Mississippi State of Mind

[Mitch]

Bottle of red...bottle of white...

Just by staying in the good ol' state of Mississippi, the Cardinals could conjure up quite an interesting draft.

As Mark Twain loved to shout as a kid, "Steeeaaammmboat's a comin'!"

29. Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT, 6-3, 296, Mississippi

Think: Michael Bennett, Seahawks. Or a quicker version of Darnell Dockett. Needs to mature as a player and person, which is why he makes it to #29. Talent is abundant.

92. Dak Prescott, QB, 6-2, 226, Misissippi St.

Smart, accurate and mobile. Led Mississippi St. out of the doldrums into a legitimate contender in the SEC. Two time All-American who broke 38 QB records.

128. Will Redmond, CB, 5-11, 186, Mississippi St.

A mid-season torn ACL marred his excellent season---but this kid is truly gifted in coverage. Excellent blend of speed, smooth hips and recovery quickness. Plus, he's strong in run support.

167. Fahn Cooper, T, 6-5, 305, Mississippi.

Sleeper pick. Cooper stood out at the East West Shrine practices and game. Very smooth in pass pro and a menacing blocker in the running game.

170. Trae Elston, S, 5-11, 195, Mississippi.

1st team All-SEC player who intercepted 4 passes, taking 2 to the house.

205. Aaron Morris, G/C, Mississippi.

Another key player on the Rebels' record setting offense. Past knee injuries have scouts a little leery---but Morris is a mauler in the running game and is rock solid in pass pro. Could slide down to center---has the strength to move big DTs off the point.

UCFAs:

1. Cody Core, WR, 6-3, 205, Mississippi.

Ran a 4.4 40 at the Combine. Made some big catches in big games, e.g., versus Alabama and in the bowl win over Oklahoma St. Is a very good cover man on STs---18 tackles.

Could be a good PS backup to Jaron Brown this year and replace him next year if Brown leaves via FA.

2. De'Runnya Wilson, WR, 6-5, 225, Mississippi St.

He is a Kelvin Benjamin type WR who is good at catching 50/50 balls in the red zone. Problem is he ran a 4.85 at the Combine and his a tad too slight right now to play TE.

However, think Ifeanyi Momah here---Wilson could travel a similar route to an NFL roster if he develops into a hybrid TE/WR.

3. Beniquez Brown, LB, 6-1, 229, Mississippi St.

Productive tackler who has the speed to cover RBs and TEs and block kicks (2 big game changing blocks).

"I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Delta River line...
Cause I'm in a Mississippi State of Mind..."

 

[Mitch]

I thought long and hard between Robert Nkemdiche and DE/DT Chris Jones...and while Jones' length is appealing, Nkemdiche's explosiveness off the snap and quick twitch gear had me thinking he would be more of what we need inside. At times, Jones' length works against him, as it does with Calais Campbell in that it's hard for him to get his pad level low enough in a hurry in order tho tackle RBs and nimble QBs (think Russell Wilson and Cam Newton).

 

[az jam]

I thought long and hard between Robert Nkemdiche and DE/DT Chris Jones...and while Jones' length is appealing, Nkemdiche's explosiveness off the snap and quick twitch gear had me thinking he would be more of what we need inside. At times, Jones' length works against him, as it does with Calais Campbell in that it's hard for him to get his pad level low enough in a hurry in order tho tackle RBs and nimble QBs (think Russell Wilson and Cam Newton).

However, I think that Chris Jones will be there when we pick at #29 but Nkemdiche will most likely be gone.

 

[pinetopred]

I've watched a little more tape on Nkemdiche, I don't think I'd hate the pick, I'm just not completely sold on him there are guys I still prefer, but don't know scheme wise how well they fit. I've been intrigued by Will Redmond very competitive tough I think he would be an excellent mid round pick

 

[Mitch]

However, I think that Chris Jones will be there when we pick at #29 but Nkemdiche will most likely be gone.

I agree---so Chris Jones becomes the pick in this scenario.

 

[Mitch]

I've watched a little more tape on Nkemdiche, I don't think I'd hate the pick, I'm just not completely sold on him there are guys I still prefer, but don't know scheme wise how well they fit. I've been intrigued by Will Redmond very competitive tough I think he would be an excellent mid round pick

Where Nkemdiche immediately fits for the Cardinals is as an inside pass rusher in the nickel and dime packages. That's what BA & SK are looking for, someone inside who can take down the QB.

 

[pinetopred]

Where Nkemdiche immediately fits for the Cardinals is as an inside pass rusher in the nickel and dime packages. That's what BA & SK are looking for, someone inside who can take down the QB.

I completely understand where he would fit, I'm just a bigger Kenny Clark or Vernon Butler fan, I see them as more disruptive than Nkemdiche, but don't know if scheme wise they fit as well as he does.

 

[WildBB]

Where Nkemdiche immediately fits for the Cardinals is as an inside pass rusher in the nickel and dime packages. That's what BA & SK are looking for, someone inside who can take down the QB.

Badda bing. I think he and Jones both fit the bill. Or the ND kid Sheldon Day in the 3rd with a trade down and taking his team mate J. Smith.

 

[Mitch]

I completely understand where he would fit, I'm just a bigger Kenny Clark or Vernon Butler fan, I see them as more disruptive than Nkemdiche, but don't know if scheme wise they fit as well as he does.

Clark's versatility and ability to play NT would make him a fit and a future starter. What I don't see in Clark on tape is an ability to redirect quickly to take down the QB and with Russell Wilson, that's a must for the Cardinals' inside rushers. Clark's get-off and burst is good, but can he finish out sacks?

Butler, on the other hand, would be my choice over all of the players we have discussed---I think he has the entire package---the brute strength to collapse the locker and the quick twitch reaction to disengage from blocks and take down the QB. I just don;t think there is any way Butler makes it even close to #29. I would be surprised if he makes it pass pick #20.

 

[Mitch]

Badda bing. I think he and Jones both fit the bill. Or the ND kid Sheldon Day in the 3rd with a trade down and taking his team mate J. Smith.

I too like Sheldon Day, WBB! If this wasn't such a loaded DE/DT draft, day would be much higher rated, imo. Very active inside and has upside as a pass rusher.

 

[oaken1]

Clark's versatility and ability to play NT would make him a fit and a future starter. What I don't see in Clark on tape is an ability to redirect quickly to take down the QB and with Russell Wilson, that's a must for the Cardinals' inside rushers. Clark's get-off and burst is good, but can he finish out sacks?

Butler, on the other hand, would be my choice over all of the players we have discussed---I think he has the entire package---the brute strength to collapse the locker and the quick twitch reaction to disengage from blocks and take down the QB. I just don;t think there is any way Butler makes it even close to #29. I would be surprised if he makes it pass pick #20.

Butler is by far my "Hope for" guy at 29...actually saw a couple mocks that had him slip to the second round...I am pretty sure he will be there at 29...but ya never know. He is the 3 down NT we have not had but have needed for years.

 

[az jam]

Clark's versatility and ability to play NT would make him a fit and a future starter. What I don't see in Clark on tape is an ability to redirect quickly to take down the QB and with Russell Wilson, that's a must for the Cardinals' inside rushers. Clark's get-off and burst is good, but can he finish out sacks?

Butler, on the other hand, would be my choice over all of the players we have discussed---I think he has the entire package---the brute strength to collapse the locker and the quick twitch reaction to disengage from blocks and take down the QB. I just don;t think there is any way Butler makes it even close to #29. I would be surprised if he makes it pass pick #20.

Sorry but neither Clark or Butler play for colleges in the state of Mississippi.

 

[Mitch]

Sorry but neither Clark or Butler play for colleges in the state of Mississippi.

Funny you should say that!

I think Vernon Butler qualifies seeing as he is from Summit, Mississippi! I sh--- you not!

 

[Harry]

I'm on Butler as well, though I'd go CB if Jackson is on the board. Cooper is likely a guard in my estimation. He would be a project, but I could see him as a 6th round choice. I'm not sure I'd agree with the assessment Prescott is smart. I also thought he played very inconsistently. He got the tools and build, but his presence of mind under pressure is a concern.

 

[Buckybird]

I would sooooo be pissed at Keim if we drafted RN at #29.

Sure the guys has all the measurables, but he only flashes 3-4 times a game. He's a perfect example of "looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane".

I don't care about what this kid did in HS which was dominate. The most alarming thing to me is he has openly admitted taking plays off. The red flags are there & IMO anyone drafting him rd 1 or 2 is insane.

No thank you!

 

[82CardsGrad]

Wolf had been sounding the alarm whistles on Nkemdichi - bigtime! Says he has watched a ton of film and has been greatly dismayed by the number of plays he takes off, and how he allows himself to get blocked by opponents whom are hugely inferior...

 

[Mitch]

Wolf had been sounding the alarm whistles on Nkemdichi - bigtime! Says he has watched a ton of film and has been greatly dismayed by the number of plays he takes off, and how he allows himself to get blocked by opponents whom are hugely inferior...

True---

Evaluating interior defensive linemen is one of the most challenging tasks there is because you can watch a whole game tape and sometimes only a handful of snaps stand out. Some of the reasons are related to scheme, defensive play calls which sometimes call for the DT to occupy two blockers at the l.o.s. in order to free up a LB or looping DE, double teams (which Nkemdiche saw over and over to the point where it not only tires the DT out, but, after a while, it demoralizes him), and most of all due to the fact that so many college DTs, especially now because of no-huddle speed offenses, are on the field for far too many snaps.

Nkemdiche, imo, will be a much more productive player in the pros because he will be part of a DT rotation where he can give it all he's got for a series and be rested and ready to go two series later. Plus, with the Cardinals' blitzing schemes up the middle, it would allow the DTs the luxury of beating one block to get to the RB or QB.

 

[Mitch]

Mississippi was the only team to beat Alabama this year. Here are all of the snaps DT Robert Nkemdiche played in this game. If you take the time to watch it---you will see that he makes a handful of big plays. What may go unheralded is how many times he caused the Alabama RBs to have to pick another hole, which often is they key to slowing down a big running attack.

Reports were that he was cramping in the second half, but he still made a couple of big plays to help seal the win. There are some plays where he looks gassed---but take into consideration that he was playing virtually every snap versus the best, most physical o-line on college football and that he was getting double teamed quite a bit. Check it out and offer your thoughts---

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[WildBB]

I would sooooo be pissed at Keim if we drafted RN at #29.

Sure the guys has all the measurables, but he only flashes 3-4 times a game. He's a perfect example of "looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane".

I don't care about what this kid did in HS which was dominate. The most alarming thing to me is he has openly admitted taking plays off. The red flags are there & IMO anyone drafting him rd 1 or 2 is insane.

No thank you!

The NFL is a skills league. He's got the skill set. If he needs someone to give him a boot in the butt BA is made to order. But I don't think it will be an issue from the start.

 

[Mitch]

Just watched the first half of this year's Alabama vs. Mississippi St. game. Here are my notes:

MSU had all the momentum early...getting 3 and outs...then Miss St. drives down to the 2 yard line and go with read option Dak Prescott runs on 3rd and 4th down and do not make it.

Again Miss St.'s defense is playing great, forcing punts and keeping Derrick Henry in total check---the they force a Jake Coker interception when C Ryan Kelly is beaten up the middle and Coker throws it up for the FS.

Dak Prescott is throwing well...he complete three 20+ yard passes...but Miss St. misses a 48 yard FG.

The Miss St.'s defense gets another 3 and out, but Prescott, thanks to some highly conservative play calling and their coach's insistence that he keep running the read option, which hasn't worked at all, as Bama smothers Prescott every time.

The game and all the momentum changes when Miss St. punts (a short one) and CB Cyrus Jones runs up, fields it, takes two steps to his left and then looks like he is shot out of cannon and goes for 60+ yard TD. Bama up 7-0.

Bama gets the ball back and then Coker throws to Ridley for a 20 yard yard catch and 40 yard RAC TD. 14-0 Bama.

Prescott answers with a nice drive and throws a perfect TD strike on a 20 yard quick post that the WR drops, then Prescott throws into the end zone for 6-5 WR De'Runnya Wilson, but the 5-10 Cyrus Jones defends it well. So Miss St. kicks a FG...14-3 Bama.

After a few punts on 3rd and 9 from the 26 yard line, Bama calls a quick draw to Derrick Henry, who to this point has had 14 yards on 8 carries---and like Cyrus Jones, Henry takes the ball and explodes upfield and outruns the entire Miss. St. secondary for a 74 yd. TD.

The half ends when on 3rd and 14 with the ball at Bama's 36 yard line, they run a QB draw for Prescott that is easily read and snuffed out and then on 4th and 14, Prescott is sacked by Ryan Anderson.

Player Notes:

Miss St.

Dak Prescott---poised in pocket, good scrambler when need be, throws smoothly and accurately even on the run---doesn't force the ball too much---plays with the system. Gets a little flat--footed at times when the pocket is collapsing. I think he's a very solid prospect---his WRs at Miss St. weren't very fast or that good--- I can imagine him being excited playing with faster WRs---he can hit players in stride and throw into some tight windows, although his release could get a little quicker.

Chris Jones---stands up on the snap and negates his power then reacts, but it is usually too late. Poor technique, needs to fire off the ball and rip much harder with his hands. He's got such a good frame, strong legs and good feet, but without the right technique and get-off at the snap, his talent is compromised. BTW---Robert Nmediche's play versus Bama was night and day better than Jones'.

Alabama:

Ryan Kelly---the more I watch him the less impressed I am. First of all, in shotguns he looks back between his legs (like a LS on a punt) on every shotgun snap and snaps the ball as he is raising his head, which gives him little time to react to blitzers. Secondly, he gets flat-footed in pass pro and at times he let's his man slip him very easily...CBS in this game showed a series of recent Jake Coker interceptions and on 3 of the 4 Coker was forced to release the ball too quickly because Kelly's man beat him up the middle after Kelly has initially squared the rusher up. Now---he is a solid run blocker, but a lot of his blocks are more like screens than blocks. But he can get to the second level well and he finishes off run blocks much better and more consistently than pass pro blocks. I really wonder whether he is a good match for BA's offense--especially with BA's love for 0 back sets. Plus, someone is going to have to change his shotgun snaps...he gives the snap timing away each time when he starts to rocker up while raising his head from between his legs.

Derrick Henry---I know no one wants to hear this, but every time I watch a Bama game i come away feeling that he is the best player on the field. This kid is a stud. He gets stuffed like all RBs in tight spots do---but he always takes it like a man and gets all he can---but, man, there are several times each game where he takes the ball and he just hammers though a crease like a race horse out of the gates. This guy is Secretariat. He is totally legit.

Cyrus Jones---smallish size, but feisty as all get-out...comes flying up top break up WR screens...is an excellent punt returner....will need safety help over the top to play his game of tight coverage...but I think he is going to be a good pro CB...likely as a nickel CB who at times can play the perimeter versus smaller WRs like Chucky Brown or Doug Baldwin, for example.

The best defenders on Alabama, imo, are DE Jonathan Allen, rush LB Ryan Anderson and OLB Reuben Foster (none of whom are in this draft). They all made big plays in this game. Was not as impressed with DE Jarran Reed or DT/DE A'Shawn Robinson---both are solid run stuffers but neither of them flash much as pass rushers. And ILB Reggie Ragland is solid, but nowhere near elite.

If I were to rate the draft eligible players in this game based on what i saw, it would go:

1. RB Derrick Henry
2. QB Dak Prescott
3. CB Cyrus Jones
4. DE/DT A'Shawn Robinson
5. DE/DT Chris Jones
6. LB Reggie Ragland
7. DT Jarran Reed
8. C Ryan Kelly
9. LB Beniquez Brown
10. WR De'Runnya Wilson

 

[Buckybird]

The NFL is a skills league. He's got the skill set. If he needs someone to give him a boot in the butt BA is made to order. But I don't think it will be an issue from the start.

IMO it's a production league, 99.9% of the guys are very talented & skilled.

i personally think most of the kids that need constant kicks in the ass fail miserably. When a kid like RN lacks motivation at this level that's a huuuuuuuge red flag. IMO a player can only become dedicated to his craft if he wants to be, regardless of the push he's receiving from coaches.

 

[Buckybird]

Mississippi was the only team to beat Alabama this year. Here are all of the snaps DT Robert Nkemdiche played in this game. If you take the time to watch it---you will see that he makes a handful of big plays. What may go unheralded is how many times he caused the Alabama RBs to have to pick another hole, which often is they key to slowing down a big running attack.

Reports were that he was cramping in the second half, but he still made a couple of big plays to help seal the win. There are some plays where he looks gassed---but take into consideration that he was playing virtually every snap versus the best, most physical o-line on college football and that he was getting double teamed quite a bit. Check it out and offer your thoughts---

Mitch maybe that's more of an indictment of why he shouldn't be a 1st rounder?

Maybe the kid isn't in top condition to play 60 plays or more or he just physically can't. I know Calais does & nobody here is defending him because of snaps. All I know is RN is gonna be playing against better Oline players than that Bama Oline & that's a given. I understand that players need to be rotated in & out, but if I'm drafting a kid in the 1st round he better be able to play 50-60 snaps a game & have the durability to do it.

I just don't get the luv for this kid his lack of production & taking plays off are huge reds flags IMO. I've heard a few here compare him to Dockett coming out of college but if you compare the 2 guys production, DD crushed RN with production.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

I would not touch him at #29. As mentioned before 2 many red flags on the kid.

 

[WildBB]

IMO it's a production league, 99.9% of the guys are very talented & skilled.

i personally think most of the kids that need constant kicks in the ass fail miserably. When a kid like RN lacks motivation at this level that's a huuuuuuuge red flag. IMO a player can only become dedicated to his craft if he wants to be, regardless of the push he's receiving from coaches.

I think he'll be more motivated in the NFL. Especially with a veteran team like the Cardinals. Again I don't feel motivation will be a problem for him starting out. Maybe down the line if his head isn't on straight. That's where the interview process is critical and they are doing their due diligence inviting him in.

That said there will be plenty of options where we pick. If they do take him there is a reason, and not because they aren't aware of motivation issues. They've hashed the questions out with him.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The NFL is a skills league. He's got the skill set. If he needs someone to give him a boot in the butt BA is made to order. But I don't think it will be an issue from the start.

The defense needs a "Knee Deep" to match the offense .