I’ve never been big at grading drafts. When I used to write regularly it was an expected production. However, I’ve never dodged evaluating drafts. Curiosity forced me to take a look at a few of the major sites. Their grades ranged from A+ to B-. The latter came from Mel Kiper with whom I did agree with that day 3 would have limited impact on team performance. I know several evaluators liked Cody Simon more than I did. The Cards LB unit is challenging to evaluate. If the naysayers are correct Simon may play beyond what I expect. I feel it’s more likely the Cards other players will grow into the job, leaving Simon to play mostly special teams. He’s best at playing downhill, so kickoff coverage may become his primary function.
Day 3 aside, I felt the die was cast by the end of day 2. One of this boards primary criticism of Ossenfort has been that he didn’t draft impact players. Personally I thought that was a hasty evaluation. It’s an old adage that it takes 3 years to rate draft choices accurately. I think that’s proven to be the better path. Nonetheless I would say that conversation should evaporate after this draft. The first 3 selections, IMO, will be almost immediate impact players.
Nolen will have to adapt his game slightly, but against the vast majority of blockers, his game plays. He has the potential to become one of the league’s top DTs. Even by NFL standards he’s quick. I believe many blockers will be shocked at how quickly he gains the upper hand leverage-wise. His motor is such that even after penetrating he continues to move forward. Being a solid tackler, he will get his share of sacks. He will also collapse pockets in such a way as to facilitate other rushers getting sacks.
The next selection, Will Johnson, was indeed the steal of the draft (apologies to the Sanders selection). The reason for Johnson’s slide was the injury issue I dealt with earlier in another thread. Do keep in mind, while he almost certainly starts from day 1, he will make a few major mistakes. He’ll also make some great plays. He going to have to adjust to the extraordinary talent of the NFL. Fortunately I believe his ego is strong enough to survive those early errors in judgment. Let’s hope the fans don’t turn on him. One thing for certain, the dramatic upgrade of the pass rush will benefit all the secondary. I expect to see numerous desperation throws exposed to interception. I’m anticipating this defense will be fun to watch. Adding a ballhawk like Johnson should mean an offensive defense. It’s been a long time since the Cards had one of those.
The final top 3 acquisition was Jordan Burch. I see him as best being a 4-3 DE. The Cards have indicated they’re initially thinking OLB. It really makes little difference where he plays. You can literally put him anywhere and he just charges straight at the ball. Some offered that 4th round pick Cody Simon would be useful for rushing the passer. Put Burch at the same spot and he’ll show you rushing the passer. He’s also an excellent tackler. When he gets them, they’re got! I love watching film on this guy. He’s the definitional of an impact player.
Quite a bit of pressure now falls on Rallis. If he can’t fashion a top pass rush out of this group, he’s not the coach people think he is. Two of the first three choices were directed at the passer rush. Ossenfort just didn’t attack the correct positions, he got impact players. Last year’s rushing performance was, IMO, amazing considering what Rallis had to work with. Now these guys will be competing with each other to get to the QB first. It may take a few games to coordinate, but the final result should resemble the Oklahoma land rush.
I do want to add one thing about day 3. The Cards collected an awesome set of potential special team players. If they can carve out any semblance of being a useful backup, this team should have unreal special teams coverage. I can see some of these guys being elite gunners. The guard could be used to stop penetration on kicking plays, though that would be unusual. Several of this group are excellent athletes. They will have to considerably improve their position production to get on the roster, but that’s what the practice squad is for.
Overall this was a great draft, potentially historic. Ossenfort had positioned the team prior to the draft to be free to go in many directions. For example allowing day 3 choices to be luxury picks to enhance special teams. When key players fell in rounds 2 & 3, Ossenfort grabbed them. I expect Ossenfort also has a couple of moves left to help the offense. Get ready for a fun season. It may take a few games to pull these new additions together, but this should be a playoff team.
Day 3 aside, I felt the die was cast by the end of day 2. One of this boards primary criticism of Ossenfort has been that he didn’t draft impact players. Personally I thought that was a hasty evaluation. It’s an old adage that it takes 3 years to rate draft choices accurately. I think that’s proven to be the better path. Nonetheless I would say that conversation should evaporate after this draft. The first 3 selections, IMO, will be almost immediate impact players.
Nolen will have to adapt his game slightly, but against the vast majority of blockers, his game plays. He has the potential to become one of the league’s top DTs. Even by NFL standards he’s quick. I believe many blockers will be shocked at how quickly he gains the upper hand leverage-wise. His motor is such that even after penetrating he continues to move forward. Being a solid tackler, he will get his share of sacks. He will also collapse pockets in such a way as to facilitate other rushers getting sacks.
The next selection, Will Johnson, was indeed the steal of the draft (apologies to the Sanders selection). The reason for Johnson’s slide was the injury issue I dealt with earlier in another thread. Do keep in mind, while he almost certainly starts from day 1, he will make a few major mistakes. He’ll also make some great plays. He going to have to adjust to the extraordinary talent of the NFL. Fortunately I believe his ego is strong enough to survive those early errors in judgment. Let’s hope the fans don’t turn on him. One thing for certain, the dramatic upgrade of the pass rush will benefit all the secondary. I expect to see numerous desperation throws exposed to interception. I’m anticipating this defense will be fun to watch. Adding a ballhawk like Johnson should mean an offensive defense. It’s been a long time since the Cards had one of those.
The final top 3 acquisition was Jordan Burch. I see him as best being a 4-3 DE. The Cards have indicated they’re initially thinking OLB. It really makes little difference where he plays. You can literally put him anywhere and he just charges straight at the ball. Some offered that 4th round pick Cody Simon would be useful for rushing the passer. Put Burch at the same spot and he’ll show you rushing the passer. He’s also an excellent tackler. When he gets them, they’re got! I love watching film on this guy. He’s the definitional of an impact player.
Quite a bit of pressure now falls on Rallis. If he can’t fashion a top pass rush out of this group, he’s not the coach people think he is. Two of the first three choices were directed at the passer rush. Ossenfort just didn’t attack the correct positions, he got impact players. Last year’s rushing performance was, IMO, amazing considering what Rallis had to work with. Now these guys will be competing with each other to get to the QB first. It may take a few games to coordinate, but the final result should resemble the Oklahoma land rush.
I do want to add one thing about day 3. The Cards collected an awesome set of potential special team players. If they can carve out any semblance of being a useful backup, this team should have unreal special teams coverage. I can see some of these guys being elite gunners. The guard could be used to stop penetration on kicking plays, though that would be unusual. Several of this group are excellent athletes. They will have to considerably improve their position production to get on the roster, but that’s what the practice squad is for.
Overall this was a great draft, potentially historic. Ossenfort had positioned the team prior to the draft to be free to go in many directions. For example allowing day 3 choices to be luxury picks to enhance special teams. When key players fell in rounds 2 & 3, Ossenfort grabbed them. I expect Ossenfort also has a couple of moves left to help the offense. Get ready for a fun season. It may take a few games to pull these new additions together, but this should be a playoff team.
