Krangodnzr
Captain of Team Conner
I saw this website on twitter today and decide to give it a whirl; this is what I came up with:
http://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/draft.php?d=izrgwa#.UyokiPaxSIw.gmail
For reference sake, I choose to use Walter Football's big board for player evaluation.
20 OLB DEE FORD, AUBURN - There were quite a few prospects I liked available at #20, but I wasn't going to pass up on the potential of Dee Ford. What I really like about Ford other than being a good fit as a 3-4 OLB right out of college, was his patience maintaining the edge against Johnny Manziel. He's able to bend the edge with speed, but is a smart enough player to defend the run. I think Dee Ford is a perennial 10 sack guy who may not make the Pro Bowl every year, but will go down as one of the best Cardinal sack artists.
52 DE STEPHON TUITT, NOTRE DAME - It's definitely time to start looking for a replacement for Darnell Dockett, since his play will start slipping soon and he will become cost prohibitive. Tuitt is actually what we want in a 3-4 defensive end. Stout enough to hold up against the run, but more of a penetrator. Tuitt is a bit light right now (280ish) to play DE in our defense, but he has better length and quickness than Dockett. Before last year, Tuitt was a top 10 pick, but struggled after ballooning to 300 before the season. If he can recapture his 2012-2013 glory, Tuitt could be a star in Todd Bowles defense.
84 TE TROY NIKLAS, NOTRE DAME - This was my first "iffy"pick in my book and I probably could've gotten a comparable prospect in round 4 considering the way this draft played out. But Niklas is the type of TE that Arians will want. A tough, physical blocker who is almost an extra lineman in the run game. He also has very good hands and feel for the passing game, though his speed is pedestrian at best. Niklas will never be a Pro Bowler, but he'll get you 5-6 really good blocks every game and 3-4 catches.
116 WR ROBERT HERRON, WYOMING - Even though we added Ginn, the Cardinals could still use some youth and speed to our offensive skill position players. Robert Herron is going to be a beast if he's used correctly. He'll be a difficult player to cover since he has the lethal combination of speed, agility, hands and toughness. He'll step in right away as a slot receiver and will be a YAC monster. I liken him to a Steve Smith/Golden Tate type player. His only knock is that he's short (5'8). Honestly I like him so much I considered taking him in round 4.
148 CB WALT AIKENS, LIBERTY - Walt Aikens wasn't a combine invite, and that was a damn shame based on his bowl appearances and pro day numbers. Aikens measured in at nearly 6'1. 205 lbs, and ran a 4.42. He's an explosive athlete and fits the mold of the bigger, more physical cornerbacks that are the current trend. His issues is that he seemed to struggle with the transition the first few days of the Senior Bowl and that is a zone cover guy who tends to give up the easy reception. But he definitely has the measureables and won't have to start, so he's a solid gamble this late in the draft.
180 RB DRI ARCHER, KENT STATE - Holy moly, Dri Archer was still available in the 6th round. Yes, yes, I know. He's 5'7, 170 and played small school ball. And he has had some injury issues. But 4.2 speed can not be taught and he consistently displays that speed on the field. Archer didn't fill a need, but he was the best player available and has the potential to be explosive as a sub package player.
What I wanted to do: Add some toughness and speed to defense (Ford, Tuitt, Aikens) and walk away with a blocking TE and some speed for the offense (Niklas, Herron, and Archer). Ford steps in at a crowded OLB position; Alexander will probably move over to ILB, and Bernard would probably be the odd man out. Tuitt is a perfect fit as a rotational guy behind Dockett and Calais, and will take over in year two. Niklas will play a lot, but mostly as the hardnose blocker (ie Jim Dray role, but better). Herron or Archer will be our new PR and will line up in the slot and in sub packages; both offer speed and special teams ability.
What I didn't do: Outside of drafting a Safety in round one or two, there was a better player for us than the player I took in each round. I sense that Safety may turn out this way, draft one early or your board will have better players available at other positions of need. This may point to Cardinals drafting a safety fairly high, but I'm probably too confident in Johnson, Jefferson, and Mathieu. I also wanted another OL, but again, all the guys I was enamored with were gone and I took players I liked better in rounds 3-6. I also wanted a developmental QB; I thought about one in round 6 but decided that the available pool was UDFA material at that point.
http://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/draft.php?d=izrgwa#.UyokiPaxSIw.gmail
For reference sake, I choose to use Walter Football's big board for player evaluation.
20 OLB DEE FORD, AUBURN - There were quite a few prospects I liked available at #20, but I wasn't going to pass up on the potential of Dee Ford. What I really like about Ford other than being a good fit as a 3-4 OLB right out of college, was his patience maintaining the edge against Johnny Manziel. He's able to bend the edge with speed, but is a smart enough player to defend the run. I think Dee Ford is a perennial 10 sack guy who may not make the Pro Bowl every year, but will go down as one of the best Cardinal sack artists.
52 DE STEPHON TUITT, NOTRE DAME - It's definitely time to start looking for a replacement for Darnell Dockett, since his play will start slipping soon and he will become cost prohibitive. Tuitt is actually what we want in a 3-4 defensive end. Stout enough to hold up against the run, but more of a penetrator. Tuitt is a bit light right now (280ish) to play DE in our defense, but he has better length and quickness than Dockett. Before last year, Tuitt was a top 10 pick, but struggled after ballooning to 300 before the season. If he can recapture his 2012-2013 glory, Tuitt could be a star in Todd Bowles defense.
84 TE TROY NIKLAS, NOTRE DAME - This was my first "iffy"pick in my book and I probably could've gotten a comparable prospect in round 4 considering the way this draft played out. But Niklas is the type of TE that Arians will want. A tough, physical blocker who is almost an extra lineman in the run game. He also has very good hands and feel for the passing game, though his speed is pedestrian at best. Niklas will never be a Pro Bowler, but he'll get you 5-6 really good blocks every game and 3-4 catches.
116 WR ROBERT HERRON, WYOMING - Even though we added Ginn, the Cardinals could still use some youth and speed to our offensive skill position players. Robert Herron is going to be a beast if he's used correctly. He'll be a difficult player to cover since he has the lethal combination of speed, agility, hands and toughness. He'll step in right away as a slot receiver and will be a YAC monster. I liken him to a Steve Smith/Golden Tate type player. His only knock is that he's short (5'8). Honestly I like him so much I considered taking him in round 4.
148 CB WALT AIKENS, LIBERTY - Walt Aikens wasn't a combine invite, and that was a damn shame based on his bowl appearances and pro day numbers. Aikens measured in at nearly 6'1. 205 lbs, and ran a 4.42. He's an explosive athlete and fits the mold of the bigger, more physical cornerbacks that are the current trend. His issues is that he seemed to struggle with the transition the first few days of the Senior Bowl and that is a zone cover guy who tends to give up the easy reception. But he definitely has the measureables and won't have to start, so he's a solid gamble this late in the draft.
180 RB DRI ARCHER, KENT STATE - Holy moly, Dri Archer was still available in the 6th round. Yes, yes, I know. He's 5'7, 170 and played small school ball. And he has had some injury issues. But 4.2 speed can not be taught and he consistently displays that speed on the field. Archer didn't fill a need, but he was the best player available and has the potential to be explosive as a sub package player.
What I wanted to do: Add some toughness and speed to defense (Ford, Tuitt, Aikens) and walk away with a blocking TE and some speed for the offense (Niklas, Herron, and Archer). Ford steps in at a crowded OLB position; Alexander will probably move over to ILB, and Bernard would probably be the odd man out. Tuitt is a perfect fit as a rotational guy behind Dockett and Calais, and will take over in year two. Niklas will play a lot, but mostly as the hardnose blocker (ie Jim Dray role, but better). Herron or Archer will be our new PR and will line up in the slot and in sub packages; both offer speed and special teams ability.
What I didn't do: Outside of drafting a Safety in round one or two, there was a better player for us than the player I took in each round. I sense that Safety may turn out this way, draft one early or your board will have better players available at other positions of need. This may point to Cardinals drafting a safety fairly high, but I'm probably too confident in Johnson, Jefferson, and Mathieu. I also wanted another OL, but again, all the guys I was enamored with were gone and I took players I liked better in rounds 3-6. I also wanted a developmental QB; I thought about one in round 6 but decided that the available pool was UDFA material at that point.
