Gandhi mock draft

[Gandhi]

I'm talking about the part where you said the Broncos were offering #20, a third round, and a day three pick. If you have to consider who you're taking you absolutely make that trade. A third round pick can be an immediate good starter.

I understand your point, and maybe I should have been satisfied with Stewart. Later I found out that the Seahawks would have taken Stewart at #18, so I would have lost out on both Williams and Stewart, but of course, I did not know at that time. I went with Williams because he have more production in college than Stewart.

My thinking at the time – as well as now – is that I prefer the physical freak to the highly productive player in the first round, especially for the Cardinals. You could argue that Ezeiruaku has enough physical ability, but I see Williams and Stewart as potential superstars, and I mentioned how that is what I am targeting in the draft. Ezeiruaku was an option if I did not get one of those two.

Another thing is that we don’t know that much about Ojulari, but at least coming out of LSU, his play style was more suited for the SAM-role in nickel-defense than the defensive end in base. If I selected Ezeiruaku he would definitely play that role, and since Browning is also obvious for that, Ojulari would be moved to defensive end in base.

Further they have Xavier Thomas who is also on the lighter side. Neither Ossenfort nor Gannon have a history with edge players of that size before coming to the Cards, so I guess I just don’t see them bringing in another slightly undersized edge player. Mykel Williams have had play of dominance as an edge defender at Georgia (so one of them in Cards’ nickel) and have shown the strength to play defensive end in base.

So, there was several thoughts that went into it, but again, maybe I should have gambled and hoped for either Williams or Stewart at #20. That is a fair point.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I understand your point, and maybe I should have been satisfied with Stewart. Later I found out that the Seahawks would have taken Stewart at #18, so I would have lost out on both Williams and Stewart, but of course, I did not know at that time. I went with Williams because he have more production in college than Stewart.

My thinking at the time – as well as now – is that I prefer the physical freak to the highly productive player in the first round, especially for the Cardinals. You could argue that Ezeiruaku has enough physical ability, but I see Williams and Stewart as potential superstars, and I mentioned how that is what I am targeting in the draft. Ezeiruaku was an option if I did not get one of those two.

Another thing is that we don’t know that much about Ojulari, but at least coming out of LSU, his play style was more suited for the SAM-role in nickel-defense than the defensive end in base. If I selected Ezeiruaku he would definitely play that role, and since Browning is also obvious for that, Ojulari would be moved to defensive end in base.

Further they have Xavier Thomas who is also on the lighter side. Neither Ossenfort nor Gannon have a history with edge players of that size before coming to the Cards, so I guess I just don’t see them bringing in another slightly undersized edge player. Mykel Williams have had play of dominance as an edge defender at Georgia (so one of them in Cards’ nickel) and have shown the strength to play defensive end in base.

So, there was several thoughts that went into it, but again, maybe I should have gambled and hoped for either Williams or Stewart at #20. That is a fair point.

I think you don't move off of complete prospects...what I mean by that, is guys who have traits and production

My problem with pretty much all the edge prospects is that they don't check both these boxes. I think if the Cardinals are sitting at 16 and there are 4-5 guys they like, they absolutely SHOULD trade down if there is a good trade package.

 

[BulldogCard]

I feel a pass rusher will be there and maybe a DT, but that 16 spot is tricky, tough to draft out of. One wants to make a safe pick and just get a great guard. The issue is pass rushers, solid DTs are important; especially with this team for so many reasons. KM with a lead plays and carries himself better when the D can get off the field, get to the opposing team's quarterback and create pressures. It is tough to know who the next stud will be while fitting the system. Is it Pearce? Nolen? Green? A guy like Grant or Williams? Can the Cards pick the next golden pick that will change their franchise forever? It's tough to get that if you go guard like Donavan Jackson or the guy from NDSU. If it doesn't work, people will flip. So pass rusher because they are so tough to find seems the direction I predict the Cards likely go.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

One of my guys suggested N’Keal Harry

I think Harry is an opposite of this argument. Didn’t he test poorly but was drafted highly based in his production.

 

[Gandhi]

My problem with pretty much all the edge prospects is that they don't check both these boxes. I think if the Cardinals are sitting at 16 and there are 4-5 guys they like, they absolutely SHOULD trade down if there is a good trade package.

I sort of agree, but I think that since there is something wrong with all of them, you go with the upside. Williams and Stewart can be great, and even though the others can too, I would just guess that the possibility is bigger with better talents.

I guess it mostly comes down to philosophical approach. Some people would not touch Williams and Stewart in the first round.

 

[Gandhi]

Round 3

As my pick came closer, the Bears contacted me about buying #78. I wanted to sell because I had several targets, and the Bears were at #82, so I would still get one I like. However, the Bears didn’t have many picks after trading earlier, and they did not want to part way with their 5th rounder, so they could only offer me #240 (7th). I thought about it and decided to accept. It was too little, but on the other hand it was still more than nothing. Maybe I can use the pick as ammunition later, if there is someone I want to trade up for, and if not, well, there is no such thing as a worthless draft pick. Maybe I can select a future Hall of Famer.

My targets both before and after the trade were:

Denzel Burke, cornerback, Ohio State

He was awesome in 2023 – surefire first-round pick – but then had a bad year in 2024. At times he looked undraftable, but most often he just looked fine. However, we have seen the potential, and I believe in Gannon’s abilities with cornerbacks.

Kyle Williams, wide receiver, Washington State

Williams caught my eye at the Senior Bowl where he won almost all his one-on-one reps. That made me look more into it, and he has also played very well at Washington State. I especially like his acceleration, and I think Cards need more of a speed element at WR. At the Senior Bowl, Williams was measured with the highest top speed of any participants (21.36 mph).

Quincy Riley, cornerback, Louisville

Another player that got my attention at the Senior Bowl. I think he was the best CB there. He excels in man coverage, which is interesting because Nick Rallis called one of the highest amounts of cover 0-defenses (pure man coverage with no deep defender) in the NFL. Check this out:

Lowest passer rating allowed in single coverage in FBS since 2014:

1 – Sauce Gardner – 15.2

2 – Quincy Riley – 29.5

3 – Someone – 44.6

Demetrius Knight, linebacker, South Carolina

I like Knight a lot, and I think he would be a good replacement for Kyzir White.

Josaiah Stewart, edge rusher, Michigan

Yes, I understand that it would be a little much to go edge rusher with two of the first three selections, but I am a huge fan of Stewart. Maybe my favorite player in the entire draft. He is too small, but he plays so hard and aggressively, and he does get results from it. I believe he has one of the highest pass rush win rates against true pass sets (no screen passes, rollouts and play action passes). I would be very excited with him as the pass rushing SAM in nickel-defense.

With the #82 pick the Arizona Cardinals select

Deone Walker, nose tackle, Kentucky

I wanted Grant in the first round, and when I did not get him, I knew I had to find the right spot for a NT somewhere, because I badly want them to upgrade the defensive line. Getting Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones back, and signing Dalvin Tomlinson, will likely make it better – even after losing Roy Lopez – but I want more.

However, it needs to be a certain type of DT, so I had to position myself to where it made sense. I thought about trading far up to target Alfred Collins, who I considered with my second-round pick, but the prize would have been too high. Joshua Farmer and Jordan Phillips would be more of what they already have, and Shemar Turner is a bad scheme fit. So, should it only be a later round pick? I was pretty much out of obvious options.

So I decided to go with a major boom-or-bust prospect in Walker. I said from the start that I would target potential superstars in the draft, and Walker could potentially be that. I think that he is an early day three guy, but I figured that I would have to take him with this pick because of the potential he brings. Someone would have taken a chance on him. He is a mammoth human being, but he also has the movement skills of a much smaller player. He could be great in their one-and-a-half gap scheme as he showed with some of his reps at the Senior Bowl where there were flashes of dominance. He brings something to the defensive line that they don’t currently have in any other player.

He had a down year, both on video and statistically, but it was later revealed that he played with a broken back. That sounds difficult to do, but as far as I know, he is supposed to heal up fine.

His biggest problem is that his stamina is simply not good enough. He disappears from games. But that is correctable, plus it should help him a lot to be part of a bigger rotation. There are also some technique issues, but I put my hope in the new defensive line-coach to fix that.

I think he has a very high ceiling, but he could probably also completely flame out.

On day three (fourth round through the rest) the boards are so individual that I would not be surprised if some of my targets were still available the next time I pick.

 

[Stout]

Round 3

As my pick came closer, the Bears contacted me about buying #78. I wanted to sell because I had several targets, and the Bears were at #82, so I would still get one I like. However, the Bears didn’t have many picks after trading earlier, and they did not want to part way with their 5th rounder, so they could only offer me #240 (7th). I thought about it and decided to accept. It was too little, but on the other hand it was still more than nothing. Maybe I can use the pick as ammunition later, if there is someone I want to trade up for, and if not, well, there is no such thing as a worthless draft pick. Maybe I can select a future Hall of Famer.

My targets both before and after the trade were:

Denzel Burke, cornerback, Ohio State

He was awesome in 2023 – surefire first-round pick – but then had a bad year in 2024. At times he looked undraftable, but most often he just looked fine. However, we have seen the potential, and I believe in Gannon’s abilities with cornerbacks.

Kyle Williams, wide receiver, Washington State

Williams caught my eye at the Senior Bowl where he won almost all his one-on-one reps. That made me look more into it, and he has also played very well at Washington State. I especially like his acceleration, and I think Cards need more of a speed element at WR. At the Senior Bowl, Williams was measured with the highest top speed of any participants (21.36 mph).

Quincy Riley, cornerback, Louisville

Another player that got my attention at the Senior Bowl. I think he was the best CB there. He excels in man coverage, which is interesting because Nick Rallis called one of the highest amounts of cover 0-defenses (pure man coverage with no deep defender) in the NFL. Check this out:

Lowest passer rating allowed in single coverage in FBS since 2014:

1 – Sauce Gardner – 15.2

2 – Quincy Riley – 29.5

3 – Someone – 44.6

Demetrius Knight, linebacker, South Carolina

I like Knight a lot, and I think he would be a good replacement for Kyzir White.

Josaiah Stewart, edge rusher, Michigan

Yes, I understand that it would be a little much to go edge rusher with two of the first three selections, but I am a huge fan of Stewart. Maybe my favorite player in the entire draft. He is too small, but he plays so hard and aggressively, and he does get results from it. I believe he has one of the highest pass rush win rates against true pass sets (no screen passes, rollouts and play action passes). I would be very excited with him as the pass rushing SAM in nickel-defense.

With the #82 pick the Arizona Cardinals select

Deone Walker, nose tackle, Kentucky

I wanted Grant in the first round, and when I did not get him, I knew I had to find the right spot for a NT somewhere, because I badly want them to upgrade the defensive line. Getting Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones back, and signing Dalvin Tomlinson, will likely make it better – even after losing Roy Lopez – but I want more.

However, it needs to be a certain type of DT, so I had to position myself to where it made sense. I thought about trading far up to target Alfred Collins, who I considered with my second-round pick, but the prize would have been too high. Joshua Farmer and Jordan Phillips would be more of what they already have, and Shemar Turner is a bad scheme fit. So, should it only be a later round pick? I was pretty much out of obvious options.

So I decided to go with a major boom-or-bust prospect in Walker. I said from the start that I would target potential superstars in the draft, and Walker could potentially be that. I think that he is an early day three guy, but I figured that I would have to take him with this pick because of the potential he brings. Someone would have taken a chance on him. He is a mammoth human being, but he also has the movement skills of a much smaller player. He could be great in their one-and-a-half gap scheme as he showed with some of his reps at the Senior Bowl where there were flashes of dominance. He brings something to the defensive line that they don’t currently have in any other player.

He had a down year, both on video and statistically, but it was later revealed that he played with a broken back. That sounds difficult to do, but as far as I know, he is supposed to heal up fine.

His biggest problem is that his stamina is simply not good enough. He disappears from games. But that is correctable, plus it should help him a lot to be part of a bigger rotation. There are also some technique issues, but I put my hope in the new defensive line-coach to fix that.

I think he has a very high ceiling, but he could probably also completely flame out.

On day three (fourth round through the rest) the boards are so individual that I would not be surprised if some of my targets were still available the next time I pick.

He'd be a good gamble in the 3rd. High upside, low floor, but it's the 3rd round.

 

[DVontel]

He'd be a good gamble in the 3rd. High upside, low floor, but it's the 3rd round.

Still way too high.

Pass on work-ethic players until late Day 3.

 

[Gandhi]

Still way too high.

Pass on work-ethic players until late Day 3.

By all accounts, he is supposedly a great leader with a fine work-ethic. He played an average of 50 snaps per game which is way too much.

 

[Harry]

I think Harry is an opposite of this argument. Didn’t he test poorly but was drafted highly based in his production.

From Fansided, “
By running a solid 4.53 forty-yard dash at 6’2″, 228 pounds, Harry dispelled the notion that he’s too slow to shine at the next level. While Harry’s 40 time isn’t in the same ballpark as the Herculean D.K. Metcalf or 6’5″ monster Hakeem Butler, speed might not be a liability for the ASU product in the NFL.

Widely expected to be drafted on Day 2, Harry may be locked in as a second-round pick. His other Combine numbers were quite good, too, as he posted a strong 27 reps on the bench press (tying Metcalf) and a 38.5-inch vertical that also ranked among the top 10 prospects at the wide receiver position.”

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

From Fansided, “
By running a solid 4.53 forty-yard dash at 6’2″, 228 pounds, Harry dispelled the notion that he’s too slow to shine at the next level. While Harry’s 40 time isn’t in the same ballpark as the Herculean D.K. Metcalf or 6’5″ monster Hakeem Butler, speed might not be a liability for the ASU product in the NFL.

Widely expected to be drafted on Day 2, Harry may be locked in as a second-round pick. His other Combine numbers were quite good, too, as he posted a strong 27 reps on the bench press (tying Metcalf) and a 38.5-inch vertical that also ranked among the top 10 prospects at the wide receiver position.”

Interesting. His numbers were better than I recalled. Thanks for sharing.

That said, I still don’t think he falls into the failed workout warrior category. He was always likely to go late first/early second. I don’t think his testing rocketed him up draft boards.

 

[BulldogCard]

I sort of agree, but I think that since there is something wrong with all of them, you go with the upside. Williams and Stewart can be great, and even though the others can too, I would just guess that the possibility is bigger with better talents.

I guess it mostly comes down to philosophical approach. Some people would not touch Williams and Stewart in the first round.

I have heard people say Williams will be a good pro because he can play pro systems well from his Georgia experience and has the athleticism. I also hear don't pass on a big Ole DT like Grant. Especially after passing on Carter.

 

[Gandhi]

Round 4

Only one of my targets from the last pick was still on the board, so you could say this was an easy pick. However, I did consider another selection.

Kyle McCord, quarterback, Syracuse

I will start this little write-up by noting that I don’t believe in Kyler Murray. I have lost hope that he can lead the team longer than maybe one playoff-game.

I have been a fan of McCord since before Christmas when I saw him play for the first time (other than viewing film of Marvin Harrison).

First of all, there is something to be said about driving a team to success, and McCord obviously did that by leading Ohio State to an 11-1 record and a Bowl win, and Syracuse to their best record since 2018 and a Bowl win.

Second, Jordan Palmer might be the best personal draft prospect-quarterback coach out there, and it piqued my interest even more when I found out that he basically recruited McCord to train under him. It’s usually the other way around.

One of the most interesting things Palmer is working on is to make quarterback-play more measurable, so that evaluations can be more objective. One step in that process was when he hosted the Wilson QBX Throwing Session at the East-West Shrine-Game. In that they used footballs with censors in them, and McCord’s performance was the best among the participants in several categories:

Spiral efficiency – 93% (NFL average is 81%. McCord in 95+ percentile)

Spin rate – 699 RPM average (NFL average is 592 RPM. McCord in 95+ percentile)

Velocity – 49.4 MPH average (NFL average is 44.8 MPH. McCord in 95+ percentile)

Velocity max – 55.7 MPH (NFL average is 52.6 MPH. McCord in 80+ percentile).

Another tool that Palmer uses, is something called an AIQ test, which was invented and developed by two psychologists, and is used across all the big sport leagues in the US, including 10 NFL teams. It is designed to determine a QB’s complete intelligence profile, as well as his ability to physically and mentally solve the “constantly mutating puzzle” of an NFL game (the creators’ words). The test measure things like learning efficiency, spatial awareness, reaction time and what is called “manipulation/rotation”, which is the quarterbacks’ ability to read a defense from the pocket. McCord’s performance on the test was elite, including scoring the highest bucket (superior) in five different categories, and being very close in two others.

Further, when blitzed, McCord was the second-best QB among quarterback prospects from 2023 and 2024 in their last season in college, and when pressured, he was number 4 behind only Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy.

Is all that data enough to take a chance on McCord? Well, in the 4th round I certainly think it is. The only reason I did not take him is what I have been saying all along – that this draft is about finding the superstars. McCord might become that, but this year he probably doesn’t do much. I think they will only carry two quarterbacks on the final 53, and Brissett is obviously the primary backup.

With the #115 pick the Arizona Cardinals select

Denzel Burke, cornerback, Ohio State

I think many people are too negative on Burke. Sure, he was humiliated in the first game against Oregon, but for the most part he was fine the rest of the season. He was awesome in both 2021 and 2023, so his biggest problem is obviously stability. I am banking on Gannon’s magic with cornerbacks here, and if he can raise Burke’s floor, he might have a true #1 on his team.

I am very confused about which CB’s the Cards like the most. Gannon has a long history with one type, but then Ossenfort draft Elijah Jones and bring in Asante Samuel for a visit – two outside cornerbacks that are very far from what Gannon have been working with for 12 years across five teams. But I take a guess and are going back to the type that he has always preferred.

By the way, Marvin Harrison can probably tell them a thing or two about how good Denzel Burke can be.

It will be a while now until I am on the clock again. Probably at some point in the weekend, I would guess. I obviously cannot say now what position I will target, but I hope there is a WR of value at that spot. We will see.