This is my final mock draft for the Cards. If I get one or two picks right I will be pleased with myself, so because there is no chance I will be correct on the last pick I thought I would make it a little controversial and fun.
1.Robert Quinn, SOLB, North Carolina.
2.Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor.
3.Brandon Burton, CB, Utah.
4.DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma.
5.Alex Wujciak, ILB, Maryland.
6.Willie Smith, OT, East Carolina.
7.Chris Walker, DE, Tennessee.
8.Matt Szczur, Do-it-all, Villanova.
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I think there are three options with the first pick. Robert Quinn, Patrick Peterson or a trade down.
It is considered a public secret that Von Miller will be the pick if he’s on the board at #5. I don’t think that’s a given. Ray Horton is not only a Steeler-disciple, but a true Lebeau-disciple from all the way back to their days in Cincinnati. So I think he will agree completely with Lebeau’s criteria for a 3-4 rush linebacker, which was pointed out be their LB-coach Keith Butler a few months ago. In their scheme a linebacker needs to have both a bullrush and a speed rush. If they don’t have both, they can’t play in Pittsburgh. Like I said, I expect Horton to bring that philosophy with him to Arizona. Von Miller has no bullrush, and to me that eliminates him.
Furthermore he is a pure WOLB. That’s the same role Schofield is expected to take, and I believe the coaches are pretty high on him. As am I.
Robert Quinn on the other hand is big and strong. He can play the strongside, and he is fast enough to turn the corner. In other words, he lives up to the Steelers’ criteria. Obviously I realize that he didn’t play last season, so some kind of learning-curve is to be expected. But that’s the case with any rookie, and not only do I see Quinn fit in, I also think his ceiling is about as high as it gets.
Patrick Peterson is another possibility. He simply has to be, if he slides down to #5. I just think zone defense is a weakness, compared to all of his strengths, and I don’t think it would be the best thing to draft a guy that not necessarily fits the system. Adam Schefter just reported recently that Houston absolutely loves Peterson, and I think it would be wise to hear what they might be willing to offer to move up. If the deal is good, and if the coaches really want a CB, they could take Amukamara at #11. I think he fits better than Peterson.
That said, Patrick Peterson is so talented, that he could probably play any defensive system. That’s why I think he is a very good possibility.
Anyway, I won’t try to predict any trades in this mock draft as it’s almost impossible. So I go with Robert Quinn with the first pick.
For the second pick I once again see a few options. I don’t think a trade down is in the picture here, as someone really good are almost destined to slide down this far.
I think they will either go ILB or O-line.
My guess is the coaches were extremely sad to see Dansby walk. We all know they offered the same deal as Miami, and how Whis and Graves talked him up. To have that big thumper that can also move, cover a bit and play in space is something this defense lacks big time. On top of that Dansby was considered a leader of the defense alongside Dockett and Wilson.
Martez Wilson is definitely an intriguing prospect. He has the size, speed and athletic ability that was lost with Dansby. In the last season he also turned into a leader at Illinois. He hits like a bus and he can play the run. I think he would be a really good compliment to Washington. Not that Lenon had a bad last season, by the way. He’s just not that talented.
Now, the knock on Wilson is his injury history. He missed all of 2009 with an injury, but since then he has recovered nicely. Because of that he is also considered somewhat of a one year wonder, but it’s obviously impossible to know is he would have played up to his potential the year before had he not been injured.
Danny Watkins is the other guy I think the coaches would love to see at this spot. Everybody loves Watkins, and I would be surprised if the Cards feel any different.
Yes, he will be a 27 year old rookie, but I really don’t see that as a problem. If he’s any good, he will play for 6-7-8 years anyway. Besides, he is way more mature than most of the other rookies. He’s a former firefighter, so he is used to carrying out orders and sacrifices himself in different situations. You just know that is the type of player any coach dream about.
I see him fit with the Cards because of his mean streak that Grimm covets. Also, who knows if Lutui is re-signed, and Watkins is an ideal fit at LG. Speaking of ideal fit, he played LT at Baylor, but are by most projected at OG in the NFL. Some have him projected to play center, though. That versatility would be sweet to have on the O-line.
For this pick I go with Danny Watkins.
I think the third pick will be used to fill out a need at either CB or ILB. I don’t see any ILB’s worthy of this spot, so I go to CB.
Brandon Burton seems to fit in nicely. He is pretty physical, but also is very good at playing read and react, which is quite important to a zone CB. He never really fulfilled his potential at Utah but there is no denying that he has a high ceiling.
In the fourth round they have to look at ILB again, but also this time comes away with none worthy of the selection. They have brought in multiple RB for draft visits, and I could see them lean that way if DeMarco Murray is available here.
He is a tough runner, but also very good in the passing game. The Cards don’t have the blocking or the game plan for a pure power runner, so in my mind it would be very wise to go with a more nifty back who can participate in the passing game. Murray is also a serviceable pass blocker.
In the fifth round I could see them finally find an ILB with value. Alex Wujciak is my sleeper pick. He is a highly productive player from Maryland who stands out in the way that he is not the athletic freak most players out of Maryland is.
A three year starter and team captain, Wujciak was voted to the All-ACC first team this past season. He is big, hard-hitting and very hard working. He has some athleticism although it is not his biggest asset.
He is my favorite ILB apart from Martez Wilson.
I have obviously no idea what they will do in the sixth round, so my picks here are mostly due to the biggest needs on the team.
Willie Smith is a mauler on the O-line, so I could see him being Grimm’s newest toy.
Chris Walker is a DE that could probably be moved to OLB. He could also be a pretty good ST-player.
In the seventh round I wanted to make an unusual and in my opinion fun pick. So I went with Matt Szczur. He was drafted earlier on by the Chicago Cubs in the MLB. He is however an electrifying player who can play QB, WR, RB, TE and probably more positions as well. Just because he was drafted to the MLB doesn’t mean he can’t be drafted by an NFL-team. It just means he might never play. However, he has previously said numerous times that he would prefer football over baseball, so although he ended up accepting an offer from a baseball-team I could see him change his mind if he had a fair chance to play in the NFL. He even stated a few months ago that realistically his biggest shot at making a living from his sport was through the MLB, indicating that he didn’t think he had a chance in the NFL. Now he is on the Cubs’ farmer team so I don’t think it would take that much to make him work out in TC. I think it would be worth a shot.
1.Robert Quinn, SOLB, North Carolina.
2.Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor.
3.Brandon Burton, CB, Utah.
4.DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma.
5.Alex Wujciak, ILB, Maryland.
6.Willie Smith, OT, East Carolina.
7.Chris Walker, DE, Tennessee.
8.Matt Szczur, Do-it-all, Villanova.
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I think there are three options with the first pick. Robert Quinn, Patrick Peterson or a trade down.
It is considered a public secret that Von Miller will be the pick if he’s on the board at #5. I don’t think that’s a given. Ray Horton is not only a Steeler-disciple, but a true Lebeau-disciple from all the way back to their days in Cincinnati. So I think he will agree completely with Lebeau’s criteria for a 3-4 rush linebacker, which was pointed out be their LB-coach Keith Butler a few months ago. In their scheme a linebacker needs to have both a bullrush and a speed rush. If they don’t have both, they can’t play in Pittsburgh. Like I said, I expect Horton to bring that philosophy with him to Arizona. Von Miller has no bullrush, and to me that eliminates him.
Furthermore he is a pure WOLB. That’s the same role Schofield is expected to take, and I believe the coaches are pretty high on him. As am I.
Robert Quinn on the other hand is big and strong. He can play the strongside, and he is fast enough to turn the corner. In other words, he lives up to the Steelers’ criteria. Obviously I realize that he didn’t play last season, so some kind of learning-curve is to be expected. But that’s the case with any rookie, and not only do I see Quinn fit in, I also think his ceiling is about as high as it gets.
Patrick Peterson is another possibility. He simply has to be, if he slides down to #5. I just think zone defense is a weakness, compared to all of his strengths, and I don’t think it would be the best thing to draft a guy that not necessarily fits the system. Adam Schefter just reported recently that Houston absolutely loves Peterson, and I think it would be wise to hear what they might be willing to offer to move up. If the deal is good, and if the coaches really want a CB, they could take Amukamara at #11. I think he fits better than Peterson.
That said, Patrick Peterson is so talented, that he could probably play any defensive system. That’s why I think he is a very good possibility.
Anyway, I won’t try to predict any trades in this mock draft as it’s almost impossible. So I go with Robert Quinn with the first pick.
For the second pick I once again see a few options. I don’t think a trade down is in the picture here, as someone really good are almost destined to slide down this far.
I think they will either go ILB or O-line.
My guess is the coaches were extremely sad to see Dansby walk. We all know they offered the same deal as Miami, and how Whis and Graves talked him up. To have that big thumper that can also move, cover a bit and play in space is something this defense lacks big time. On top of that Dansby was considered a leader of the defense alongside Dockett and Wilson.
Martez Wilson is definitely an intriguing prospect. He has the size, speed and athletic ability that was lost with Dansby. In the last season he also turned into a leader at Illinois. He hits like a bus and he can play the run. I think he would be a really good compliment to Washington. Not that Lenon had a bad last season, by the way. He’s just not that talented.
Now, the knock on Wilson is his injury history. He missed all of 2009 with an injury, but since then he has recovered nicely. Because of that he is also considered somewhat of a one year wonder, but it’s obviously impossible to know is he would have played up to his potential the year before had he not been injured.
Danny Watkins is the other guy I think the coaches would love to see at this spot. Everybody loves Watkins, and I would be surprised if the Cards feel any different.
Yes, he will be a 27 year old rookie, but I really don’t see that as a problem. If he’s any good, he will play for 6-7-8 years anyway. Besides, he is way more mature than most of the other rookies. He’s a former firefighter, so he is used to carrying out orders and sacrifices himself in different situations. You just know that is the type of player any coach dream about.
I see him fit with the Cards because of his mean streak that Grimm covets. Also, who knows if Lutui is re-signed, and Watkins is an ideal fit at LG. Speaking of ideal fit, he played LT at Baylor, but are by most projected at OG in the NFL. Some have him projected to play center, though. That versatility would be sweet to have on the O-line.
For this pick I go with Danny Watkins.
I think the third pick will be used to fill out a need at either CB or ILB. I don’t see any ILB’s worthy of this spot, so I go to CB.
Brandon Burton seems to fit in nicely. He is pretty physical, but also is very good at playing read and react, which is quite important to a zone CB. He never really fulfilled his potential at Utah but there is no denying that he has a high ceiling.
In the fourth round they have to look at ILB again, but also this time comes away with none worthy of the selection. They have brought in multiple RB for draft visits, and I could see them lean that way if DeMarco Murray is available here.
He is a tough runner, but also very good in the passing game. The Cards don’t have the blocking or the game plan for a pure power runner, so in my mind it would be very wise to go with a more nifty back who can participate in the passing game. Murray is also a serviceable pass blocker.
In the fifth round I could see them finally find an ILB with value. Alex Wujciak is my sleeper pick. He is a highly productive player from Maryland who stands out in the way that he is not the athletic freak most players out of Maryland is.
A three year starter and team captain, Wujciak was voted to the All-ACC first team this past season. He is big, hard-hitting and very hard working. He has some athleticism although it is not his biggest asset.
He is my favorite ILB apart from Martez Wilson.
I have obviously no idea what they will do in the sixth round, so my picks here are mostly due to the biggest needs on the team.
Willie Smith is a mauler on the O-line, so I could see him being Grimm’s newest toy.
Chris Walker is a DE that could probably be moved to OLB. He could also be a pretty good ST-player.
In the seventh round I wanted to make an unusual and in my opinion fun pick. So I went with Matt Szczur. He was drafted earlier on by the Chicago Cubs in the MLB. He is however an electrifying player who can play QB, WR, RB, TE and probably more positions as well. Just because he was drafted to the MLB doesn’t mean he can’t be drafted by an NFL-team. It just means he might never play. However, he has previously said numerous times that he would prefer football over baseball, so although he ended up accepting an offer from a baseball-team I could see him change his mind if he had a fair chance to play in the NFL. He even stated a few months ago that realistically his biggest shot at making a living from his sport was through the MLB, indicating that he didn’t think he had a chance in the NFL. Now he is on the Cubs’ farmer team so I don’t think it would take that much to make him work out in TC. I think it would be worth a shot.
