Free Agency Guesses, and Draft Predictions

[Cards Czar]

Cardinals re-signed TE Ifeanyi Momah and DE Josh Mauro.

 

[overseascardfan]

I'm looking at the following guys:
CB Sean Smith - At 6'3 218 he is exactly what Keim says he is looking for in a CB. Only 28 and should be less expensive option to a Janoris Jenkins.

S George Iloka - I like the idea of adding another big DB to the mix, particularly if we lose Jefferson & Johnson

DE Charles Johnson - 29 years old and coming off a down year, shouldn't break the bank and could form a nice rotation with CC & Gunter.

C Stefan Wisniewski - I know BASK mentioned internal candidates such as Cooper but I believe that its smoke. Mack is too expensive and Wisniewski is still young enough to be our C for a very long time.

OLB Tamba Hali - Adds to the age of the team but probably the most logical fit in terms of affordability and fit.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I'm looking at the following guys:
CB Sean Smith - At 6'3 218 he is exactly what Keim says he is looking for in a CB. Only 28 and should be less expensive option to a Janoris Jenkins.

S George Iloka - I like the idea of adding another big DB to the mix, particularly if we lose Jefferson & Johnson

DE Charles Johnson - 29 years old and coming off a down year, shouldn't break the bank and could form a nice rotation with CC & Gunter.

C Stefan Wisniewski - I know BASK mentioned internal candidates such as Cooper but I believe that its smoke. Mack is too expensive and Wisniewski is still young enough to be our C for a very long time.

OLB Tamba Hali - Adds to the age of the team but probably the most logical fit in terms of affordability and fit.

Good list. Two or three of those guys would make a huge difference.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I'm looking at the following guys:
CB Sean Smith - At 6'3 218 he is exactly what Keim says he is looking for in a CB. Only 28 and should be less expensive option to a Janoris Jenkins.

S George Iloka - I like the idea of adding another big DB to the mix, particularly if we lose Jefferson & Johnson

DE Charles Johnson - 29 years old and coming off a down year, shouldn't break the bank and could form a nice rotation with CC & Gunter.

C Stefan Wisniewski - I know BASK mentioned internal candidates such as Cooper but I believe that its smoke. Mack is too expensive and Wisniewski is still young enough to be our C for a very long time.

OLB Tamba Hali - Adds to the age of the team but probably the most logical fit in terms of affordability and fit.

I would love Sean Smith but I think he'll get a huge contract.

I was all for Wisniewski last off season but there's a reason he'll now be seeking his 3rd team in 3 years. If they are going to sign a C, it's Mack or bust for me.

Hali could definitely be in the mix as long as he's not pricing himself too high.

 

[Ohcrap75]

Cardinals re-signed TE Ifeanyi Momah and DE Josh Mauro.

Hopefully Momah has fully recovered and I have always liked Mauro, so I really like both of these moves!

 

[oaken1]

Yes, because talent and athletic ability flashes early, while work ethic can make you more productive than will translate to the NFL.

Nassib is a guy who never flashed until he was older, able to put on weight, and have a physical advantage over his competition. It doesn't mean he can't play in the league, but it does highlight limited athletic ability. I have zero interest in taking a guy like that in the early rounds of the draft. It is one reason soph's have such a low bust rate. in order to be drafted high, their athletic ability has to be off the charts.

Calhoun flashed when he was a Soph but he never took the next step which evaluators were waiting for. This highlights ability, but maybe a lack of understanding or work ethic. That would keep him off my first round radar.

The hardest part of evaluating college talent is figuring out how they were successful in college and if that translates vs NFL talent. It is why there are more pass rushers in college than in the pros.

athletic ability and football talent are not the same thing. Nassib obviously has talent or he would not have been able to walk on to a major program. The fact that he was a late bloomer is purely semantics...having worked for the weight, and the fact he is only 22...means he will still put on more weight over the next few years.....and the guy never started until his senior year...he played a lot of special teams....Nassib doesn't have a ton of natural athletic ability like many guys do...but he is a football player,.. not just an athlete who plays football...as an LDE, facing ORT's all day...he will be a double digit sack guy in the NFL.....20?? no. But 10? absolutely....with hits and hurries scattered in there as well...............when you add in there that a few years back his own college coach told him to not even think about going pro because he just didn't have it,...well...the motivation and work ethic are stellar....the dude will be a solid starter for a decade.

 

[Chopper0080]

athletic ability and football talent are not the same thing. Nassib obviously has talent or he would not have been able to walk on to a major program. The fact that he was a late bloomer is purely semantics...having worked for the weight, and the fact he is only 22...means he will still put on more weight over the next few years.....and the guy never started until his senior year...he played a lot of special teams....Nassib doesn't have a ton of natural athletic ability like many guys do...but he is a football player,.. not just an athlete who plays football...as an LDE, facing ORT's all day...he will be a double digit sack guy in the NFL.....20?? no. But 10? absolutely....with hits and hurries scattered in there as well...............when you add in there that a few years back his own college coach told him to not even think about going pro because he just didn't have it,...well...the motivation and work ethic are stellar....the dude will be a solid starter for a decade.

I have been around football for long enough, and watched enough player development to not be talked off this ledge. I know this to be true. Nassib worked hard to finally start, and make an impact in his senior year vs very average college athletes. This highlights the fact that he is a work guy vs an athletic guy. So, in the NFL, the land of athletic freaks, Nassib is going to be at a natural disadvantage. Motivation and work ethic can carve out a role for a period of time, but he is not going to be a solid starter...ever. It is the Tony Jefferson argument. He can have a role, he can succeed in that role, but he will never be more than a role player. Same issue with college pass rushers. If it takes you years to be successful vs average college talent, it highlights that you are limited as an athlete and are going to struggle vs top competition every week.

 

[overseascardfan]

I'm looking at the following guys:
CB Sean Smith - At 6'3 218 he is exactly what Keim says he is looking for in a CB. Only 28 and should be less expensive option to a Janoris Jenkins.

S George Iloka - I like the idea of adding another big DB to the mix, particularly if we lose Jefferson & Johnson

DE Charles Johnson - 29 years old and coming off a down year, shouldn't break the bank and could form a nice rotation with CC & Gunter.

C Stefan Wisniewski - I know BASK mentioned internal candidates such as Cooper but I believe that its smoke. Mack is too expensive and Wisniewski is still young enough to be our C for a very long time.

OLB Tamba Hali - Adds to the age of the team but probably the most logical fit in terms of affordability and fit.

I am going to attempt a draft to augment my FA predictions but its hard because if you look at sport site mocks, prospects are all over the place in terms of where they go. So my draft is a best case scenarios not necessarily where these guys may actually end up.

#1 - OLB Noah Spence - I'm hoping his 40 time and interviews drop him down to us because I don't believe those are major flags. He has stayed clean at EKU and he although he ran a 4.8 40, his 10 yard split was impressive which speaks to the quick first step and ability to get to a QB.

#2 - CB Xavien Howard - Ran a slow 40 (4.59) but the kid is a play maker you can put in the slot. Great ball skills (9 INT's in last 2 years).

#3 - QB Dak Prescott - QBOF prospect whom everyone seems to be clamoring for.

#4 - ILB Tyler Matakavic - Reminds me of Zach Thomas, measurables, speed and strength are average but despite that he is a playmaker who had a stellar career at Temple and won the Bronko Nagurski award as college football's best defensive player.

#4 - OT Joe Haeg - Small school guy with nice size (6'6 305) and very agile and versatile (played both OT spots in college).

#5 - OLB Dadi Nicolas - Can never have enough pass rush prospects. Had a down SR year but this guy can really get into the backfield.

#6 - RB Kenyan Drake - Backed up Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and will back up rising star David Johnson in NFL. Kid has size (6'1 210) and speed (4.45 40). Can run and is a good receiver out of the backfield and has some special teams capabilities.

 

[WildBB]

Free agency is going to have a ton to do with the Cardinals approach to the draft. That being said, I will be shocked if the Cardinals do not take advantage of this defensive line class.

Tapper is a good athlete, but i haven't seen much from him. Mayock discussed him playing out of position at OK which could be possible, but I wouldn't go higher than a 3rd or 4th even with that.

Nassib is a guy who I am leery of. No production until he was playing at a significantly older age than other players at a big time college program. Wins with power which is a natural advantage for Sr athletes. I would personally stay away.

I like Burns, but he is more of a 3rd for me. I like Alexander and Apple. There are a couple other CBs that I need to look at before I make any proclamations.

The S class is looking better than I thought which is forcing me to look a bit further into some players like Sean Davis, Justin Simmons, and TJ Green who fit the Cardinals size profile. Karl Joseph was a guy who I didn't dig very much into because of his size, but Mayock comparing him to Earl Thomas will make me look again.

Alot will obviously depend on FA. If they sign a pass rusher for the outside (WOLB, mtl) then they can concentrate on the strength of the draft (DL).

They seem determined to keep DBuc at WILB so he continues to grow at that spot.

So they will have Jefferson, Mathieu and Swearinger already at S, with R. Johnson as still a remote possibility. So depending who falls to their pick either a S, CB or combo, that's mtl the direction they'd go. Personally I think CB (opposite PP) seems to be more of the pressing need.

Since our picks are at the end of the rounds they are almost like following rd. picks. That's my mind set. So getting Nassib or Burns at the end of the 2nd Rd. is pretty good, imo.

 

[WildBB]

I am going to attempt a draft to augment my FA predictions but its hard because if you look at sport site mocks, prospects are all over the place in terms of where they go. So my draft is a best case scenarios not necessarily where these guys may actually end up.

#1 - OLB Noah Spence - I'm hoping his 40 time and interviews drop him down to us because I don't believe those are major flags. He has stayed clean at EKU and he although he ran a 4.8 40, his 10 yard split was impressive which speaks to the quick first step and ability to get to a QB.

#2 - CB Xavien Howard - Ran a slow 40 (4.59) but the kid is a play maker you can put in the slot. Great ball skills (9 INT's in last 2 years).

#3 - QB Dak Prescott - QBOF prospect whom everyone seems to be clamoring for.

#4 - ILB Tyler Matakavic - Reminds me of Zach Thomas, measurables, speed and strength are average but despite that he is a playmaker who had a stellar career at Temple and won the Bronko Nagurski award as college football's best defensive player.

#4 - OT Joe Haeg - Small school guy with nice size (6'6 305) and very agile and versatile (played both OT spots in college).

#5 - OLB Dadi Nicolas - Can never have enough pass rush prospects. Had a down SR year but this guy can really get into the backfield.

#6 - RB Kenyan Drake - Backed up Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and will back up rising star David Johnson in NFL. Kid has size (6'1 210) and speed (4.45 40). Can run and is a good receiver out of the backfield and has some special teams capabilities.

And you think that will push him to the back end of the 4th Rd? We can dream! Someone will take a flyer on him in the 3rd, mtl. Same with Scooby Wright. They can both play in this league.

 

[overseascardfan]

And you think that will push him to the back end of the 4th Rd? We can dream! Someone will take a flyer on him in the 3rd, mtl. Same with Scooby Wright. They can both play in this league.

Like I said mocks have players all over the place. Some teams are all about measurables some don't care. Players can slide big time if they have a bad showing at the Combine. If he has a bad pro day then he could make it to Round 4.

 

[DVontel]

I am going to attempt a draft to augment my FA predictions but its hard because if you look at sport site mocks, prospects are all over the place in terms of where they go. So my draft is a best case scenarios not necessarily where these guys may actually end up.

#1 - OLB Noah Spence - I'm hoping his 40 time and interviews drop him down to us because I don't believe those are major flags. He has stayed clean at EKU and he although he ran a 4.8 40, his 10 yard split was impressive which speaks to the quick first step and ability to get to a QB.

#2 - CB Xavien Howard - Ran a slow 40 (4.59) but the kid is a play maker you can put in the slot. Great ball skills (9 INT's in last 2 years).

#3 - QB Dak Prescott - QBOF prospect whom everyone seems to be clamoring for.

#4 - ILB Tyler Matakavic - Reminds me of Zach Thomas, measurables, speed and strength are average but despite that he is a playmaker who had a stellar career at Temple and won the Bronko Nagurski award as college football's best defensive player.

#4 - OT Joe Haeg - Small school guy with nice size (6'6 305) and very agile and versatile (played both OT spots in college).

#5 - OLB Dadi Nicolas - Can never have enough pass rush prospects. Had a down SR year but this guy can really get into the backfield.

#6 - RB Kenyan Drake - Backed up Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and will back up rising star David Johnson in NFL. Kid has size (6'1 210) and speed (4.45 40). Can run and is a good receiver out of the backfield and has some special teams capabilities.

I love the Noah and Kenyan picks.

The others, epseically Xavien(who is a Brandon Browner clone, which isn't good) and taking Dak that early, please no.

 

[Ohcrap75]

For the second time I have read that the Cardinals like S Keanu Neal from Florida. This one was from Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, so who knows if there is any substance behind it. He seems to be one of the least talked about projected second rounders. Anybody have any insight on this player? Thanks

 

[oaken1]

For the second time I have read that the Cardinals like S Keanu Neal from Florida. This one was from Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, so who knows if there is any substance behind it. He seems to be one of the least talked about projected second rounders. Anybody have any insight on this player? Thanks

we would probably have to pick him with our first pick. Safety is not deep in this draft as far as guys who can help this year.

I still like Jayron Kearse... but he would not help us this year...still needs development, footwork, angles..etc. probably a 3-4th rnd pick

don't think BASK will go S in the first...too many opportunities to get a guy on the D-line,..or even the O-Line


either way I am pretty sure the top 2 safeties will be gone by the time we pick in the second

 

[WildBB]

we would probably have to pick him with our first pick. Safety is not deep in this draft as far as guys who can help this year.

I still like Jayron Kearse... but he would not help us this year...still needs development, footwork, angles..etc. probably a 3-4th rnd pick

don't think BASK will go S in the first...too many opportunities to get a guy on the D-line,..or even the O-Line


either way I am pretty sure the top 2 safeties will be gone by the time we pick in the second

Pass rusher or OL or CB in 1st.

They could trade back like they did with Bucannon and take Neal in the beginning of the 2nd Rd. maybe.

This will be determined by our FA pick ups.