Kiper Mock Draft: Cards take Gabbert

[Mulli]

5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Kiper's give: The Cardinals were a mess at quarterback in 2010, and while Max Hall and John Skelton showed glimpses, both are projects, and there's no real solution in place for next season outside of a trade. Gabbert will be under the microscope during the testing process perhaps more than any other player, but at this stage he's the most NFL-ready QB in the draft. Arizona is in a tough spot: If the Cardinals pass on Gabbert, there won't be a QB who can do more for them sooner than Skelton or Hall later in the draft. Gabbert offers a strong arm, protoype size, reads the game well and has a lot of upside.

Sando's take: Arizona's obvious need for a quarterback validates Kiper's thinking, but the Cardinals' approach to the position in the draft could hinge on what the team does in free agency. Might the Cardinals sign Marc Bulger or another experienced quarterback? The team could conceivably go that route while continuing to develop Skelton and/or Hall. The team could even sign more than one veteran. Arizona has enough needs throughout its roster to clear the way for the Cardinals to consider going multiple directions with the fifth overall choice.

 

[desertdawg]

These mocker fockers crack me up.

 

[Pariah]

I don't know that I fully agree with taking Gabbert at #5, but I get it...and even respect it a little. At least that would show fans that the Cardinals are serious about fixing the QB problem.

 

[joeshmo]

 

[Mulli]

NOTE: I am just posting what Sando put in his blog, so that doesn't count as ESPN Insider content, right?

 

[juza76]

Max Hall showed glimpses...ahahhhaha are you drunk mel

 

[Mulli]

Max Hall showed glimpses...ahahhhaha are you drunk mel

I laughed at that as well.

 

[football karma]

until you have a QB, for the most part all your other moves don't matter

If it turns out both Gabbert and Skelton can play -- that is an easy problem to solve

 

[Totally_Red]

To take Gabbert at #5 you have to believe he is a franchise quarterback. I am not convinced. I'd rather take the best defender regardless of position since there don't appear to be any offensive tackles worth taking that high.

 

[Snakester]

I would rather trade down for Gabbert and pick up an extra pick but if we took him at five I would understand and not be mad about it. Whiz has made this team desperate for a QB. Having both Gabbert and Skelton would be a good thing.

 

[TopGun]

I just wanted to share a couple links that some of you may like to look at. One is a draft site that you might like. It has a mock draft that you might find interesting.
http://www.drafttek.com/default.asp

The other link I am including is from the east west shrine game player updates. Some of you might be interested, since there may be a few players you are interested in for the Cardinals.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/fee...ry/draft-dish-uclas-carter-proves-unblockable

 

[DoTheDew]

These mocker fockers crack me up.

Newton has a much higher ceiling than Gabbert. I don't think anyone disagrees with that. But Gabbert is a much more polished passer so to say he is more NFL-ready is not a stretch at all.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I would rather trade down for Gabbert and pick up an extra pick but if we took him at five I would understand and not be mad about it. Whiz has made this team desperate for a QB. Having both Gabbert and Skelton would be a good thing.

And THEN you add a retread like Bulger. Go with whomever is the best choice starting Game 1. We need to inundate the QB position IMO. Can't have enough good ones after last year.

If our plan is JUST to get freaking Bulger I am going to be pissed. Can't count on ONLY him no way no how.

 

[Mainstreet]

I would rather trade down for Gabbert and pick up an extra pick but if we took him at five I would understand and not be mad about it. Whiz has made this team desperate for a QB. Having both Gabbert and Skelton would be a good thing.

I like the idea of having two quality young QBs like Skleton and Gabbert on the roster to compete for the backup QB position until one of them can snatch the job away from a veteran. I guess the Cardinals decision might rest on how they feel about the veteran QB they bring in... if he is more than a temporary patch.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Kiper's give: The Cardinals were a mess at quarterback in 2010, and while Max Hall and John Skelton showed glimpses, both are projects, and there's no real solution in place for next season outside of a trade. Gabbert will be under the microscope during the testing process perhaps more than any other player, but at this stage he's the most NFL-ready QB in the draft. Arizona is in a tough spot: If the Cardinals pass on Gabbert, there won't be a QB who can do more for them sooner than Skelton or Hall later in the draft. Gabbert offers a strong arm, protoype size, reads the game well and has a lot of upside.

Sando's take: Arizona's obvious need for a quarterback validates Kiper's thinking, but the Cardinals' approach to the position in the draft could hinge on what the team does in free agency. Might the Cardinals sign Marc Bulger or another experienced quarterback? The team could conceivably go that route while continuing to develop Skelton and/or Hall. The team could even sign more than one veteran. Arizona has enough needs throughout its roster to clear the way for the Cardinals to consider going multiple directions with the fifth overall choice.

Kiper's mocks are reproduced in whole or in part by other prognosticators, and if one avoids reproducing the analysis, no true infringement is involved, particularly, if you take the time to re-type the basic info.

As such, here is Kiper's first mock, without the reasoning for each pick:


1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
8. Tennessee Titans: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
10. Washington Redskins: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
11. Houston Texans: Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri
12. Minnesota Vikings: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
13. Detroit Lions: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland) J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
19. New York Giants: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
24. New Orleans Saints: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
25. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
27. Atlanta Falcons: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
28. New England Patriots: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
29. Green Bay Packers: Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
30. New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
31. Chicago Bears: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: * Tyron Smith, OT, USC

 

[Cheesebeef]

And THEN you add a retread like Bulger. Go with whomever is the best choice starting Game 1. We need to inundate the QB position IMO. Can't have enough good ones after last year.

If our plan is JUST to get freaking Bulger I am going to be pissed. Can't count on ONLY him no way no how.

this is my biggest fear.

 

[seesred]

I will be very happy with Kolbe or Orton. With the hope that we draft a great defensive player at 5. Gabbart for me would be huge dissapointment, meaning we did not grab one of the others. We are developing Skelton and I don't see Hall making this team this year.

GBR
40

 

[john h]

5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Kiper's give: The Cardinals were a mess at quarterback in 2010, and while Max Hall and John Skelton showed glimpses, both are projects, and there's no real solution in place for next season outside of a trade. Gabbert will be under the microscope during the testing process perhaps more than any other player, but at this stage he's the most NFL-ready QB in the draft. Arizona is in a tough spot: If the Cardinals pass on Gabbert, there won't be a QB who can do more for them sooner than Skelton or Hall later in the draft. Gabbert offers a strong arm, protoype size, reads the game well and has a lot of upside.

Sando's take: Arizona's obvious need for a quarterback validates Kiper's thinking, but the Cardinals' approach to the position in the draft could hinge on what the team does in free agency. Might the Cardinals sign Marc Bulger or another experienced quarterback? The team could conceivably go that route while continuing to develop Skelton and/or Hall. The team could even sign more than one veteran. Arizona has enough needs throughout its roster to clear the way for the Cardinals to consider going multiple directions with the fifth overall choice.

Why or why would we even entertain the idea of keeping Max Hall on the roster?

 

[NJCardFan]

Wow. 11 defensive linemen going in the 1st round?

 

[Rats]

After the combine, Gabbert will be going to Buffalo so if we want him we will have to trade up to get him. If he is there at 5 we run the card to the podium. We need a vet but we will be set for sometime with Gabbert and Skelton. I would look to Orton for a 2 year contract and go with Gabbert and Skelton for the future. Whis hits a homerun if he does this and gets a decent DC.

 

[Evil Ash]

Not gonna happen. We're not going to take a QB with our first pick in the draft.

Too much pressure to win now and this QB class is at best mediocre.

 

[conraddobler]

Not gonna happen. We're not going to take a QB with our first pick in the draft.

Too much pressure to win now and this QB class is at best mediocre.

I dunno about the class as a whole but Gabbert is pretty good, what most people on this board don't understand is how good his arm strength is.

That alone makes him worth the pick with no other red flags on him, but only for the right team that has some time to develop him.

I agree we're not going to take a QB though, there's no way, not with where we are in the coaching staffs tenure.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Not gonna happen. We're not going to take a QB with our first pick in the draft.

Too much pressure to win now and this QB class is at best mediocre.

I don't think the pressure is that much compared to other teams in the league. In fact, I'd say this team is very low in the pressure dept.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I wish I would have seen more of Gabbert to comment on him. I will say guys aren't generally considered top 7 picks if they don't at least have the measurables. Alex Smith may have been the exception.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

After the combine, Gabbert will be going to Buffalo so if we want him we will have to trade up to get him. If he is there at 5 we run the card to the podium. We need a vet but we will be set for sometime with Gabbert and Skelton. I would look to Orton for a 2 year contract and go with Gabbert and Skelton for the future. Whis hits a homerun if he does this and gets a decent DC.