write-ups.

I think I agree with you on this one but in my final mockdraft, which I will post shortly, I have the Cardinals selecting Calvin Pryor without any trading. I also think he would be the best player on their board so actually I guess I’m saying the same as you. Now, I could easily see him being selected before #20 but if he’s there I just don’t see them ignoring him. In my last mockdraft I had them trading down and selecting Bucannon. I’ve come around on that one since, as I have watched extensive gametape of Pryor, and believe he is sort of the prospect Earl Thomas was coming out of Texas. Granted, Pryor plays more undisciplined but really, for players this good that can rather easily be taken care of.

What’s your opinion on this, Mitch? Am I way off?

Not way off at all, Gandhi. Pryor is a dynamic player---a tempo-setter and leader. I have no problems with him at #20.

What's hard to predict is whether BA&SK really meant it when they said they want length and speed at DB to address the defense's most glaring weakness: covering the TE. This is why I think they might be higher on Bucannon. But, in my mind, either Pryor or Bucannon would be a choice.

 

[WildBB]

Not way off at all, Gandhi. Pryor is a dynamic player---a tempo-setter and leader. I have no problems with him at #20.

What's hard to predict is whether BA&SK really meant it when they said they want length and speed at DB to address the defense's most glaring weakness: covering the TE. This is why I think they might be higher on Bucannon. But, in my mind, either Pryor or Bucannon would be a choice.

What do you think of Jean-Baptiste and McGill. Do you think they fit the bill there? Would either make it to the #84 pick? What about Loston and Dixon?

Who else would fit the bill later?

 

[Bodha]

4/5 WO as dangerous as 1/2's and no difference between a 1 and 10th rated CB is just plain nonsensical.

Explain to me the difference between a Larry Fitzgerald TD and a Juron Brown TD


as far as I know they are both worth 6 points

Oh wow lotta ignorance going on here. You can't really believe the #1 and #10 corner thing do you? So by your excellent and sharp analysis losing either Bryan McCann or Patrick Peterson for 6 games would be the exact same thing. Rigggght. Your also spouting off cliches about the tendency of teams to have 4+ WRs that you have heard a couple times on Sportscenter it sounds like its shaped all your football logic. Try to keep up with me here. Even the teams that spread out 5 wide do it at best 20% a game. Spending the #20 pick on the 2nd or 3rd best corner so that he can line up 20% of the time and likely less when HONEY BADGER (that's HB for ya) is at full strength for a team in win now mode makes little sense. That's not even taking into account that our problem last year was TE coverage and a big hitter in the secondary and lack elite talent back at safety making corner not even the most important position for next year In the secondary.

Oh yeah one more thing: WE PLAY IN THE NFC WEST. And every mve we make is centered around competing with these teams. The Seahawks, 9ers, and Rams are NOT 5 WR spread teams and won't ever be with the current regimes in place. You remember all that talk about length at DL, LB, and Safety? That's because we have to stop Lynch, Gore, Stacy, Vernon Davis, and Jared Cook.

Had we not signed Cro or if Powers were to get cut then yes I could see it. But the way things stand? Highly highly doubt it.

But hey keep on trucking Bodha and well see what's up come Thursday now won't we???

Our Top 3 Wisemen. what did you think I was talking about? Cornerbacks?

Dont be a bitch

opinions are opinions. You can be an adult if you disagree

 

[GuernseyCard]

Explain to me the difference between a Larry Fitzgerald TD and a Juron Brown TD


as far as I know they are both worth 6 points



Dont be a bitch

opinions are opinions. You can be an adult if you disagree

Well, good luck scoring TDs with Juron Brown and pass defending with A.J. Jefferson type talent. I'll take my chances at six with Fitz and preventing six with Peterson.

 

[WildBB]

Explain to me the difference between a Larry Fitzgerald TD and a Juron Brown TD


as far as I know they are both worth 6 points



Dont be a bitch

opinions are opinions. You can be an adult if you disagree

Dude that's out of line. If you felt disrespected say that. Be an adult here. This isn't Adobe Mntn Juvenile!

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Dont be a bitch

Lol I'll see what I can do