Some notes:
This is based on a fairly small amount of video clips. I will have to do a lot more research, and that will obviously reflect my opinions and rankings. So, take this for what it is worth. It is just my current thoughts, and it will change up until my yearly and only mock draft in April.
This is my Cards board. I once again urge you to consider that every media analyst is making general rankings, while you and me are focusing on players for the Cardinals. It is not the same, and logically, it should make a difference. And also, these rankings are my opinion. It is not like they are coordinated with more well-known analysts.
It would make me a bit sad if they used their first selection on an OT, and I would prefer that they didn’t address it in the first round. I think it was Kerouac that mentioned how most playoff teams this year have found quality OTs in other ways than the first round.
Obviously, I would have more players ranked for #27 if I had not projected what I consider realistic targets. For example, I expect players such as CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama), WR Malik Nabers (LSU), and EDGE Laiatu Latu (UCLA) to be long gone before #27, so there was no reason to include them.
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#4
WR Marvin Harrison (Ohio State) – it always makes me highly skeptical – borderline terrified - of a prospect when people start to talk about him as “a sure thing” or “generational talent.” In one way it indicates a basic misunderstanding of how the draft works, as there is no such thing as a sure draft pick. Thus, it also always makes me worry what is wrong with that player, because there is something. From getting the label, said prospect can only disappoint, and what does that do to him? The expectations from everyone are that he will start as All Pro and end in Hall of Fame, and can he deal with that? That said, Marvin Harrison certainly is a very good player, and he might help Murray take the next step.
WR Rome Odunze (Washington) – Equally good fit as Harrison – just a slightly worse prospect.
EDGE Jared Verse (Florida State) – Best fit and characteristic of any defender in regard to what Gannon, and (presumably) Ossenfort looks for. Verse is not only a great edge rusher, but he plays violent and relentless.
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#27
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) – Based on which players Gannon used the most with the Eagles, it would seem that McKinstry is a fantastic fit. In fact, I might at least consider him at #4.
DT T’Vondre Sweat (Texas) – The floor for him seems to be a great run defender, and occasionally he is completely unblockable as a pass rusher too. His fit seems natural in the middle of the d-line.
EDGE Chop Robinson (Penn State) – Gannon had a lot of success with Haason Reddick in Philly, and he and Robinson are somewhat comparable. It could be great.
DT Leonard Taylor (Miami) – I don’t think it is crazy to argue that Taylor could have the biggest potential of any DT in this class.
IOL Graham Barton (Duke) – I have been impressed with Hjalte Froholdt at center, but I think that left guard is a big need. If Barton is an option, I think you have to consider it, and then figure out who plays C and who plays LG.
IOL Troy Fautanu (Washington) – Much of the same arguments as with Barton, though with Fautanu the question would be if he should play left guard or right tackle.
CB Ennis Rakestraw (Missouri) – If it is any indication of Ossenfort’s thoughts, almost all of the early round CBs drafted by the Patriots and Titans, when he was there, was in the same mold as Rakestraw. And I like that type, by the way.
WR Xavier Leggett (South Carolina) – He is kind of a one-year wonder, but you have to respect his last season where he broke out. I would actually be thrilled to have him instead of Rondale Moore, but I think it would be overkill to go with a WR both at #4 and here. If they don’t take Harrison or Odunze at #4, then Leggett could become very much in play.
This is based on a fairly small amount of video clips. I will have to do a lot more research, and that will obviously reflect my opinions and rankings. So, take this for what it is worth. It is just my current thoughts, and it will change up until my yearly and only mock draft in April.
This is my Cards board. I once again urge you to consider that every media analyst is making general rankings, while you and me are focusing on players for the Cardinals. It is not the same, and logically, it should make a difference. And also, these rankings are my opinion. It is not like they are coordinated with more well-known analysts.
It would make me a bit sad if they used their first selection on an OT, and I would prefer that they didn’t address it in the first round. I think it was Kerouac that mentioned how most playoff teams this year have found quality OTs in other ways than the first round.
Obviously, I would have more players ranked for #27 if I had not projected what I consider realistic targets. For example, I expect players such as CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama), WR Malik Nabers (LSU), and EDGE Laiatu Latu (UCLA) to be long gone before #27, so there was no reason to include them.
----------------
#4
WR Marvin Harrison (Ohio State) – it always makes me highly skeptical – borderline terrified - of a prospect when people start to talk about him as “a sure thing” or “generational talent.” In one way it indicates a basic misunderstanding of how the draft works, as there is no such thing as a sure draft pick. Thus, it also always makes me worry what is wrong with that player, because there is something. From getting the label, said prospect can only disappoint, and what does that do to him? The expectations from everyone are that he will start as All Pro and end in Hall of Fame, and can he deal with that? That said, Marvin Harrison certainly is a very good player, and he might help Murray take the next step.
WR Rome Odunze (Washington) – Equally good fit as Harrison – just a slightly worse prospect.
EDGE Jared Verse (Florida State) – Best fit and characteristic of any defender in regard to what Gannon, and (presumably) Ossenfort looks for. Verse is not only a great edge rusher, but he plays violent and relentless.
-------------------------
#27
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) – Based on which players Gannon used the most with the Eagles, it would seem that McKinstry is a fantastic fit. In fact, I might at least consider him at #4.
DT T’Vondre Sweat (Texas) – The floor for him seems to be a great run defender, and occasionally he is completely unblockable as a pass rusher too. His fit seems natural in the middle of the d-line.
EDGE Chop Robinson (Penn State) – Gannon had a lot of success with Haason Reddick in Philly, and he and Robinson are somewhat comparable. It could be great.
DT Leonard Taylor (Miami) – I don’t think it is crazy to argue that Taylor could have the biggest potential of any DT in this class.
IOL Graham Barton (Duke) – I have been impressed with Hjalte Froholdt at center, but I think that left guard is a big need. If Barton is an option, I think you have to consider it, and then figure out who plays C and who plays LG.
IOL Troy Fautanu (Washington) – Much of the same arguments as with Barton, though with Fautanu the question would be if he should play left guard or right tackle.
CB Ennis Rakestraw (Missouri) – If it is any indication of Ossenfort’s thoughts, almost all of the early round CBs drafted by the Patriots and Titans, when he was there, was in the same mold as Rakestraw. And I like that type, by the way.
WR Xavier Leggett (South Carolina) – He is kind of a one-year wonder, but you have to respect his last season where he broke out. I would actually be thrilled to have him instead of Rondale Moore, but I think it would be overkill to go with a WR both at #4 and here. If they don’t take Harrison or Odunze at #4, then Leggett could become very much in play.
