FA and Draft Plan V. 4.0

[Mitch]

Strategy:

* Defer the QBOF decision until 2018
* Fill most offensive needs through FA
* Use the draft to inject youth and speed into the defense and special teams

Defer QBOF Decision:

* Questionable QB draft pool. Even top prospects are 2-3 year developmental types.
* Like BA has always said, if you draft a QB in the top half of the NFL Draft, you play him asap.
* What if this is BA's last year as head coach? He's all-in this year with Palmer and Stanton.
* Make the QBOF decision when you know who the head coach will be. Don't draft a QB using BA's QB criteria only to hire a new head coach who likely would have a different set of QB criteria.

Fill Most of Offensive Needs Through FA:

AZ signs:

* RG Ronald Leary (6-3, 323, 5, Memphis)---coming off excellent season as the Cowboys' LG.
* WR DeSean Jackson (5-10, 178, 10, California)---coming off 1,000 yard season at 17.4ypc and is a big-time punt returner when needed.
* TE Jack Doyle (6-6, 267, 5, Western Kentucky)---coming off a 500 yard plus season is only 26.
* C A.Q. Shipley---re-sign as UFA to compete with Evan Boehm at C.
* TE Darren Fells--- re-sign as RFA

Use Draft to Inject Youth and Speed On Defense and STs:

AZ Signs:

* DE Chris Baker (6-2, 325, 8, Hampton)---has 56 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles last 2 seasons. Turns 30 and could be had for significantly less that what Calais Campbell will sign for.
* CB Logan Ryan (5-11, 195, 5, Rutgers)---upgrades coverage and tackling at the CB spot.
* DE Chandler Jones---re-sign---try to work out a fair long-term deal.
* S D.J. Swearinger---re-sign---his versatility and intimidation factors are huge assets.
* LB Sio Moore---re-sign---showed more speed, range, coverage and tackling in space ability than Minter.

Draft:

* Trade---AZ sends the #13 pick to the Broncos for picks #20 and #80.

1 (20)---Haason Reddick, LB, Temple. Think Ryan Shazier---he has that type of quickness, motor, downhill aggression and blitzing ability. TFL machine. Can be used inside and at OLB in base 34 (slide Chandler Jones down to DE).

2 (45)---Budda Baker, S, Washington. Best coverage FS in the draft (man and Cover 2), plus is a very aggressive tackler.

3 (77)---ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama. Big play WR from slot. STs stalwart.

3 (80)---Steven Taylor, OLB, Houston. Speed and aggression off the edge. Could also excel on STs.

4 (117)---Zane Gonzalez, K, Arizona St. Has the consistent leg and accuracy the Cardinals covet.

5 (158)---Donnell Pumphrey, RB, San Diego St. Super fast, hard to tackle. Small, but tough. STs plus.

5 (179)---DeAngelo Brown, DT, Louisville. Lack ideal height, but packs a punch. Good tackler.

6 (199)---Vince Biegel, OLB/DE, Wisconsin. Non-stop motor. Could excel on STs.

7 (236)---Mike Milano, SS, Boston College. Creates havoc in backfield. Good tackler.

 

[juza76]

Milano is fine
Is where I was born

 

[POISON]

Drafting a kicker in the 4th round sounds to high. I would think 6th round at the earliest, unless we get a comp pick in the 5th round (I have no idea ). If we drafted a qb in 2018 a homer pick I'd love is Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma State, big arm, accurate and somewhat elusive for his size. His touchdown to interception ratio is off the charts. Plus a good leader

 

[Cards Czar]

* Trade---AZ sends the #13 pick to the Broncos for picks #20 and #80. The Broncos don't have # 80 they have # 82. They would also have to give up more then those 2 picks as the numbers just don't add up. The Broncos get 2 Round 3 comp picks also. Maybe # 13 (1150 pts) to the Broncos for # 20 ( 850 pts) & # 82 ( 180 pts) and # 97 ( 112 pts) total (1142 pts).

Edit: we will also get a 5th round Comp Pick.

 

[Goldfield]

Not bad Mitch. Fills a lot of holes.

I hate the idea of finding a QB that fits the coaches specific criteria. The QB is the most important position and is also the hardest to find a good to great one. As far as I'm concerned there is only one criteria, is he good... Dont care if he's fast or tall just if he can play.

 

[juza76]

Not bad Mitch. Fills a lot of holes.

I hate the idea of finding a QB that fits the coaches specific criteria. The QB is the most important position and is also the hardest to find a good to great one. As far as I'm concerned there is only one criteria, is he good... Dont care if he's fast or tall just if he can play.

Sir , let me say this
Accuracy first
A player should be considered just if he has beyond 60% completed passes
I know they play lot of screen.passes, thats why I want them being around 62/68%

 

[WildBB]

Sir , let me say this
Accuracy first
A player should be considered just if he has beyond 60% completed passes
I know they play lot of screen.passes, thats why I want them being around 62/68%

Yeah, we learned that from BA's pick of L. Thomas. They have to have the IQ for the position. That has to be evaluated. Physical attributes alone won't suffice. They also should preferably have a multi-dimensional movement facet to their game, lastly.

 

[WildBB]

Mitch how would you rate the WR's after the top 5-6? Just give me your top 10 after those. Zay Jones impressed me a great deal in Senior Bowl week.

 

[football karma]

i dont see the Cards signing 5 players in free agency from other teams -- especially a few multi-million $ guys

 

[Chopper0080]

Ronald Leary will get 8mil per year...I'm not sure that fits in the budget with all of the money we have tied up on the offensive line. Also, Leary came off the bench to have his "excellent" year. He was benched because LeAl Collins beat him out. Pass.

Also, Im not sure how much cheaper you think Chris Baker will be than Campbell. It could be 3 mil, but I don't know if that is what you mean by significant.

Regarding your draft...I don't see it. We draft another guy in the first round with off field issues. In rounds 2, 3, and 5 we draft players with legitimate size concerns in Baker, Taylor and Pumphrey. I will say that your draft has decent individual players, but I question if we want to go smaller at so many positions in the NFC.

 

[Mitch]

Drafting a kicker in the 4th round sounds to high. I would think 6th round at the earliest, unless we get a comp pick in the 5th round (I have no idea ). If we drafted a qb in 2018 a homer pick I'd love is Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma State, big arm, accurate and somewhat elusive for his size. His touchdown to interception ratio is off the charts. Plus a good leader

As we saw last year, kicking, especially with the new extra point rule, is often the difference between winning and losing. I think that Gonzalez will go in the 4th round. I figured it might as well be to us.

 

[Mitch]

* Trade---AZ sends the #13 pick to the Broncos for picks #20 and #80. The Broncos don't have # 80 they have # 82. They would also have to give up more then those 2 picks as the numbers just don't add up. The Broncos get 2 Round 3 comp picks also. Maybe # 13 (1150 pts) to the Broncos for # 20 ( 850 pts) & # 82 ( 180 pts) and # 97 ( 112 pts) total (1142 pts).

Edit: we will also get a 5th round Comp Pick.

Thank you, for reminding me Czar!

With the 179th pick in the NFL Draft the Arizona Cardinals select DeAngelo Brown, DT, Louisville.

 

[juza76]

As we saw last year, kicking, especially with the new extra point rule, is often the difference between winning and losing. I think that Gonzalez will go in the 4th round. I figured it might as well be to us.

U do if u have some compensatory pick
The Seattle kicker was pretty good before last season
Catanzaro is a weak in the mental aspect, has the leg to be the best one but he miss this aspect
Too fragile

 

[WisconsinCard]

Yeah, we learned that from BA's pick of L. Thomas. They have to have the IQ for the position. That has to be evaluated. Physical attributes alone won't suffice. They also should preferably have a multi-dimensional movement facet to their game, lastly.

I think LTs biggest issues was he couldn't grasp the playbook. So I think he just didn't have it between the ears.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch how would you rate the WR's after the top 5-6? Just give me your top 10 after those. Zay Jones impressed me a great deal in Senior Bowl week.

I like Zay Jones, WBB. Good call on him. I'm not sure he will on the board at #77. He made quite a splash at the Senior Bowl.

Day 2 and Day 3 WRs I like for the Cardinals:

* Curtis Samuel, Ohio St. Interchangeable WR/RB. Love what he brings to the slot.
* Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington. He's like the Pats' Chris Hogan, he's always open.
* Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma. Slot guy, good hands and RAC ability. Some off-field red flags, however.
* Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech. Tremendous competitor. Might be as talented as any WR in the draft.
* Chris Godwin, Penn St. Solid in all areas. Not flashy, but very productive.
* Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky. He's going to shoot up draft boards. This kid is legit---total package.
* Artavis Scott, Clemson. Good punt returner and slot WR. Needs more consistency---route running and catching the ball.
* Travis Rudloph, Florida St. Good red zone WR...very slippery and smooth catching the ball.
* KD Cannon, Baylor. One of the best vertical threats in the draft. Skills need refinement.

My super sleeper at WR: Jalen Robinette, Air Force. Check this dude out (6-4, 215):

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[Mitch]

Ronald Leary will get 8mil per year...I'm not sure that fits in the budget with all of the money we have tied up on the offensive line. Also, Leary came off the bench to have his "excellent" year. He was benched because LeAl Collins beat him out. Pass.

Also, Im not sure how much cheaper you think Chris Baker will be than Campbell. It could be 3 mil, but I don't know if that is what you mean by significant.

Regarding your draft...I don't see it. We draft another guy in the first round with off field issues. In rounds 2, 3, and 5 we draft players with legitimate size concerns in Baker, Taylor and Pumphrey. I will say that your draft has decent individual players, but I question if we want to go smaller at so many positions in the NFC.

I would be surprised if Ronald Leary gets more that $4.5M to $5M a year. If you are right about $8M a year, then no way.

Chris Baker---I was thinking he'd be in the $6-7M per year range. Again, if not, then no way.

I think Reddick is a superb fit for us. I don't think he will be a problem off the field.

It's hard to get speed with size. We need speed on STs and ballers, which all three are, imo. Man, Budda Baker is a big-time baller and despite his size, he covers Wrs and TEs well, when asked to play man. Taylor's pass rush reminds me of Adrian Wilson's. He's not just fast, he's sneaky strong. Pumphrey I took in the 5th round---but despite his small size, he does not back down. Love the way he absorbs contact and keeps his feet chugging. He's hard to get a good hit on, which makes his size an asset.

 

[Harry]

I don't think the money works. I know the trade doesn't. Practically every teams uses the chart Jimmy Johnson created. It's not too accurate for QBs, but works well for others. The teams going down virtually never take less.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/draft/draft-trade-chart/

I won't keep restating my theories on primary needs, but ILB isn't my preference.

 

[POISON]

As we saw last year, kicking, especially with the new extra point rule, is often the difference between winning and losing. I think that Gonzalez will go in the 4th round. I figured it might as well be to us.

I agree, we definitely need a kicker, ours cost us big time last year. We'd be taking a chance hoping to get the guy in a later round. Usually they get picked up as a UDFA but then your bidding for the guy against everyone else. If he's that good, I guess I could see it

 

[POISON]

I like Zay Jones, WBB. Good call on him. I'm not sure he will on the board at #77. He made quite a splash at the Senior Bowl.

Day 2 and Day 3 WRs I like for the Cardinals:

* Curtis Samuel, Ohio St. Interchangeable WR/RB. Love what he brings to the slot.
* Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington. He's like the Pats' Chris Hogan, he's always open.
* Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma. Slot guy, good hands and RAC ability. Some off-field red flags, however.
* Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech. Tremendous competitor. Might be as talented as any WR in the draft.
* Chris Godwin, Penn St. Solid in all areas. Not flashy, but very productive.
* Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky. He's going to shoot up draft boards. This kid is legit---total package.
* Artavis Scott, Clemson. Good punt returner and slot WR. Needs more consistency---route running and catching the ball.
* Travis Rudloph, Florida St. Good red zone WR...very slippery and smooth catching the ball.
* KD Cannon, Baylor. One of the best vertical threats in the draft. Skills need refinement.

My super sleeper at WR: Jalen Robinette, Air Force. Check this dude out (6-4, 215):

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I despise OU but I think Westbrook has grown up and wouldn't be a problem. Mixon on the other hand, he's toxic, I'd pass on him

 

[Mitch]

I don't think the money works. I know the trade doesn't. Practically every teams uses the chart Jimmy Johnson created. It's not too accurate for QBs, but works well for others. The teams going down virtually never take less.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/draft/draft-trade-chart/

I won't keep restating my theories on primary needs, but ILB isn't my preference.

#13 --- 1,150

# 20 + #80 = 1,040

It's really not that far off, Harry.

I figured that because the Broncos have a compensatory 3rd rounder (projected at #102), they would be willing to trade their 3rd round (#80) to move up.

Plus---I like Haason Reddick at OLB on the edge for us and if and when needed at ILB. It's his versatility, TFL and pass rush ability that I think make him special.

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[AsUpRoDiGy]

#13 --- 1,150

# 20 + #80 = 1,040

It's really not that far off, Harry.

I figured that because the Broncos have a compensatory 3rd rounder (projected at #102), they would be willing to trade their 3rd round (#80) to move up.

Plus---I like Haason Reddick at OLB on the edge for us and if and when needed at ILB. It's his versatility, TFL and pass rush ability that I think make him special.

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I hope you're not watching highlight film to evaluate a player?

 

[Mitch]

I hope you're not watching highlight film to evaluate a player?

I hope you know me better than that. I live in the Northeast and have seen a number of Temple games. Reddick has always stood out in the games I saw. Plus, we all got a very good look at him during Senior Bowl week---a week in which he wowed pretty much every draft pundit on the planet.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

I hope you know me better than that. I live in the Northeast and have seen a number of Temple games. Reddick has always stood out in the games I saw. Plus, we all got a very good look at him during Senior Bowl week---a week in which he wowed pretty much every draft pundit on the planet.

Just making sure His character issues are a major concern, but his athletic ability is off the charts. I think his money will be made mainly during the interview process.

 

[juza76]

Just making sure His character issues are a major concern, but his athletic ability is off the charts. I think his money will be made mainly during the interview process.

Off fields problems
What kind?

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Off fields problems
What kind?

Aggravated Assault