Edge Rusher Options at #7: Jones, Werner, Ansah, Mingo, Jordan

[Mitch]

I get the sense that the Cardinals under new DC Todd Bowles have an OLB/DE proto-type in mind---someone who is strong enough at the point of attack to set and maintain the edge, someone who is strong enough to generate an effective bull rush, and ideally someone who can disengage from blocks quickly to make stops on athletic QBs. if this is truly the case, the Cardinals will be less inclined to take edge rushers who rely primarily on speed and quickness.

Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles want the defense to be more physical, more imposing of their athletic will and more punishing in the way in which they attack the ball carriers and wide receivers.

There are some very intriguing edge rushers that will be scooped up early in this draft---let's see which ones might be the most appealing to the Cardinals:

Jarvis Jones, 6-2, 245, Georgia

2011: tackles: 70; tackles for loss: 17.5; sacks: 8.5; ints: 0. forced fumb: 2
2012: 85/24.5/14.5/1/7

Jones vs. Alabama 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqczNIJJ2O4

This tape tells you pretty much all you need to know about Jarvis Jones:

Areas in which he excels:

Quick off the ball
Tenacious
Plays to the whistle
Doubles back to the ball on his pass rush in a flash
Tries to meet contact on blocks, shed and still make tackle---which he did on a pull block by Chance Warmack
Plays plenty fast on tape (forget recent 40 time)
Quickness and alertness are his forte

Areas in which he struggles:

Holding and maintaining the edge: see the Eddie Lacy TD---this is what NFL teams will do repeatedly---they will run to his side, straight at him
Rushing too wide of the pocket--in the NFL he will get burned by this over and over.

Ideal position: 43 WOLB---where he can wreak havoc on the edge and not have to set or maintain the edge.

Can he be a productive and effective DE in the nickel (4 man rush)? No. He's too small.

Grade: 1st round

Bjoern Werner, 6-4, 275, Florida St.

2011: 37/11/7/0/1
2012: 42/18/13/0/1

FSU vs. NCSt. 2012 DEs Bjoern Werner & Tank Carradine vs. QB Mike Glennon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RRjhUdWa2Y

Werner---Plusses:

Maintains the edge well---
Physical at the point of attack
Good rush angle---not too wide
Crashes down the line well
Gets good pressure on QB
Can string plays out well
Good on TEX stunts (tackle/end exchange/loops)
Gets his hands up and a fair share of batted/deflected passes

Werner---Minuses

Poor three point stance
Sets up in his stance too late, too often
Doesn't get off the ball consistently well
More of a read and react type player---only he reacts too late too often
With game on line---looked gassed and did not step up

Grade: 2nd round

Carradine---Plusses

Good length and athleticism
Holds the edge fairly well
Shows good quickness and hand action

Carradine---Minuses

On the turf a lot
Gets cut blocked too easily
needs to use his hands much better
Plays off-balance---to much lean on his rush which cause him to slip

Grade: 4th round

Note: if you watched the entire video, you saw Mike Glennon's finest and biggest comeback win at NC State. You also might have been surprised to see Glennon buy some extra time with his feet, which typically has not been tagged as one of his strengths.

Ziggy Ansah, 6-5, 275, BYU

2011: 7/0/0/0/0
2012: 62/13/4.5/0/1

Ziggy Ansah in the Senior Bowl game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3mGBlGYLsQ

Plusses:

Very physical at the point of attack
Disengages from blocks quickly
Has tremendous speed to chase down and finish plays
Very good bull rush
Maintains rush angle very well
Plays disciplined
Around the ball a lot
Diagnoses the plays quickly

Minuses:

Lacks pass rush moves---needs to develop swim, spin and rip techniques

Grade: 1st round. The upside here is enormous. Best blend of size, power and speed in the draft.

Upside for Cardinals: can play 34 SOLB and nickel DE.

Dion Jordan, 6-6, 249, Oregon

2011: 42/13/7.5/0/1
2012: 44/10.5/5/0/3

Dion Jordan vs. Stanford 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMoel8E3HaE

Plusses:

Supremely athletic
Good length
Outstanding chaser
Quick and speedy off the edge
Extremely versatile---can cover TEs in the slot
Good tackler
A little stronger than advertised

Minuses:

Gets fooled a fair amount---you could see how Stanford game planned against him on QB keepers, runs inside of him.
Pass rush angle is often too wide which hurts versus runs to his side and versus a scrambling QB
Undisciplined at times
Lacks requisite NFL edge strength

Grade: 1st round, picks 20-32. His versatility is so attractive---but his injury issues and his lack of production in college are question marks---only 12.5 sacks in the last 2 years.

Note: if you watched this tape how impressed you might have been with Stanford RB Stepfan Taylor---whose lack of combine wow factors are causing him to drop in the draft. Stepfan Taylor can get it done. He's a warrior.

Barkevious Mingo, 6-4, 240, LSU

2011: 46/15/8/0/1
2012: 38/8.5/4.5/0/1

Mingo vs. Clemson 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDqkUsRgw6s

Plusses:

Tremendously quick first step
Blazingly fast crashing, stunting and rushing to the inside
Quick and naturally athletic
Plays the angles well

Minuses:

Negates first step by stopping his feet
Plays tentatively---as if he's thinking too much
Doesn't break down well on runs to his side
Gets little push after hard contact, especially on pass rush

Grade: 1st round---he's too good an athlete to grade any lower. The problem is, he doesn't finish his rushes or many of his plays off, which is why his production number are alarmingly low for a player of his talent.

Fit for the Cardinals? Yes, sir. Here's why. He's such a good athlete on the edge that he could be a tremendous asset at 34 OLB. Like Dion Jordan, he can cover TEs. If he gets stronger and he will and a coach like Tom Pratt turns him into a relentless pass rusher, the sky is the limit. Plus, he can rush the passer as a nickel DE---so that versatility is very attractive.

Best choices for Cardinals:

1. Ziggy Ansah
2. Jarvis Jones
3T. Dion Jordan
3T. Barkevious Mingo
5. Bjoern Werner

 

[juza76]

Great work,i think ansah is too good to pass ..i guess detroit could take him.we have 4 choice at pick 7
1-Ansah
2-Jordan
3-Warmack
4-Johnson

What about this 3 rounds
7-Ansah
38-Fluker and play him guard
68-Frederick
running game could explode

 

[az jam]

Nice analysis, I too like Ziggy Ansah. I think he is the hot pick and has moved up the draft board from his Senior Bowl and great Combine performances. It would not surprise me if the Lions take him at #5.

 

[JeffGollin]

Some of these guys are big enough to play DE in a traditional 3-4. Others seem to be physically more suited for OLB or rush-DE in a 4-3

Which profile fits our system better? And, draft-wise, do we care?

 

[TJ]

Now you're speaking my language, Mitch!

Jordan or Mingo would be excellent options at #7.

 

[Mitch]

Great work,i think ansah is too good to pass ..i guess detroit could take him.we have 4 choice at pick 7
1-Ansah
2-Jordan
3-Warmack
4-Johnson

What about this 3 rounds
7-Ansah
38-Fluker and play him guard
68-Frederick
running game could explode

I wrote this post thanks to your suggestion, juza76. I will go after the safeties next weekend.

My thinking about the #7 pick is as follows:

a). I think Ziggy Ansah will be taken in the top 6.
b). The next logical choice for an OLB/DE at #7 is Jarvis Jones. The entire coaching staff went to see his pro day. The fact that Jones did not have as stellar a pro day performance as many hoped or anticipated means that it's quite possible Jones will be available at #7. If that's the case, then I would have to think long and hard about three players:

1. Tavon Austin, WR/RB/KR, West Virginia
2. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
3. Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

Austin

Reasons:

1. Most electric, productive and dynamic playmaker in the draft.
2. Plays to his 4.3 speed and yet maintains full body control---amazingly so, which is why he never missed a single practice in 4 years at WV---he knows how to make people miss and he knows how to duck away from hard contact---which is why, to me, he is the Russell Wilson of this draft---despite his size there is a calmness and a presence of mind and full body control.
3. He makes everyone around him better---and we have no WR like him.
4. A great answer for moving the chains and putting up points.
5. He brings a swag that our offense has desperately needed since Q was traded.

Jones


Reasons:

1. His productivity does not lie. This guy is as determined as they come.
2. He brings an edge quickness that we do not have.
3. He brings star power at a position of need.

Warmack

Reasons:

1. Drafting him makes the statement that we are going to turn the o-line into a strength.
2. He's a leader and a winner.
3. He can help us finally generate a respectable running game.

Because all three bring such positives---I then have to ask myself, which one would be the best choice?

Instant impact and production?

1. Austin
2. Jones
3. Warmack

That's why my board has them in that order.

I think all three can start right away---but the one who could have the most immediate impact---to me that's Tavon Austin.

Can we get a mauler guard in round 2 or 3?

Yes---you brought up Fluker, which, imo, is a great idea and if not, how about Larry Warford?

Can we get a starting OLB/DE in Round 2 or 3?

What I am hoping for is to sign UFA Shaun Phillips, 6-3, 250, to a two year deal and draft bull rusher John Simon in the 3rd round to go with Acho, Schofield, Alexander, Shaughnessy, Rucker and Walker.

This draft is deep enough that we can still get a very good safety in the 4th round.

And if we trade down a little from #7---maybe we can add Honey Badger in there with the extra pick.

Now---my biggest worry?

Tavon Austin to Philly at #4. He would be Chip Kelly's NFL version of De'Anthony Thomas.

In which case the #7 pick is Jarvis Jones---if he's taken---it's Chance Warmack.

 

[Snakester]

Nice work Walter! Jarvis Jones and Ziggy Ansah are my two favorites at 7 for pass rushers. I still want Fisher more but if he is not there then Jones or Ansah would be fine by me. As far as Mingo you can see he has the ability but doesn't get the job done. He is my biggest boom or bust player in this draft.

 

[Mitch]

Nice work Walter! Jarvis Jones and Ziggy Ansah are my two favorites at 7 for pass rushers. I still want Fisher more but if he is not there then Jones or Ansah would be fine by me. As far as Mingo you can see he has the ability but doesn't get the job done. He is my biggest boom or bust player in this draft.

I am with you, Gary.

However, if Mingo gets in the right system with the right coaches and adds 20 pounds of strength---watch out. He could be an even faster version of Aldon Smith.

This is why first round picks are so tenuous---because you really hope to draft a sure thing type of player in the first round especially in the top ten, where you cannot afford to miss.

But---therefore how comfortable can a team be drafting for potential in the first round?

At least the new draft salary structure makes it more appealing to draft for potential.

Lastly, about Mingo, he's the type of player i would want to research in terms of personality and maturity---I read that he and fellow LSU DE Sam Montgomery were betting on personal stats and that the two of them were not exactly endearing themselves to the LSU coaches.

Personality---in the first round---matters. It matters a lot. Wouldn't you say?

 

[juza76]

I am with you, Gary.

However, if Mingo gets in the right system with the right coaches and adds 20 pounds of strength---watch out. He could be an even faster version of Aldon Smith.

This is why first round picks are so tenuous---because you really hope to draft a sure thing type of player in the first round especially in the top ten, where you cannot afford to miss.

But---therefore how comfortable can a team be drafting for potential in the first round?

At least the new draft salary structure makes it more appealing to draft for potential.

Lastly, about Mingo, he's the type of player i would want to research in terms of personality and maturity---I read that he and fellow LSU DE Sam Montgomery were betting on personal stats and that the two of them were not exactly endearing themselves to the LSU coaches.

Personality---in the first round---matters. It matters a lot. Wouldn't you say?

What concern me about mingo is his strenght,apparently with not reason he didnt have bench press in both combine and pro day

 

[desertdawg]

I hope we can put some power up there to let DD do his thing. #7 is pretty hardcore though.

 

[SissyBoyFloyd]

Tavon Austin is the kind of playmaker that we needed to compliment Fitzgerald, not the wasted pick we made last year in round 1. I could justify him as our pick easily except that we took Floyd last year and to use two 1st rounders in back to back years on WRs when we have so many many other needs is just too hard to swallow. God how I hate last year's pick and what it did to us (rather than for us). I may never get over that pick.

 

[desertdawg]

Tavon Austin is the kind of playmaker that we needed to compliment Fitzgerald, not the wasted pick we made last year in round 1. I could justify him as our pick easily except that we took Floyd last year and to use two 1st rounders in back to back years on WRs when we have so many many other needs is just too hard to swallow. God how I hate last year's pick and what it did to us (rather than for us). I may never get over that pick.

Considering your name is Floyd, and we never really ever got the ball to Floyd, I'm puzzled by your distaste for this cat. Floyd wasn't my choice either but I think he can be a high caliber player, wasted describes what the last 3 years were, not Floyd.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Tavon Austin is the kind of playmaker that we needed to compliment Fitzgerald, not the wasted pick we made last year in round 1. I could justify him as our pick easily except that we took Floyd last year and to use two 1st rounders in back to back years on WRs when we have so many many other needs is just too hard to swallow. God how I hate last year's pick and what it did to us (rather than for us). I may never get over that pick.

I have no concept of the people stumping for Tavion Austin. Its not that I dont think he will be good, its that WR and DL our our strongest positions and we can jsut as high quality guys at positions of need at OL and OLB. True BPA.

And all the people doubting Michael Floyd are going to regret it. Mark down Azs Finest right now. Floyd will be a stud and live up to his first round draft spot this year.

Of this I am sure. He is a stud. Just couldnt tell with QB play last year.

 

[Finito]

If we do decide to take a pass rusher with 7 I would love to have Jarvis Jones if not Jones then Ansah.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I would love us to draft Jarvis Jones if we go after a pass rusher. I don't give a crap about his pro day because I have seen the dude play and he is a pass rushing beast.

 

[gmabel830]

Tavon Austin is the kind of playmaker that we needed to compliment Fitzgerald, not the wasted pick we made last year in round 1. I could justify him as our pick easily except that we took Floyd last year and to use two 1st rounders in back to back years on WRs when we have so many many other needs is just too hard to swallow. God how I hate last year's pick and what it did to us (rather than for us). I may never get over that pick.

The last thing I remember about Michael Floyd is going 14-166-1 against the team that damn near won the Super Bowl. How about giving him the chance to build on that performance before writing the guy off?

 

[BW52]

Warmack.Because if the Oline gets better and allows a actual runnig game the defense isn`t on the field as much.Build thje O-line.

 

[Twist18]

Nice analysis, I too like Ziggy Ansah. I think he is the hot pick and has moved up the draft board from his Senior Bowl and great Combine performances. It would not surprise me if the Lions take him at #5.

I agree jam I don't think Ziggy will be there at 7.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[JeffGollin]

Whenever I think of drafting edge rushers, I wonder why the name, Raynoch Thompson keeps coming to mind? (Edge rushers are far from sure things).

Draft Rule #1: Err' in the direction of the "safe" pick - Don't screw up #7.

(Then again - Rule #2 is that all rules can be broken).

 

[juza76]

Whenever I think of drafting edge rushers, I wonder why the name, Raynoch Thompson keeps coming to mind? (Edge rushers are far from sure things).

Draft Rule #1: Err' in the direction of the "safe" pick - Don't screw up #7.

(Then again - Rule #2 is that all rules can be broken).

Thompson was 210 lb

 

[JeffGollin]

Thompson was 210 lb

I know, but we wasted a high 2nd on him - He was a blur coming off the edge (& continued to be a blur as he overran the QB).

i.e. Looked like he was the Bomb (but, as it turned out, he bombed).

 

[WildBB]

Mitch, I get that your looking for fits in the Cards 3-4 and as a nickel pass rusher. But production is production. Jarvis Jones has it hands down. The guy is just a football player and that translates to any scheme (which was 3-4 at Ga. , btw) He has the smarts and the skills and the record to produce results at a high level. I'll take that over some who have barely scratched the surface of his body of work up to now. Guy just knows how to play the game. Put him in sit back and watch the results. I doubt any of them are all that at the POA going against OL's with 70+ lbs. on them.

 

[MWOOD92]

I have no concept of the people stumping for Tavion Austin. Its not that I dont think he will be good, its that WR and DL our our strongest positions and we can jsut as high quality guys at positions of need at OL and OLB. True BPA.

And all the people doubting Michael Floyd are going to regret it. Mark down Azs Finest right now. Floyd will be a stud and live up to his first round draft spot this year.

Of this I am sure. He is a stud. Just couldnt tell with QB play last year.

This. I mean.. even Larry Fitzgerald looked bad last year. How could anyone knock Floyd? Sure there might have been better options "need" wise, but Floyd isn't going to be a bust.

 

[Jetstream Green]

The last thing I remember about Michael Floyd is going 14-166-1 against the team that damn near won the Super Bowl. How about giving him the chance to build on that performance before writing the guy off?

This and that the dude caught a freaking TD pass from Hoyer...YES, something we did not see for like 10 dang games. Floyd is first round talent and he will show it if given a chance. Fitz will show what we usually expect if given a chance. We need a QB and a OL to protect our guy and give him a chance

 

[52brandon]

This and that the dude caught a freaking TD pass from Hoyer...YES, something we did not see for like 10 dang games. Floyd is first round talent and he will show it if given a chance. Fitz will show what we usually expect if given a chance. We need a QB and a OL to protect our guy and give him a chance

basically my thoughts. Would be cool to take a beast pass-rusher, but with all the 1st round worthy talent on the OL, I think it's foolish to not take one of the 3 almost guaranteed to be there for us. Whether Joeckel, Warmack or Fisher (who after reading his draft profile, looks pretty damn versatile, playing RT, LT, and RG)