Offseason Update 12/27

[Mitch]

I don't know. I believe the Cardinals will try and retain either Swearinger or Jefferson, but I don't believe they re-sign both unless their respective markets are lower than I believe they will be. Mathieu's ability to play in the slot offers him a way to free up playing time for a true S, and allows the team to avoid having to carry 5 or 6 CBs on the roster. Along with this, there is concern over Mathieu's injury history. Adams has an ability to mitigate that while also being able to play both of the traditional FS and SS roles.

My thoughts are that this draft may put us into positions to have shots at a 10 year player. The two that I can easily identify are Rueben Foster and Jamal Adams. If either one is somehow available, regardless of need, we would be foolish to pass on them.

Great post. Great point about Foster and Adams. In several recent mocks, Adams is taken by SD @ #7 and Foster is taken by CIN @ #8.

If that's an eventuality and the Cardinals do not trade up---and using the recent BR Mock as a guideline, what player do you (Chopper and everyone) want the Cardinals to take?


PickTeamPlayer
1Cleveland BrownsJonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
2San Francisco 49ersMyles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
3Chicago BearsMitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
4Jacksonville JaguarsJabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
5Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams)Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
6New York JetsCam Robinson, OT, Alabama
7San Diego ChargersJamal Adams, S, LSU
8Cincinnati BengalsReuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
9Carolina PanthersTeez Tabor, CB, Florida
10Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles)Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
11Arizona CardinalsMike Williams, WR, Clemson
12Buffalo BillsJohn Ross, WR, Washington
13New Orleans SaintsDerek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
14Indianapolis ColtsZach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt
15Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota Vikings)Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
16Tennessee TitansJuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
17Baltimore RavensDalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
18Tampa Bay BuccaneersCarl Lawson, DE, Auburn
19Denver BroncosO.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
20Washington RedskinsTim Williams, OLB, Alabama
21Detroit LionsChristian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
22Houston TexansDeshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
23Green Bay PackersMalik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
24Seattle SeahawksRyan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
25Miami DolphinsSidney Jones, CB, Washington
26Atlanta FalconsTaco Charlton, DE, Michigan
27New York GiantsTakkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
28Pittsburgh SteelersAdoree' Jackson, CB, USC
29Kansas City ChiefsDeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
30Oakland RaidersDesmond King, CB, Iowa
31New England PatriotsDan Feeney, OG, Indiana
32Dallas CowboysDede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

 

[TheCardFan]

Agreed Mitch. I think SD, Cincy, Carolina, and Cleveland could all take the guys we want/need. I think we can get ahead of all of them except SD if we lose to the Rams. I hate losing but at this point, I would rather have a top 10 pick then a win that means nothing. Heck, the loss might even inspire them more next year.

My top 5 players for the Cardinals at this point (not in any order):

Ruben Foster, LB
Jamal Adams, S
Marshon Lattimore, CB
**** Tabor, CB
Corey Davis, WR

 

[cardncubfan]

Im a big Jamal Adams fan and it sucks because safety is one of the few positions we are set at. We technically could take him and let all our other safeties walk, but then our current holes will still be there.

How are we set at safety? Swearinger, Jefferson, & Branch are FA's. That leaves us with TM.

 

[Mitch]

How are we set at safety? Swearinger, Jefferson, & Branch are FA's. That leaves us with TM.

Branch is signed through 2017. But, you're right, we are not set at safety.

 

[TheCardFan]

Branch is signed through 2018. But, you're right, we are not set at safety.

Pretty sure Branch only signed a two year deal through 2017. If true, I would imagine he gets cut. He is set to count 4.2m against the cap and can be cut for only 500k (net 3.7m savings). I would rather spend that 3.7m on Swearinger.

 

[cardpa]

Great post. Great point about Foster and Adams. In several recent mocks, Adams is taken by SD @ #7 and Foster is taken by CIN @ #8.

If that's an eventuality and the Cardinals do not trade up---and using the recent BR Mock as a guideline, what player do you (Chopper and everyone) want the Cardinals to take?


PickTeamPlayer
1Cleveland BrownsJonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
2San Francisco 49ersMyles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
3Chicago BearsMitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
4Jacksonville JaguarsJabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
5Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams)Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
6New York JetsCam Robinson, OT, Alabama
7San Diego ChargersJamal Adams, S, LSU
8Cincinnati BengalsReuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
9Carolina PanthersTeez Tabor, CB, Florida
10Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles)Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
11Arizona CardinalsMike Williams, WR, Clemson
12Buffalo BillsJohn Ross, WR, Washington
13New Orleans SaintsDerek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
14Indianapolis ColtsZach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt
15Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota Vikings)Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
16Tennessee TitansJuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
17Baltimore RavensDalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
18Tampa Bay BuccaneersCarl Lawson, DE, Auburn
19Denver BroncosO.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
20Washington RedskinsTim Williams, OLB, Alabama
21Detroit LionsChristian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
22Houston TexansDeshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
23Green Bay PackersMalik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
24Seattle SeahawksRyan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
25Miami DolphinsSidney Jones, CB, Washington
26Atlanta FalconsTaco Charlton, DE, Michigan
27New York GiantsTakkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
28Pittsburgh SteelersAdoree' Jackson, CB, USC
29Kansas City ChiefsDeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
30Oakland RaidersDesmond King, CB, Iowa
31New England PatriotsDan Feeney, OG, Indiana
32Dallas CoiwboysDede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

San Diego might go Dline. Looking at their stats half of their sacks were generated by Bosa (9.5) and Ingram (8). They don't seem to be getting much pressure from their down linemen. Their next best sacker is Brown (3.5) another LB. Based on the results of the games Sunday we may fall even further down this list.

 

[Mitch]

Pretty sure Branch only signed a two year deal through 2017. If true, I would imagine he gets cut. He is set to count 4.2m against the cap and can be cut for only 500k (net 3.7m savings). I would rather spend that 3.7m on Swearinger.

I corrected it---thank you. Branch is set to count 4.5M in 2017 (1.75 dead money, 2.75 save = net 1M).

 

[TheCardFan]

I corrected it---thank you. Branch is set to count 4.5M in 2017 (1.75 dead money, 2.75 save = net 1M).

I had the wrong info then...thank you. With that data, he probably stays but we are in trouble if he is a starter.

 

[football karma]

I have a hard time seeing only one QB go in the top 10 with five teams (cle twice) desperately needing QBs

 

[TheCardFan]

San Diego might go Dline. Looking at their stats half of their sacks were generated by Bosa (9.5) and Ingram (8). They don't seem to be getting much pressure from their down linemen. Their next best sacker is Brown (3.5) another LB. Based on the results of the games Sunday we may fall even further down this list.

I hope they do go DL or OT but it would be very hard for them to pass on Jamal Adams.

 

[juza76]

Branch is signed through 2017. But, you're right, we are not set at safety.

Branch didnt play safety here

 

[Bodha]

Great post. Great point about Foster and Adams. In several recent mocks, Adams is taken by SD @ #7 and Foster is taken by CIN @ #8.

If that's an eventuality and the Cardinals do not trade up---and using the recent BR Mock as a guideline, what player do you (Chopper and everyone) want the Cardinals to take?


PickTeamPlayer
1Cleveland BrownsJonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
2San Francisco 49ersMyles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
3Chicago BearsMitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
4Jacksonville JaguarsJabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
5Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams)Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
6New York JetsCam Robinson, OT, Alabama
7San Diego ChargersJamal Adams, S, LSU
8Cincinnati BengalsReuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
9Carolina PanthersTeez Tabor, CB, Florida
10Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles)Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
11Arizona CardinalsMike Williams, WR, Clemson
12Buffalo BillsJohn Ross, WR, Washington
13New Orleans SaintsDerek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
14Indianapolis ColtsZach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt
15Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota Vikings)Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
16Tennessee TitansJuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
17Baltimore RavensDalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
18Tampa Bay BuccaneersCarl Lawson, DE, Auburn
19Denver BroncosO.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
20Washington RedskinsTim Williams, OLB, Alabama
21Detroit LionsChristian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
22Houston TexansDeshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
23Green Bay PackersMalik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
24Seattle SeahawksRyan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
25Miami DolphinsSidney Jones, CB, Washington
26Atlanta FalconsTaco Charlton, DE, Michigan
27New York GiantsTakkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
28Pittsburgh SteelersAdoree' Jackson, CB, USC
29Kansas City ChiefsDeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
30Oakland RaidersDesmond King, CB, Iowa
31New England PatriotsDan Feeney, OG, Indiana
32Dallas CowboysDede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

Obviously noone knows how it will go, but that top 10 looks wrong (based on current projections). Guys who will not be drafted top 10:
Marlon Humphry
**** Tabor
Jabrill Peppers
Cam Robinson
and then looking at the rest of the 1st round, I see a bunch of 2nd-3rd rounders.


But anyways, just going purely off the question of "Who do I want if not Foster or Adams". Assuming we pick 11th or so.....

In that situation my #1 choice is to trade back. Because the talent between 10 and 20 is comparable, after Foster and Adams, there arent any gamebreakers remaining.

#2 choice is probably Zach Cunningham but im still not sold. He is super lanky.

#3 choice would be BPA CB

#4 choice would be Mike Williams

#5 choice would be Deshone Kizer

#6 choice would be Quenton Nelson. Hes a G which makes you nervous based on our recent experience, but hes also out of Notre Dame, and that school is money for producing elite, technical linemen.

 

[Chopper0080]

as we are sitting at 11, my top 11 would go...

Myles Garrett - OLB
Rueben Foster - ILB
Jamal Adams - S
Jonathan Allen - DE
Quincy Wilson - CB
OJ Howard - TE
Sydney Jones - CB
Marlon Humphrey - CB
Corey Davis - WR
Mike Williams - WR
John Ross - WR
Derek Barnett - OLB

Some will freak out at OJ Howard as my 6th best player available. However, I look the scarcity of TEs in this league, in the draft in general, and the talent of Howard, and I feel he is worth a top 10 selection. If I am going to transition my offense towards focusing on DJ and the vertical passing game, I don't see a player in the draft who helps this more than Howard. He is fast enough to get behind LBs in play action, he has the size a willingness to block, he can attack the deep middle or occupy a S so our outside WRs can get deep. He opens up the offense in so many ways, and would play a ton of snaps. I like the CBs and WRs available, but I just feel that Howard offers skills that can't be found later in the draft or in free agency.

 

[Chopper0080]

All in all, I believe there are 6 sure-fire difference makers for the Cardinals in this draft.

OJ Howard - TE
*Opens up the offense in ways we have never seen. Helps the outside vertical passing game by attacking cover 2. Establishes play action threat behind ILBs who are crashing down on DJ in run sets. Gives the Cardinals the ability to run out of 11 personnel vs nickel. 3rd down / red zone option to complement Fitz and DJ.

Johnathan Allen - DE
*Physical DE pressence vs the run, while able to win 1-1 matchups if teams swing help to Golden and Jones. Insurance for Nkemdiche pick.

Myles Garrett - OLB
*Long outside pass rusher with good speed to run and chase while also has frame to develop a physical bull rush. More talented version of Chandler Jones.

Rueben Foster - ILB
*Physical, three down defender in the middle. Can run and chase QBs and RBs in the flat. Big hitter with great instincts.

Quincy Wilson - CB
*Big, physical CB who has experience being the CB that teams attack. Forced teams to throw away from him in 2016 and at **** Tabor. Solid in run support, and good ball skills.

Jamal Adams - S
*Do everything S. Leader. A grinder in college which should help him be great in the pros. Insurance for Mathieu. Solidifies the middle of the field. Enough athleticism to start deep and clean up scrambling QBs, RBs in the flat, and screen plays to WR.

 

[cardncubfan]

Branch is signed through 2017. But, you're right, we are not set at safety.

For some reason I thought he was on a 1 year deal. Thanks Mitch.

 

[daves]

I corrected it---thank you. Branch is set to count 4.5M in 2017 (1.75 dead money, 2.75 save = net 1M).

Mitch, i don't understand your "Net" number. He's either on the roster for $4.5M or cut for $1.75M, saving $2.75M. No?

...dbs

 

[TheCardFan]

Quincy Wilson - CB
*Big, physical CB who has experience being the CB that teams attack. Forced teams to throw away from him in 2016 and at **** Tabor. Solid in run support, and good ball skills.

Interesting. I don't see the same thing in Quincy Wilson...feel **** Tabor is a superior cover guy and tackler. In fact, Quincy avoids tackling. Watch the Alabama game from this year...they went after Wilson and he played poorly (coverage and tackling).

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, i don't understand your "Net" number. He's either on the roster for $4.5M or cut for $1.75M, saving $2.75M. No?

...dbs

You're absolutely correct, dave. Thanks for picking up on that.

 

[sinsay]

ADROEE JACKSON HE IS CB THAT CAN MAKES PLAYS ON THE BALL AND IS THE JIM THORPE WINNER

ALSO THE MOST VERSATILE PLAYER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE PLAYS THE POSITION THE CARDS NEED MOST

 

[cardncubfan]

ADROEE JACKSON HE IS CB THAT CAN MAKES PLAYS ON THE BALL AND IS THE JIM THORPE WINNER

ALSO THE MOST VERSATILE PLAYER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE PLAYS THE POSITION THE CARDS NEED MOST

Why are you yelling?