Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
Remaining Holes
The one that stands out is Edge. With a much improved CB corp, this will not be as big a disaster as last season. I expect the Cards to pick up a veteran rusher, but they will still be thin. Ojulari will benefit tremendously from having a healthy camp. Robinson (likely moves inside on passing downs) & a more experienced Stills will improve the inside rush game. This won’t be a great pass rush, but it won’t be terrible either.
Missed Opportunity
I’m wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cards bring in yet another veteran WR. Still they had every chance to grab a complimentary WR in the draft. Franklin & Rice stood out as likely contributors if used correctly. Harrison will be good immediately, though this should cause the Cards to use Murray a little more in preseason. How quickly they develop rapport is critical. Chris Moore should be more useful than Pascal. Still I wish they had added a little more speedy depth.
Most Misunderstood Selection
I’ve read most other evaluations. The vast majority missed a portion of the value of Reiman. It’s true he’s primarily a blocking TE (with attitude). However, this is where scouting comes in. Illinois’ offense was based on running the ball. Reiman was rarely the target of a pass. However, when he was, he often made the most of the opportunity. He showed good hands and was a load to bring down. Those complaining he was taken too early simply see him as one dimensional. If anyone one else properly scouted him the Cards were wise to grab him when they could. They desperately needed a blocking TE, but I believe this guy will prove to be more. He’s not going to stretch the field, but he will be a significant third down asset.
No Headliners
The Cards had a chance at 35 to grab a headline player at CB. Mckinstry had the cool name and has some talent. I’m just not certain his game translates well into the NFL. He is very handsy and if he can’t break that habit I expect NFL refs to be tough on him. He is not fast and I think he’ll have trouble controlling fly & post routes. They’ll have to give him over the top help. He’s not much of a ballhawk, because he often lacks quality position. Finally, he is not aggressive when tackling runners. I have him with a significant bust factor. I liked Dejean better, but the Cardinal fit is a question. He is okay covering the slot, but figures to be more of a centerfielder type safety. He has excellent leadership skills but he wouldn’t have displaced Baker or Thompson in 2024. Good safeties are easier to find than most positions. Late pick Taylor-Demerson has a chance to develop in that role. Safeties tend to drop in the draft and he was a good value at that point. H
The Importance of Patience & Scouting
If your scouting is better than other teams, you have better options. The Cards confidently traded down from 35. After everything settled, they got a solid CB prospect; Melton. I like him better than Mckinstry. A little more maneuvering courtesy of this trade also resulted in Reiman. If you trust your scouts, you can often win big. I said at the time they were getting 2 starters for one and I believe that’s how everything will shake out.
Weaponization
I like Connor a great deal not just because he’s a solid runner. He also leads by example and inspires others to play hard. What he lacks is breakaway speed. The Cards were reluctant to call his number on third and long. Benson is the perfect compliment to Connor. Benson doesn’t dance. He also breaks arm tackles. The Cards’ line is not great at making big holes. Benson doesn’t need one. He’s decisive and quick to the hole. Once through he’s a handful to take down in the secondary. He’s surprisingly fast for his size. He has true breakaway ability. He’s also an excellent receiver. He was the only college back last season to have both an 80 yard plus rushing TD and an 80 yard plus receiving TD. He adds a valuable weapon to this Cardinal attack. He must be accounted for when rushing a passer. He’s very hard to cover with an LB.
The Cards still have depth issues. Key injuries could ruin their season. I’m not ready to start talking playoffs, but if this team can stay healthy, they will be much improved. Ossemfort plugged an amazing number of holes in one draft. With a little good fortune this figures to be a fun year.
The one that stands out is Edge. With a much improved CB corp, this will not be as big a disaster as last season. I expect the Cards to pick up a veteran rusher, but they will still be thin. Ojulari will benefit tremendously from having a healthy camp. Robinson (likely moves inside on passing downs) & a more experienced Stills will improve the inside rush game. This won’t be a great pass rush, but it won’t be terrible either.
Missed Opportunity
I’m wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cards bring in yet another veteran WR. Still they had every chance to grab a complimentary WR in the draft. Franklin & Rice stood out as likely contributors if used correctly. Harrison will be good immediately, though this should cause the Cards to use Murray a little more in preseason. How quickly they develop rapport is critical. Chris Moore should be more useful than Pascal. Still I wish they had added a little more speedy depth.
Most Misunderstood Selection
I’ve read most other evaluations. The vast majority missed a portion of the value of Reiman. It’s true he’s primarily a blocking TE (with attitude). However, this is where scouting comes in. Illinois’ offense was based on running the ball. Reiman was rarely the target of a pass. However, when he was, he often made the most of the opportunity. He showed good hands and was a load to bring down. Those complaining he was taken too early simply see him as one dimensional. If anyone one else properly scouted him the Cards were wise to grab him when they could. They desperately needed a blocking TE, but I believe this guy will prove to be more. He’s not going to stretch the field, but he will be a significant third down asset.
No Headliners
The Cards had a chance at 35 to grab a headline player at CB. Mckinstry had the cool name and has some talent. I’m just not certain his game translates well into the NFL. He is very handsy and if he can’t break that habit I expect NFL refs to be tough on him. He is not fast and I think he’ll have trouble controlling fly & post routes. They’ll have to give him over the top help. He’s not much of a ballhawk, because he often lacks quality position. Finally, he is not aggressive when tackling runners. I have him with a significant bust factor. I liked Dejean better, but the Cardinal fit is a question. He is okay covering the slot, but figures to be more of a centerfielder type safety. He has excellent leadership skills but he wouldn’t have displaced Baker or Thompson in 2024. Good safeties are easier to find than most positions. Late pick Taylor-Demerson has a chance to develop in that role. Safeties tend to drop in the draft and he was a good value at that point. H
The Importance of Patience & Scouting
If your scouting is better than other teams, you have better options. The Cards confidently traded down from 35. After everything settled, they got a solid CB prospect; Melton. I like him better than Mckinstry. A little more maneuvering courtesy of this trade also resulted in Reiman. If you trust your scouts, you can often win big. I said at the time they were getting 2 starters for one and I believe that’s how everything will shake out.
Weaponization
I like Connor a great deal not just because he’s a solid runner. He also leads by example and inspires others to play hard. What he lacks is breakaway speed. The Cards were reluctant to call his number on third and long. Benson is the perfect compliment to Connor. Benson doesn’t dance. He also breaks arm tackles. The Cards’ line is not great at making big holes. Benson doesn’t need one. He’s decisive and quick to the hole. Once through he’s a handful to take down in the secondary. He’s surprisingly fast for his size. He has true breakaway ability. He’s also an excellent receiver. He was the only college back last season to have both an 80 yard plus rushing TD and an 80 yard plus receiving TD. He adds a valuable weapon to this Cardinal attack. He must be accounted for when rushing a passer. He’s very hard to cover with an LB.
The Cards still have depth issues. Key injuries could ruin their season. I’m not ready to start talking playoffs, but if this team can stay healthy, they will be much improved. Ossemfort plugged an amazing number of holes in one draft. With a little good fortune this figures to be a fun year.
