My rankings 3.0

[Gandhi]

I would not draft him at #16, because I see him as a 7-tec player. I would assume that we need a 5-tec Edge

In Rallis' nickel-defense he deploys two wide 9-players. If three of them are Sweat, Browning and Ojulari, there is certainly room for one more, and Walker could fit that role. I am just not sure how succesful he will be. It would be unusual if a guy that short and with that short arms became a great pass rusher in the NFL, and I once heard Bill Walsh (I think it was him) saying that you should never draft outliers.

 

[Goldfield]

Of course it isn't, but if those roles could be filled by the Roy Lopez types, you'd have more money to add better players vs. flushing 20M.

They were hurt we didn’t even get a chance to evaluate

 

[ASUCHRIS]

They were hurt we didn’t even get a chance to evaluate

We saw 8 games total - they weren't pretty.

 

[Chopper0080]

In Rallis' nickel-defense he deploys two wide 9-players. If three of them are Sweat, Browning and Ojulari, there is certainly room for one more, and Walker could fit that role. I am just not sure how succesful he will be. It would be unusual if a guy that short and with that short arms became a great pass rusher in the NFL, and I once heard Bill Walsh (I think it was him) saying that you should never draft outliers.

In the division, the Cardinals play predominantly against these three personnel groupings. 11. 12. 21. Seattle and LA are predominantly 11 personnel with some 12 mixed in. SF is 12 and 21 dominant.

In terms of what those teams did out of those formations, Seattle was the only team in the top 10 of pass attempts. they also have changed OCs because they say they want to run more. LAR is next at 15. LAR and SF were middle of the NFL 15-18 in rush attempts.

So, I think if the Cardinals like to play nickel, having a larger defensive front which can hold up vs run and rush the passer might be the end goal. Finding guys can do both would likely be a priority. Stewart, Green, Nolen, Grant, Harmon all kinda fit that mold. Some of this also depends on how AZ wants to use Darius Robinson in those packages. Whether I agree with it or not, if AZ wants to use Robinson more inside, that diminishes the appeal of Nolen and Harmon, but increases the rest.

 

[Chopper0080]

One additional thought. If Sweat is viewed as the "small" EDGE, it may lead to AZ viewing any EDGE in rounds 1 or 2 as the upgrade for Zaven Collins. This would make Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams as preferred EDGE options over Green, Pearce, Walker and Campbell.

 

[Gandhi]

So, I think if the Cardinals like to play nickel, having a larger defensive front which can hold up vs run and rush the passer might be the end goal. Finding guys can do both would likely be a priority. Stewart, Green, Nolen, Grant, Harmon all kinda fit that mold. Some of this also depends on how AZ wants to use Darius Robinson in those packages. Whether I agree with it or not, if AZ wants to use Robinson more inside, that diminishes the appeal of Nolen and Harmon, but increases the rest.

This is how Gannon played in Philly. Where most of the league went with smaller, quicker defensive linemen, he kind of went the other direction with huge guys in the middle. That is why I never understood last year when many fans wanted to draft DT Johnny Newton, and why I don't understand why many wants Walter Nolen this year. I mean, it is not impossible to imagine, but it would simply go against history.

 

[Gandhi]

One additional thought. If Sweat is viewed as the "small" EDGE, it may lead to AZ viewing any EDGE in rounds 1 or 2 as the upgrade for Zaven Collins. This would make Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams as preferred EDGE options over Green, Pearce, Walker and Campbell.

I mentioned this in my rankings from January. You can find them somewhere if you want to read it. I also refer to it in the original post in this thread, so you can read more about the options there.

 

[BACH]

Oh right, the Irish guy? I have listened to that.

They have a new episode on risers in the draft.

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They spend 30 min discussing metrics vs. Production on edge rushers based on where to draft Stewart.


They also spend a lot of time discussing OT Campbell - basicly discussing that he might fail at OT but is a potential all-pro guard.

 

[Stout]

They have a new episode on risers in the draft.

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They spend 30 min discussing metrics vs. Production on edge rushers based on where to draft Stewart.


They also spend a lot of time discussing OT Campbell - basicly discussing that he might fail at OT but is a potential all-pro guard.

Where did they say Stewart should be picked?

 

[BACH]

Where did they say Stewart should be picked?

Loooooong discussion with no agreement. One was willing to take him around 10. The other was not and saying it all came down to how big a need it was and willingness to take a chance on potential, because production and type of production was only for a mid 2nd and lower level.

Few examples where superior metrics and low production works out (Danielle Hunter was the one they kept bringing up)

A lot of examples where it doesn’t work out.

They do believe Stewart has a much higher floor than most of these players that failed. He has a proven track record of being a good football player and a good DE. But the superior pass-rush production is lacking.

Worst case scenario you get a player a player at the Boye Mafe or Rashan Gary level. They comped to Rousseau as the realistic expectation.

His metrics measures 3rd all time behind Mario Williams and Garrett - both 1st overall picks.

 

[Gandhi]

Worst case scenario you get a player a player at the Boye Mafe or Rashan Gary level. They comped to Rousseau as the realistic expectation.

That is also what I mentioned somewhere. It is hard to see Stewart completely flame out.

Interesting discussion, by the way. I have also thought that you should absolutely consult a lot with your defensive line-coach before you make a selection like Stewart. There should certainly be a plan in place on how to optimize what he can do, and I don't know if the Cardinals have enough faith in DeLattiboudere yet.

 

[Stout]

That is also what I mentioned somewhere. It is hard to see Stewart completely flame out.

Interesting discussion, by the way. I have also thought that you should absolutely consult a lot with your defensive line-coach before you make a selection like Stewart. There should certainly be a plan in place on how to optimize what he can do, and I don't know if the Cardinals have enough faith in DeLattiboudere yet.

Hmm, it feels to me that worst case scenario is that you get Zaven Collins: A guy who can play the run but can't rush the passer to save his life. Stewart is a combine phenom that didn't show it on the field.

 

[Gandhi]

Stewart is a combine phenom that didn't show it on the field.

I don't think that is correct, Stout. There are ton of game video where he affects the play a lot because of his pass rush, and to be specific, he is a much better pass rusher than Zaven Collins. He just don't have the stats, and it is certainly fair to question him because of that. I do too. I have just seen how disruptive he can be, and those tapes are what you would draft him because of.