My attempt at Cards mock draft (rounds 1-3)

[Lomax to Green 84]

I am hopeful as others are on the board that the Cards pull the trigger on Alabama NT Terrence Cody with the 26th selection. I really think that Cody would provide an element of physical play to the Cards defense that has been sorely lacking for years. However, as much as this appears to make sense, I just don't see the Cards going that direction because of the dire need at the inside linebacker position.

For the first time since the 2007 draft, it appears the Cards have painted themselves into a corner and are truly in the drafting for need category with the first pick. They can talk all they want about having Paris Lenon as the starter, but in reality this is a very below average player and they need to draft a kid who can immediately challenge Lenon for the starting spot.

Unfortunately this isn't a bountiful crop of inside linebackers. The true bounty is at the outside linebacker position. Of the top inside linebackers, Rolando McClain is the only true stud inside backer. Sean Weatherspoon has his fans, but in reality many pro scouts see him as a 4-3 outside linebacker. Many on this board have tried to reason ways that Rolando McClain falls to the the 26th selection. In my opinion, there is as much of a chance Gerald McCoy or Suh falls to us as there is Rolando McClain. Look at the teams that could be in the market for an inside linebacker who draft ahead of us (New York Giants and Denver Broncos). The Giants have a long and proud tradition of great inside linebackers (Harry Carson, Pepper Martin) and McClain has been compared to both of those guys. The Broncos have a head coach who comes from the Patriots system that has a drafting philosophy of taking great inside linebackers and players from the SEC.

This leads me to my conclusion and its not one that I am overly excited about. One of the guys the Cards have brought in for a personal workout is Penn State linebacker Sean Lee. Lee is probably the 2nd best true inside linebacker in the draft behind Rolando McClain. He also appears to be a guy on the rise due to his very good workout at the Penn State pro day. I've seen mock drafts that have him rated as low at a 3rd round pick and others that rate him as high as a mid 20's first round selection. Mike Mayock has spoken very highly of Lee and has hinted that he may go in the first round.

The Cardinals don't usually hide their intentions. They have brought in both Lee and Ricky Sapp for workouts. They were pretty open about needing a running back last year, a cornerback in 08, and an offensive tackle in 07. The Cardinals D-Coordinator Bill Davis was blunt in saying that the Cardinals will take an inside linebacker high in the draft.

Round #1-Sean Lee ILB (Penn State)

Round #2-Ricky Sapp OLB (Clemson)

Round #3A-Akwasi Owusa-Ansah CB (Indiana PA.)-The Cards love the small school athletic cornerbacks.

Round #3B-Cam Thomas NT (North Carolina)

 

[Monty]

This is actually pretty good except i dont see us drafting Sean Lee in the first round. Im one of Lee's biggest fans here but if he is the best option we have at #26 i see us trading down into the second round where Lee should be available. Other then that i think all of your picks would be good picks individually. Sapp is a promising OLB and would give us excellent depth in the outside positions. Im a big fan of Owusu-Ansah as he would be a very good complement to DRC. AOA is big fast and physical and would also serve as a potent punt return threat. Cam Thomas is an underrated NT and i think he would be a force to be reckoned with as 3-4 NT.

A pretty good mock draft id say.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I like Sean Lee, but think there will be too many players who are more highly rated on the board at #26 for him to be selected there by the Cards or anyone else.

I could see him as the Cards pick in the early to mid second round in a trade down scenario.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

I like Sean Lee, but think there will be too many players who are more highly rated on the board at #26 for him to be selected there by the Cards or anyone else.

I could see him as the Cards pick in the early to mid second round in a trade down scenario.

I'm with you on the trade down option, however due to the depth of this draft, I think a trade down may be alot harder than in years past. Teams will want to keep their draft selections and just wait for a good player to fall to them. If the Cards can find a suitor at #38 or #39 in the 2nd round and pick up another pick, I'm all for a trade down.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I'm with you on the trade down option, however due to the depth of this draft, I think a trade down may be alot harder than in years past. Teams will want to keep their draft selections and just wait for a good player to fall to them. If the Cards can find a suitor at #38 or #39 in the 2nd round and pick up another pick, I'm all for a trade down.

I mildly suspect that a number of teams may try to get back into the tail end of the first, and the targets may include both Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.

 

[Cardiac]

I understand your thinking with taking Lee in the 1st but if you truly want Cody then go ahead and take him. We won't need "stud" ILB's if Cody plays at the level several of us think he will. Now if you think Cam Thomas has the same potential as Cody then cool deal.

I'm really hopeful we get AOA as well.

Sapp would be a great get in the 2nd.

 

[CardLogic]

Lee is probably the 2nd best true inside linebacker in the draft behind Rolando McClain. He also appears to be a guy on the rise due to his very good workout at the Penn State pro day. I've seen mock drafts that have him rated as low at a 3rd round pick and others that rate him as high as a mid 20's first round selection. Mike Mayock has spoken very highly of Lee and has hinted that he may go in the first round.

This is actually pretty good except i dont see us drafting Sean Lee in the first round. Im one of Lee's biggest fans here but if he is the best option we have at #26 i see us trading down into the second round where Lee should be available. Other then that i think all of your picks would be good picks individually. Sapp is a promising OLB and would give us excellent depth in the outside positions. Im a big fan of Owusu-Ansah as he would be a very good complement to DRC. AOA is big fast and physical and would also serve as a potent punt return threat. Cam Thomas is an underrated NT and i think he would be a force to be reckoned with as 3-4 NT.

A pretty good mock draft id say.

I like Sean Lee, but think there will be too many players who are more highly rated on the board at #26 for him to be selected there by the Cards or anyone else.

I could see him as the Cards pick in the early to mid second round in a trade down scenario.

I'm with you on the trade down option, however due to the depth of this draft, I think a trade down may be alot harder than in years past. Teams will want to keep their draft selections and just wait for a good player to fall to them. If the Cards can find a suitor at #38 or #39 in the 2nd round and pick up another pick, I'm all for a trade down.

The problem, as Holian detailed, is with McClain gone prior to the Cardinals first pick; and probably Weatherspoon as well; Lee is the only remaining choice of a ILB that has a chance of being a productive starter from day 1. By trading down there is a very significant risk of Lee being selected before your pick.

If the Cardinals believe that they need a ILB that can start immediately, they have to make that selection at #26, be it Lee, Weatherspoon or if lucky, McClain. Then hope to get their big ugly in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

 

[imaCafan]

I mildly suspect that a number of teams may try to get back into the tail end of the first, and the targets may include both Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.

On the NFL network last night I believe it was Lombardi who stated this very thing. His reasoning was basically said teams didn't want to "sleep on it" and let other teams do the same, since day 1 is round 1 only. He mentioned both QB's. So MAYBE the high 30's trade partner may be there and net us, what, another third????
EDIT: By the way, I like all 4 players you picked, just maybe a bit high for LEE....

 

[lauraw]

Lee sounds good to me, just a little high..

 

[Monty]

The problem, as Holian detailed, is with McClain gone prior to the Cardinals first pick; and probably Weatherspoon as well; Lee is the only remaining choice of a ILB that has a chance of being a productive starter from day 1. By trading down there is a very significant risk of Lee being selected before your pick.

If the Cardinals believe that they need a ILB that can start immediately, they have to make that selection at #26, be it Lee, Weatherspoon or if lucky, McClain. Then hope to get their big ugly in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

I understand Lee's stature and draft status may be rising but i still feel he'd be a reach at 26. Also Mayock and other valuable evaluators may rate Lee highly but i rate him on par with Daryl Washington and im pretty sure that one of those would be available in the early second round. So if the people we hoped at #26 arent there (I.E. Spoon, Rolando, Cody) and we can get a team picking in the early 2nd to trade up to #26 and give us an extra 3rd or 4th pick id be much happier. However if Whisenhunt and Co actually rate Lee as highly as the likes of Mayock id be satisfied considering their excellent judgement of talent.

 

[KD75]

Lee is the only remaining choice of a ILB that has a chance of being a productive starter from day 1. quote]

I disagree with this point. Jamar Chaney, Donald Butler, and maybe Philip Dillard and B. Spikes can be starters. But to say only McClain, Lee and Weatherspoon can be productive starters is a bit much.

For this mock draft, I think it's good, but that's way to high for Lee and as someone else mentioned, just draft Cody in the first if he's there.

 

[Stout]

Lee is the only remaining choice of a ILB that has a chance of being a productive starter from day 1. quote]

I disagree with this point. Jamar Chaney, Donald Butler, and maybe Philip Dillard and B. Spikes can be starters. But to say only McClain, Lee and Weatherspoon can be productive starters is a bit much.

For this mock draft, I think it's good, but that's way to high for Lee and as someone else mentioned, just draft Cody in the first if he's there.

Well, for one Spikes is in no way a WILB; at best, he is a SILB. Isn't Washington the guy that's like 20 lbs too light?

It's just my opinion, mind, but I feel we need to get one of the top three WILBers, and IMO that's McClain, Weatherspoon and Lee.

 

[Shogun]

If Lee has retained his athleticism and the knee checks out, I think I'd be fine with the pick, but at first impression I do think 26 is too high. He was never the most athletic guy prior to injury and I think the knee could have taken some of what he did have away.

Ricky Sapp is a worthy gamble at this point, but again, I have to question how many pass rushers the team is going to carry. I don't think that there will be enough snaps to please Porter while still giving meaningful snaps to Brown, Davis AND a high draft pick. I am not too fond of using the team's first two picks on guys with medical concerns.

I like AOA's upside. Don't like Cam Thomas.

 

[lauraw]

I don't know that he's high...

 

[Garthshort]

I like AOA, and my only question is, can he return punts?

 

[Cardiac]

I like AOA, and my only question is, can he return punts?

Yes. He was the PR for UIP and did very well. I read an article about the official 40 times from the combine and although his official was 4.4 ish he did have a time of 4.3 ish. I'll try to find the article and post the link.

On a different thread someone (sorry can't remember who) posted that a local news reporter is stating that the Cards have NT and ILB listed as their biggest needs. I would think they have a battle plan set for different scenarios depending how the draft unfolds. If Cody is the best value at 26 then they take him because our need at WILB is reduced because of Cody's abilities to shore up the middle. A better way to say that is we will need more of a cover WILB then a player who can play the pass and run equally well.

If Cody isn't the pick at 26 then a Sean Lee prospect becomes more of a need.

Harry's post go me thinking when he said the Cards basically get the LBer corp talent at the same level from last year. Porter improves the group and Dansby's exit obviously hurt the talent level. Maybe this lessens the perceived huge need for a WILB in the Cards mind as well.

 

[Stout]

Yes. He was the PR for UIP and did very well. I read an article about the official 40 times from the combine and although his official was 4.4 ish he did have a time of 4.3 ish. I'll try to find the article and post the link.

On a different thread someone (sorry can't remember who) posted that a local news reporter is stating that the Cards have NT and ILB listed as their biggest needs. I would think they have a battle plan set for different scenarios depending how the draft unfolds. If Cody is the best value at 26 then they take him because our need at WILB is reduced because of Cody's abilities to shore up the middle. A better way to say that is we will need more of a cover WILB then a player who can play the pass and run equally well.

If Cody isn't the pick at 26 then a Sean Lee prospect becomes more of a need.

Harry's post go me thinking when he said the Cards basically get the LBer corp talent at the same level from last year. Porter improves the group and Dansby's exit obviously hurt the talent level. Maybe this lessens the perceived huge need for a WILB in the Cards mind as well.

:BIM: IUP

 

[Cardiac]

:BIM: IUP

Thanks, my dyslexia was kicking in big time and I had a feeling it was wrong.

 

[Monty]

I don't know that he's high...

Depends on what he's smoking.

 

[Stout]

Thanks, my dyslexia was kicking in big time and I had a feeling it was wrong.

No worries. I'm a Western Pennsylvanian, so I was sure to catch it

 

[CardLogic]

Lee is the only remaining choice of a ILB that has a chance of being a productive starter from day 1. quote]

I disagree with this point. Jamar Chaney, Donald Butler, and maybe Philip Dillard and B. Spikes can be starters. But to say only McClain, Lee and Weatherspoon can be productive starters is a bit much.

For this mock draft, I think it's good, but that's way to high for Lee and as someone else mentioned, just draft Cody in the first if he's there.

Note: I said, "starter from day 1."

No worries. I'm a Western Pennsylvanian, so I was sure to catch it

If you hadn't I certainly would have!

 

[Doug]

Many don't realize that the NEED to replace Hayes is just barely below replacing Lennon as a starter.

I know Brandon Spikes CAN be a starter at Hayes' spot now!Since I see Cody being the most likely pick as only a two down player.We do have the players to rotate in on third down.

Getting that pass covering WILB is gonna be a project this year any way you look at it.My biggest hope is for Texas' Shipley with our first 3rd round pick as a major steal.He would be a major fit as our slot reciever for Matt.

I want more than just contribution to special teams from our first round pick.If its Cody then he better listen to Coach Lott or we lose.

A trade down would be our best deal by a mile.McClain,Weatherspoon,Graham,Kindle will all be gone before we pick in my opinion.Forcing a Lee pick,which would'nt make me happy for the first round.

Go ahead and take Spikes as Hayes' repacement before he goes down in the 3rd game again and not effective the rest of the season.He can be a leader and thumper we are missing bigtime on "D".

 

[Monty]

Many don't realize that the NEED to replace Hayes is just barely below replacing Lennon as a starter.

I know Brandon Spikes CAN be a starter at Hayes' spot now!Since I see Cody being the most likely pick as only a two down player.We do have the players to rotate in on third down.

Getting that pass covering WILB is gonna be a project this year any way you look at it.My biggest hope is for Texas' Shipley with our first 3rd round pick as a major steal.He would be a major fit as our slot reciever for Matt.

I want more than just contribution to special teams from our first round pick.If its Cody then he better listen to Coach Lott or we lose.

A trade down would be our best deal by a mile.McClain,Weatherspoon,Graham,Kindle will all be gone before we pick in my opinion.Forcing a Lee pick,which would'nt make me happy for the first round.

Go ahead and take Spikes as Hayes' repacement before he goes down in the 3rd game again and not effective the rest of the season.He can be a leader and thumper we are missing bigtime on "D".

Although Spikes draft stock has fallen heavily in the past month or so i wouldnt be too much against taking him in the third if the Cards felt he wouldnt be there in the fourth. Like you said there is a big need to get a replacement ready for Hayes' SILB spot and though Spikes is slower then we'd like his play is good enough to start there next year so we could start budding him in this year.

 

[CardLogic]

Although Spikes draft stock has fallen heavily in the past month or so i wouldnt be too much against taking him in the third if the Cards felt he wouldnt be there in the fourth. Like you said there is a big need to get a replacement ready for Hayes' SILB spot and though Spikes is slower then we'd like his play is good enough to start there next year so we could start budding him in this year.

This way the Cards are replacing slow Hayes with slow Spikes, so they aren't losing any speed! Woohoo!

I'm leery of Spikes.

 

[Monty]

This way the Cards are replacing slow Hayes with slow Spikes, so they aren't losing any speed! Woohoo!

I'm leery of Spikes.

CL,

I was referring more to risk evaluation. Ideally id like to find a potential replacement for Hayes in the second or third that is better then Spikes but i feel they are likely to be gone. My choice to go for Spikes is dependent on whether the likes of Weatherspoon/McClain, Washington and even Butler are gone by the time we pick at the end of the third which is likely.