Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The first thing I have determined is that there are 3 players that I would take at #24 without hesitation. They are:
Cameron Erving, C/G/T, Florida St.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Alvin Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
However, I do not think that any of these players will be available as in my latest first round mock I have the Bears taking Dupree at #7, the Dolphins taking Erving at #14 and the Chargers taking Gordon at #17.
#1 Priority: OLB---Edge Rusher. In my mind, we simply cannot go another year without addressing that vital position in our defense.
The 3 OLBs I am interested in most are:
1. Hau'oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington.
2. Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
3. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, OLB, UCLA
Now---here's the thing: Kikaha is not considered a first rounder in any of the well-known rankings. ESPN Todd McShay said yesterday that he considers Kikaha a "wild dog" as a pass rusher, that he's a first round talent if it weren't for his past knee issues. I agree---although---what impressed me so much was that Kikaha came back from his ACL rehab in 2013 to register 13.5 sacks as a redshirt junior and then this past year as a redshirt senior he registered 19.0 sacks, 72 tackles (25 tackles for loss) and forced 3 fumbles. He was a unanimous All-American. And get this---he had at least 1 sack in all 14 games he played. I don't think I have ever seen that (at least one sack in every game) from any college prospect.
Some scouts wonder about his size (6-2, 246)---and typically the Cardinals say they like OLBs with length.
However, I think Kikaha's size works to his advantage and the Cardinals' because longer DEs and OLBs have a more difficult time corralling and tackling RusselL Wilson. I think Kikaha's uncanny ability to pressure the QB and redirect to chase the QB down is made to order for what the Cardinals need on the edge.
When I watch Harold and Odi, I see top heavy upper bodies and tighter hips (in fact, Odi has hip issues) and I see that they struggle dipping their pad level for tackles as quick as an edge rusher needs to do in order to get to the QBs legs. Plus, neither one of them has the explosive first step off the snap.
What I like about Harold is how strong his punch is and how he can swarm the edge or bullrush it. He doesn't redirect as well as Kikaha---but he's got a lot of hustle to his game. Same with Odi---who physically is about as ideal as one can be for an NFL 34OLB.
But then one has to consider the production.
Harold had 7 sacks last year---0 in his last 4 games---and only 1.5 in his last 7 games.
Obi had 6 sacks last year.
Consider the case of Barkevious Mingo, the LSU OLB who was taken at #6 in the 2013 draft. The concern about him was production as pass rusher. Well, guess how many sacks Mingo has in his first two seasons with the Browns?
Seven.
We got 8 out of Alex Okafor this past season. Okafor was much more productive in college than Mingo, albeit that Mingo is the better athlete. But is he the better pass rusher?
My point is---if a player isn't getting good production in college, then it's harder to think he will be able to do so in the NFL.
Hau'oli Kikaha has the motor, the speed, the power, the instincts and the variety of moves in ways in which Mingo, Harold and Obighizuwa do not.
Some will wonder whether Kikaha would start as a rookie.
To me it doesn't matter whether he starts because all we need him to do in his first year is rush the passer.
Just as the coaches designated Deone Bucannon to a key role in his first season, this is what they can do with Kikaha.
As for Bucannon---I think that kid is going to be a stud. He already is the hardest, bone-jarring tackler on the defense. He is a tone setter on a team that needs tone setters. Just wait until he gets accustomed to his role as a SS. Man, he is going to be exciting.
I think the Cardinals can do just what they did last year---trade down a few spots in the first round, add an extra pick (3rd or 4th rounder) and take the best and most productive pass rusher on the board in Hau'oli Kikaha.
if anyone thinks Kikaha will make it to #55, there is no way, not with his motor and not with so many teams hungry for pass rushers. In fact, it would suprirse me if the Colts take him at #29 or Green Bay at #30 or the Saints at #31.
I posted this video yesterday, but for those of you who didn't see it, here's his highlight tape: (yes we all know a highlight tape is only a highlight tape---but I can tell you I watched whole halves of this kid and was impressed with virtually every snap):
Cameron Erving, C/G/T, Florida St.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Alvin Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
However, I do not think that any of these players will be available as in my latest first round mock I have the Bears taking Dupree at #7, the Dolphins taking Erving at #14 and the Chargers taking Gordon at #17.
#1 Priority: OLB---Edge Rusher. In my mind, we simply cannot go another year without addressing that vital position in our defense.
The 3 OLBs I am interested in most are:
1. Hau'oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington.
2. Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
3. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, OLB, UCLA
Now---here's the thing: Kikaha is not considered a first rounder in any of the well-known rankings. ESPN Todd McShay said yesterday that he considers Kikaha a "wild dog" as a pass rusher, that he's a first round talent if it weren't for his past knee issues. I agree---although---what impressed me so much was that Kikaha came back from his ACL rehab in 2013 to register 13.5 sacks as a redshirt junior and then this past year as a redshirt senior he registered 19.0 sacks, 72 tackles (25 tackles for loss) and forced 3 fumbles. He was a unanimous All-American. And get this---he had at least 1 sack in all 14 games he played. I don't think I have ever seen that (at least one sack in every game) from any college prospect.
Some scouts wonder about his size (6-2, 246)---and typically the Cardinals say they like OLBs with length.
However, I think Kikaha's size works to his advantage and the Cardinals' because longer DEs and OLBs have a more difficult time corralling and tackling RusselL Wilson. I think Kikaha's uncanny ability to pressure the QB and redirect to chase the QB down is made to order for what the Cardinals need on the edge.
When I watch Harold and Odi, I see top heavy upper bodies and tighter hips (in fact, Odi has hip issues) and I see that they struggle dipping their pad level for tackles as quick as an edge rusher needs to do in order to get to the QBs legs. Plus, neither one of them has the explosive first step off the snap.
What I like about Harold is how strong his punch is and how he can swarm the edge or bullrush it. He doesn't redirect as well as Kikaha---but he's got a lot of hustle to his game. Same with Odi---who physically is about as ideal as one can be for an NFL 34OLB.
But then one has to consider the production.
Harold had 7 sacks last year---0 in his last 4 games---and only 1.5 in his last 7 games.
Obi had 6 sacks last year.
Consider the case of Barkevious Mingo, the LSU OLB who was taken at #6 in the 2013 draft. The concern about him was production as pass rusher. Well, guess how many sacks Mingo has in his first two seasons with the Browns?
Seven.
We got 8 out of Alex Okafor this past season. Okafor was much more productive in college than Mingo, albeit that Mingo is the better athlete. But is he the better pass rusher?
My point is---if a player isn't getting good production in college, then it's harder to think he will be able to do so in the NFL.
Hau'oli Kikaha has the motor, the speed, the power, the instincts and the variety of moves in ways in which Mingo, Harold and Obighizuwa do not.
Some will wonder whether Kikaha would start as a rookie.
To me it doesn't matter whether he starts because all we need him to do in his first year is rush the passer.
Just as the coaches designated Deone Bucannon to a key role in his first season, this is what they can do with Kikaha.
As for Bucannon---I think that kid is going to be a stud. He already is the hardest, bone-jarring tackler on the defense. He is a tone setter on a team that needs tone setters. Just wait until he gets accustomed to his role as a SS. Man, he is going to be exciting.
I think the Cardinals can do just what they did last year---trade down a few spots in the first round, add an extra pick (3rd or 4th rounder) and take the best and most productive pass rusher on the board in Hau'oli Kikaha.
if anyone thinks Kikaha will make it to #55, there is no way, not with his motor and not with so many teams hungry for pass rushers. In fact, it would suprirse me if the Colts take him at #29 or Green Bay at #30 or the Saints at #31.
I posted this video yesterday, but for those of you who didn't see it, here's his highlight tape: (yes we all know a highlight tape is only a highlight tape---but I can tell you I watched whole halves of this kid and was impressed with virtually every snap):
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