Can I just ask why everyone seems to be surprised that wide receiver Hakeem Butler is still on the board? Is it only because Mel Kiper and Daniel Jeremiah has told you? I don’t think he’s that great of a prospect. Not at all trying to patronize anyone. I just wonder.
Now we have entered the development zone, so this list contains of players I think could be interesting – for one reason or another - to the Cardinals. It’s not where I have them ranked. Also, I haven’t included every position.
Wide receiver
Riley Ridley, Georgia – At some point you ignore the lack of production and look at his potential.
Preston Williams, Colorado State – 1st- or 2nd-round game tape, but some years ago he physical hurt a woman. As far as I can tell not as bad as Jeffery Simmons who went in the first round. When do you pull the trigger?
Kelvin Harmon, N.C. State – Fast and physical wide receiver with strong hands. Makes many circus catches.
Darius Slayton, Auburn – Blazing deep threat but not limited to just that.
Greg Jennings, West Virginia – Same as Slayton. Dana Holgerson might have told K2 a thing or two about him.
Antoine Wesley, Texas Tech – K2’s pupil at Texas Tech. By all accounts, the coaches there were thrilled about him.
Emmanuel Hall, Missouri – Athletic wonder with tons of speed.
Tight end
Kaden Smith, Stanford – Great body control and strong hands.
Foster Moreau, LSU – Basically another offensive lineman. Heavily underutilized with LSU, so maybe he can do more.
Offensive tackle
David Edwards, Wisconsin – Limited but solid.
Devon Johnson, Stetson – Very raw but massive potential.
Oli Udoh, Elon – Same as Johnson.
Offensive guard
Terronne Prescod, N.C. State – Very strong mauler. Guard only.
Wes Martin, Indiana – Same as Prescod.
Phil Haynes, Wake Forest – Maybe more of a practice squad guy, but has a chance with good coaching.
Larry Allen Jr., Harvard – Son of Larry Allen, so why not?
Edge rusher
Justin Hollins, Oregon – Great athlete. A work in progress.
Christian Miller, Alabama – Very smart player. Not much production, but no edge rusher at Alabama has that.
D’Andre Walker, Georgia – Undersized. Think Lorenzo Carter from the Giants who were the first pick in the third round last year.
Defensive lineman
Charles Omenihu, Texas – The pick of Zach Allen probably rule out Omenihu, but he’s a great prospect.
John Cominsky, Charleston – Would be a great developmental player on the practice squad.
Cortez Broughton, Cincinnati – Very explosive first step.
Daniel Wise, Kansas – Strong and agile.
Ricky Walker, Virginia – Same as Wise.
Kyle Phillips, Tennessee – Great edge rush-recruit who were moved inside to a tweener position.
Inside linebacker
Tre Lamar – Assignment sound.
Mack Wilson – Limited pass rusher but physical field general.
Ulysees Gilbert, Akron – Undersized but fast and extremely athletic.
Cameron Smith, USC – I thought he would be long gone. Intelligent, gap sound, sure tackler.
Safety
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida – Maybe not a need, but at some point you just go with the value.
Cornerback
Julian Love, Notre Dame – Same as Gardner-Johnson.
Iman Marshall, USC – Same as Love.
They have seven picks today. Assuming they use all of them, I would target wide receivers Kelvin Harmon and Preston Williams, tight end Kaden Smith, offensive tackles David Edwards and Oli Udoh, offensive guards Terronne Prescod and Wes Martin, edge rusher Christian Miller, defensive lineman John Cominsky and Cortez Broughton and inside linebackers Mack Wilson and Cameron Smith.
Now we have entered the development zone, so this list contains of players I think could be interesting – for one reason or another - to the Cardinals. It’s not where I have them ranked. Also, I haven’t included every position.
Wide receiver
Riley Ridley, Georgia – At some point you ignore the lack of production and look at his potential.
Preston Williams, Colorado State – 1st- or 2nd-round game tape, but some years ago he physical hurt a woman. As far as I can tell not as bad as Jeffery Simmons who went in the first round. When do you pull the trigger?
Kelvin Harmon, N.C. State – Fast and physical wide receiver with strong hands. Makes many circus catches.
Darius Slayton, Auburn – Blazing deep threat but not limited to just that.
Greg Jennings, West Virginia – Same as Slayton. Dana Holgerson might have told K2 a thing or two about him.
Antoine Wesley, Texas Tech – K2’s pupil at Texas Tech. By all accounts, the coaches there were thrilled about him.
Emmanuel Hall, Missouri – Athletic wonder with tons of speed.
Tight end
Kaden Smith, Stanford – Great body control and strong hands.
Foster Moreau, LSU – Basically another offensive lineman. Heavily underutilized with LSU, so maybe he can do more.
Offensive tackle
David Edwards, Wisconsin – Limited but solid.
Devon Johnson, Stetson – Very raw but massive potential.
Oli Udoh, Elon – Same as Johnson.
Offensive guard
Terronne Prescod, N.C. State – Very strong mauler. Guard only.
Wes Martin, Indiana – Same as Prescod.
Phil Haynes, Wake Forest – Maybe more of a practice squad guy, but has a chance with good coaching.
Larry Allen Jr., Harvard – Son of Larry Allen, so why not?
Edge rusher
Justin Hollins, Oregon – Great athlete. A work in progress.
Christian Miller, Alabama – Very smart player. Not much production, but no edge rusher at Alabama has that.
D’Andre Walker, Georgia – Undersized. Think Lorenzo Carter from the Giants who were the first pick in the third round last year.
Defensive lineman
Charles Omenihu, Texas – The pick of Zach Allen probably rule out Omenihu, but he’s a great prospect.
John Cominsky, Charleston – Would be a great developmental player on the practice squad.
Cortez Broughton, Cincinnati – Very explosive first step.
Daniel Wise, Kansas – Strong and agile.
Ricky Walker, Virginia – Same as Wise.
Kyle Phillips, Tennessee – Great edge rush-recruit who were moved inside to a tweener position.
Inside linebacker
Tre Lamar – Assignment sound.
Mack Wilson – Limited pass rusher but physical field general.
Ulysees Gilbert, Akron – Undersized but fast and extremely athletic.
Cameron Smith, USC – I thought he would be long gone. Intelligent, gap sound, sure tackler.
Safety
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida – Maybe not a need, but at some point you just go with the value.
Cornerback
Julian Love, Notre Dame – Same as Gardner-Johnson.
Iman Marshall, USC – Same as Love.
They have seven picks today. Assuming they use all of them, I would target wide receivers Kelvin Harmon and Preston Williams, tight end Kaden Smith, offensive tackles David Edwards and Oli Udoh, offensive guards Terronne Prescod and Wes Martin, edge rusher Christian Miller, defensive lineman John Cominsky and Cortez Broughton and inside linebackers Mack Wilson and Cameron Smith.