Post your impressions fo each pick.

[joeshmo]

#1 - Dominique Rogers Cromartie - Would rather have had Mendenhall, but cannot complain all that much with this guys athletic abilities for our coaches to work with. Grade - B+

#2 - Calias Campbell - I like this pick better then I did yesterday. I was just OK with it yesterday but now I like as our best pick. Kid sounded like he really wanted to learn in his interview. If he is true to his word and really takes to coaching he without a doubt has the physical ability and the tools to make Antonio Smith an afterthought. Grade - A

#3 - Early Doucet - Would rather have had a speed guy or something else, but at least they did take a good player. May not have been a position or skill set that I like but I cannot deny that he is a good player so I cannot complain that much. Grade - B-

#4 - Kenny Iwebema - He does know how to stop the run but his does not have the tool set or athletic ability to really rush the passer. I like that he is a run defender though. Plus at least our DL coach really knows him since he recruited him out of high school and coached him for 3 season. He should know his character and skill set pretty well and how to coach him to get better. Would not have been my pick but since he is a good run defender it is still a solid pick. Grade - C+

#5 - Tim Hightower - Very good running back and is a team captain. Very productive. Did it against lower talent can he still produce. Not so sure about this pick. Sounds like a banger and Shipps enemy #1 in camp. Grade - C+

#6 - Chris Harrington - This is the one I am most dumbfounded on. Wasnt productive at all, is not a pass rusher, and our 3rd DE in the draft. Sorry but he is to slow and doesnt have the quickness to stand up and if tried there it will fail miserably IMO. We didnt need another DE or another LB this pick could have been used on something else and this is coming from someone who finds it hard to complain about late rounders becuase at this point you got to just take guys who you think can make your squad. Well I dont think this guy makes the squad, so bad pick. Grade - F

#7 - Brandon Keith - Very much so has major character concerns. But this guy plays to hurt people and is super strong. Cant ask for much more in a 7th rounder. Grade - B-

Makes the final grade barely a C+ to a B-. Probably would have went lower but my grades for rounds 4 though 7 are higher then what I really would have done but like I said it is hard to knock later round picks. The grade is also slightly on the rose colored glasses side becuase most of our draft just screams of the coach Mac high effort great character drafts of old(except for round 7)

 

[CHAPTER 7]

I really haven't heard too much about Ray Rice. Would it be a bad pick if we had taken him at our 3rd pick? Just a question.

 

[BleedRed]

Ray Rice was taken in the 2nd round.

 

[CHAPTER 7]

Ray Rice was taken in the 2nd round.

oops my bad. Okay for our 2nd round pick. Would that make this board pull their hairs out?

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

I agree....

Over-all, I'm pleased. THERE is ALOT of potential here. I think the hardest part of the draft for us is holding back our judgement. We desperately want to hear about our EVERY pick: Destined to be a Pro-bowler and a future hall-of-famer, and we want tomorrows' headlines to read, "Cardinals have ALL-TIME BEST NFL DRAFT!! BUT reality to me is having a draft where (3 )or (4) guys turn out really well. Let's see how this all plays out. GO CARDS!!

 

[MadCardDisease]

#1 - Dominique Rogers Cromartie - I was in the don't draft a RB in the 1st camp. DRC has unbelievable potential. However he also has major bust potential. Is he just a Track Star? Good news is he doesn't have start and can compete for a starting position. Grade - B

#2 - Calias Campbell - I was praying he would drop to us in the second. I think he is a perfect fit and a great value in the second. Grade - A

#3 - Early Doucet - I didn't even realize he was still available. When they called his name I was in total shock. I love this pick. Great hands, Great routes and is a play maker. Steal of the third round. Grade - A+

#4 - Kenny Iwebema - I don't know much about him other that what I saw today from the clips. Looks like a good tackler. Grade - C

#5 - Tim Hightower - I don't know much about him other that what I saw today from the clips. Looks awesome against lower competition. Had more excelleration than I expected based on what I read about him. Looks like a possible gem that fits Whiz's style of play. Grade - B-

#6 - Chris Harrington - I don't know much about him other that what I saw today from the clips. From what I can tell he is a solid tackler. Looks like a high motor player. In the 6th round I have no problem with this pick. Grade - D

#7 - Brandon Keith - Character Concerns scare the crap out of me. It doesn't sound like his heart is into football. Like Joe says he is the type of guy you throw a 7th rounder on. Grade - C-

Makes the final grade is a B. Defenses win championships. That's what we got this weekend. We went after BPA who just happened to fill needs at the same time. I'm very ecited to see Campbell, Doucet and Hightower play. Hightower intrigues me the most. Can't wait to see how he performs against NFL talent!

 

[TigToad]

my take

#1 - Dominique Rogers Cromartie - This was the pick I thought we should make. I would not have been upset with Mendenhall. I am pretty sure in 3 years this will be regarded as a draft steal or a draft bust. He could be a top tier corner or he could disappear into obscurity. I'm staying positive. A-

#2 - Calias Campbell - We got a great value here... makes me wonder why we took so many more DE's after this. Our best pick. A

#3 - Early Doucet - He'll be a very good third wide receiver and with Boldin and Fitz ahead of him, he'll have the time to develop. If he really pans out, he'll end up taking Boldin's place in a few years. More likely, he'll be a solid #3, which we needed and leave in 5 years when his contract is up like Bryant Johnson... however, we're paying him 3rd round money to be a number 3 instead of 1st round money. B- with upside.

#4 - Kenny Iwebema - I think this pick was a bit of a stretch, but he has upside value. The position of the pick is a bit confusing to me. Hopefully, he surprises, more likely he is a career depth guy, for which the 4th round is a bit early for that. C-

#5 - Tim Hightower - If this guy is what I think he is, Shipp will be moved out for salary reasons if we find any cuts to sign. I think this was a good value pick, it wasn't the sexy running back folks wanted, but Edge is a sexier back than Cards fans give him credit for. Edge gets first downs when the blocking is average. This guy will get first downs, too. Let Boldin and Fitz do the sexy for the offense. B

#6 - Chris Harrington - If we hadn't taken a DE, I could see this pick to fill up depth. As it is, I think he starts the year on the practice squad. Hopefully he develops. I won't grade anyone who hasn't had a chance to prove himself a failure yet... D

#7 - Brandon Keith - I really like the value here. I hate the character. Seriously, if he quit twice on his college program, the NFL is going to eat him up. Unless, the branding of him as a quitter and the drop of his draft stock from a 4-5 rounder to a 7 rounder motivates him. IT will if he's smart, there is a lot of money for guys who can play at his size on the line. IF he mans up, this is an A- pick for value...l unfortunately, I think he quits again, if we cut him its an obvious F. PRactice squad and this pick becomes a D+. He has a chance to contribute for depth right away though if things break right. I like the pick.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Overall I think this draft grade right now even though it's pointless to do one is about a B-, but the possibility is there for this to be one of the more productive drafts Arizona has done. Say what you will but everyone of these picks is a Whis. type guy tough and physical. The only pick here I really don't like is Iwebema I think he's too much of a project. I really like the last two picks. I love the description of Harrington--lunchpale type player. Overall I am very happy with this draft the top three guys all have first round grades not too shabby at all.

 

[BleedRed]

#1 - Dominique Rogers Cromartie - I love the DRC pick. After watching highlights of Mendenhall I did start to notice that he went down on first contact alot. I feel like DRC has the biggest upside of all the corners and love that we added alot of speed to our defense with this pick.

#2 - Calias Campbell - Another very good pick in my opinion. Mike Mayock had him rated has the 18th best player at seasons end. I think after his soph season everyone had him as a top 10 pick, but with Miami's obvious decline and a decline in his performance his junior year he fell in our laps. I think this was a steal.

#3 - Early Doucet - I like this pick as well. Obviously he doesn't have the long speed everyone wanted us to find in a WR, but I think he has the potential to replace BJ and there was no way I wanted a guy like Urban to be our 3rd reciever. Doucet will be a solid 3 for us.

#5 - Tim Hightower - Again it would have been nice to have found more speed here as well. But sounds like a tough kid and Coach Wiz seemed to really like him from what he said @ the draft wrap.

#6 - Chris Harrington - I know nothing about this guy. But I did watch the highlight video posted and did see a guy who is a big hitter and despite what alot of scouting reports say about him seems like he has the potential to be a stand up LB. He shows nice pursuit and the ability to contain on the edge all the way to the side line. Obviously this is from watching one highlight tape.

#7 - Brandon Keith - Seeks like he has some upside. I was really hoping we would to an o-lineman. We all saw the job Coach Grimm did last year and it will be interesting to see what he can bring out of this kid.


I am very happy with this draft. I would give us a high B grade. I'm no draft guru, but this is just my humble opinion on each player.

 

[BleedRed]

oops my bad. Okay for our 2nd round pick. Would that make this board pull their hairs out?

Personally I like the Campbell pick alot better. One thing that bothers me about Rice is that he carried the ball nearly 1,000 times in college. But besides that he's a solid player. I just think the Campbell pick was a steal.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

#1 - Dominique Rogers Cromartie - best CB in the draft.


#2 - Calias Campbell -Watch his video.....he's a lean mean tackling machine.

#3 - Early Doucet - Best hands in the draft at WR.

#4 - Kenny Iwebema - See what Isaid about Campbell.

#5 - Tim Hightower - Is he a fullback? Is he a RB?

#6 - Chris Harrington - Diss him as much as you want....Buster Davis he ain't.

#7 - Brandon Keith - Character shmaracter....if I'm 6'5"-340 and I can block the shiet outta people and I want to make money then sign me up for the NFL.....I ain't Ocho Stinko or PacMan.

 

[40yearfan]

Everybody is grading Harrington as a DE, but Coach Whis on the video Jim O put up after the whole draft, was saying that they drafted Harrington and will convert him to an LB. You need to grade him as an LB and not a DE.

 

[Mitch]

1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, TSU: Best skills and athleticism of any CB in the draft. Will need to be coached up...but all rookies do. Grade: A.

2. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami: His height creates problems, but he will need to get stronger and more physical to play 3-4 DE. Grade: B+.

3. Early Doucet, WR, LSU: Is NFL ready. One of the real plums in this year's draft. Grade: A.

4. Kenny Iwebema, DE, Iowa: Was taken where all the pundits thought he'd go and Aiken likes him for a reason. Grade: B+.

5. Tim Hightower, RB, Richmond: Perhaps could have been taken later...but, the Cards must have liked him this much to take him in the 5th. Loved his hightlights...faster than advertised and hits the hole in textbook fashion. Grade: B+.

6. Chris Harrington, OLB, Texas A&M: I love this pick....love this kid's aggressive tackling style...and in two years he will be the Mike Vrabel, SOLB, of our defense. You want SOLBers to be able to stop the run and that's this kid's forte. Grade: A-.

7. Brandon Keith, T, Northern Iowa: A-. Great value in Round 7. With money in the wallet, Russ Grimm at his ear, and a career on the line, he will be well motivated. Might be the monster LG we need.

Total Grade: A-.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

That's a little higher grade than I would give Mitch....but we're still on the same page.

 

[Mitch]

That's a little higher grade than I would give Mitch....but we're still on the same page.

Actually Doc, the grade right now as you and I know, is irrelevant. The coaches have to turn these kids into good pros. It's now up to the coaches...the players the Cards picked have talent.

 

[Brewster10]

1)Cromartie: A-
2)Campbell: B+
3)Doucet: A-
4)Iwebema: C
5)Hightower: B+
6)Harrington: D
7)Keith: C+

Overall I give the draft a solid B..

I dont like that we didnt add a safety to the mix.. i think we are relying an awful lot on a successful transition by Rolle to safety.. and even if he does do a good job there.. we have no depth.. our backup safeties are terrible..

Personally, i would have spent a Day 2 draft on that position..

I also dont like the Harrington pick.. he's a body.. with limited upside..

Iwebema.. i would have ranked lower.. but ill trush our DL coach..

Our best picks in my opinion were Cromartie and Doucet.. I also am intrigued by Calais Campbell and Hightower

 

[red desert]

Cromartie - A

Cambell - A

Doucet - A I love the above two selections, but for some reason I am most excited about this pick. He really is Anquan all over again. We will have the most punishing three wide reciever sets in the history of the NFL

Iwebema - C Don't know much about the guy so I'll play it safe

Hightower - B Those highlight clips are something else, aren't they?

Harrington - C same as Iwebema

Keith - C Why not this guy in the seventh

I also believe that Cromartie will be inserted into the offense on some special packages sooner rather that later. How exciting is that?

 

[Shogun]

1. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - I like the pick. Jon Stewart was taken off the board, so DRC is a consolation prize. Corner was the Cardinals' most glaring need and has potential to be one of the best in L. Instant impact on special teams and at nickel. A very high ceiling. A

2. DE Calais Campbell - A Miami (FL) man who could start from day one. He's big (6-7, 290) and very talented with a lackluster season. Some will say that might not fit well in a 3-4, but the Cardinals run a one-gap system and he'll be able to translate better than initially thought. B+

3. WR Early Doucet - I admit that I was pissed initally with the pick, but I can see why - we have no slot, Steve Breaston is an awful receiver and Sean Morey is out of his element when he actually has to play receiver. Hell, Pat Willis ran him down last year. SMH. Doucet was a good value and will fit in the slot. B-

4. DE Kenny Iwebema - Classic talented underachiever that Cards are prone take a flyer on. He's talented and another good run stopper, but his laziness bothers me - he shut it down when Aiken left. His former coach is Zona's D-Line coach now, so maybe he'll play up to his potential more since he had his best seasons under him. Pure depth selection, but I would have preferred Red Bryant or Tashard Choice. C+

5. RB Tim Hightower - Relatively unknown small school RB, but looking at his highlights he runs hard and is good NBTT and have seen comparisons to Marion Barber. Not a home run back, but fits what they're trying to do. Some will compare him to to Steve Baylark and Marcel Shipp, which isn't a good thing. I'd like to see more of him, so I'm being cautious. C+

6. LB Chris Harrington - Pure depth/rotation pick for our linebackers, where we pretty set on. A real hustle player. C

7. OT Brandon Keith - Very athletic and initially pegged as a mid-rounder, but raw and has questions with commitment since he quit Oklahoma twice. Grimm has success with late linemen, so with his new project he could give us depth or be groomed for a starter in the future. B

First three picks was basically BPA and value picks, the second day was heavy influenced by who the position coaches wanted. I like that the Cardinals didn't have to draft for need with every single pick. OVERALL: B

 

[D-Dogg]

#1 - Dominique Rogers Cromartie - I preferred Mendenhall here, but only slightly. I preferred Cason to DRC, but only slightly. I'm very happy with this pick and if DRC can live up to the hype, we are going to have a kick ass secondary (Rolle at FS is already head and shoulders above Holt, without taking a snap). Great pick...can't argue it. A-

#2 - Calias Campbell - Surprised we got him here. Surprised we didn't take a RB here but this guy is a tackling clinic...good pick and with Hightower later it takes the sting out of the premier backs being gone by the 3rd. A-

#3 - Early Doucet - Really good WR. I wanted a speed 3WR but this guy is an instant 3WR from camp. No need to earn the job. Plus, when one of our top two WR come in, he steps in fine. Nice, sure hands and crisp routes for Matt. - B+ (wanted speed)

#4 - Kenny Iwebema - Hmm...I don't like this pick that much. Maybe he'll grow on me. I would have rather drafted a sure starter and facemask demolisher in Owen Schmitt right here. Instead we get a guy who has injury past, came back average and could have been had later in the draft, IMO. Grade - D+ Would love to be proven wrong.

#5 - Tim Hightower - We needed a back. We got one. I had no clue about him but watching his highlight reel there is a lot to be hopeful with. I love his size and his burst through and TO the hole. Question mark because of the caliber of opponents he faced. Apparently Mo Carthon gave a money back guarantee if we drafted him. Ok. I'll bite. Grade - B+ (especially for getting a potential great back late after passing on the top ones for two good defensive players).

#6 - Chris Harrington - Taking him and converting him to OLB is what makes this pick a D+ instead of a D-. Didn't know much about him, and wasn't impressed with what I did know and found out. However, juuust maybe he can be strong at the OLB spot. D+

#7 - Brandon Keith - No clue here...his character issues could sink him fast, but his talent could make him a great depth guy and help the run game in the future. - C

Let's give an overall B- on this draft, which could climb into the A range.

 

[joeshmo]

Everybody is grading Harrington as a DE, but Coach Whis on the video Jim O put up after the whole draft, was saying that they drafted Harrington and will convert him to an LB. You need to grade him as an LB and not a DE.

That is exactly why I gave him an F. He just didnt show enough speed or quicks to be a stand up guy. He needs to have his hand on the ground IMO. Maybe they try and make him loss a few pounds to gain some more speed and quicks?

 

[JeffGollin]

First, the obligatory "We won't know for three years" disclaimer.

Second - my own personal "the draft is all about probabilities and not definites" disclaimer.

Having said that - I think we can evaluate any draft based on what we set out to do and what we accomplished.

Our objectives going in (at least as I saw them) were (1) become more stable and possibly add a playmaking dimension at CB, (2) bring in a high profile RB with home run ability to spell, compliment and eventually replace Edge, (c) add to our depth, toughness and run blocking on the O-line, (d) strengthen our depth further at safety (Rolle notwithstanding), (e) add to our depth at our front seven play-making pass rush positions (DE and OLB), (f) add a NT for "Watson insurance" and find a "slash" QB for the PS and (g) replace BJ with a "Z" receiver who can come out of the slot - & if the guy's a burner, all the better.

Over all - We added our playmaking CB and got a lot of depth at the Front Seven perimeter positions but didn't bring in a home run hitting RB, add depth at safety, pick up a NT, draft a slash QB but at least attempted to strengthen our O-line down the road. We got our slot receiver, but he's more like Boldin and less like Joey Galloway speed-wise.

Based on this, I'd give us a C+ going on a B-.

Regarding specific players:

1)Cromartie: A+
Of all the players in the entire draft, this is the one I wanted most. In addition to his measurables, I like his playmaking capability - the way he breaks on the ball and can leap high to make the pick. I saw him do it on tape, I saw him do it at Senior Bowl practice and I saw him do it against top competition in the Senior Bowl game.

2)Campbell: B+
I felt we needed more of a Freenie capability at DE/OLB, but the Cards opted to add a big guy with vines for arms who can anchor the LDE position in a 3-4 or, at 285 lbs play inside in a 4-3. Didn't fill a precise need, but was a "best player available" type pick. On that basis, I'd go with a B+

3)Doucet: B+
Our good slot guy - Boldin mentality. Not a blazer.

4)Iwebema: C
Questionable pick - He has all the tools, but is considered an underachiever and therefore somewhat of a risk. With Campbell drafted, this wasn't a need pick. Question must be - all things considered, was he really a "best available athlete" pick? This is one of those instances where the final grade should be withheld until we determine whether Aiken can turn him into a productive player.

5)Hightower: C
Another questionable pick. Is he truly a "hidden gem" with legendary skills that no one else knew about? Will his work ethic turn him into a RB who can successfully challenge Shipp and Baylark? Or will he turn out to be an overachieving journeyman? Whatever the case, he doesn't represent the answer to our need for a "home run hitting RB."

6)Harrington: C
(I'm not rating anyone a D or lower until I have the opportunity to see him line up in real time on a real pro team). That said - He's the third DE drafted without anything truly special to write home about. He can stop the run and works hard but isn't considered much of a pass rusher. Maybe he can challenge for a rotation job. Didn't fill a need. It's hard to imagine him being the best athlete available to us.

7)Keith: A
He gets the "A" because it was a great pick for the position. He's an awesome physical specimen (345 lbs and runs a 4.89). If Russ Grimm can coach him up and light a fire under him, we'll have our road grading RT of the future (with Levi moving over to the left side). We need to start building some talented depth behind our starting tackles. If he bombs, we will have only blown a #225. Great pick for the spot.

In the case of Cromartie, Campbell and Doucet, they should have a much shorter time window with which to earn their grade (i.e. their first year). But it may take 2 or 3 years to know what we really got in Iwebema, Hightower, Harrington and Keith.

 

[joeshmo]

Sounds like everyone is about on the same page with their overall grades.

 

[joeshmo]

In the case of Cromartie, Campbell and Doucet, they should have a much shorter time window with which to earn their grade (i.e. their first year). But it may take 2 or 3 years to knlor]ow what we really got in Iwebema, Hightower, Harrington and Keith.[/color]

I can agree with that. It might take Campbell to get a little used to the 3-4 and switching back and forth from 4-3 to 3-4 in Pendys scheme but that shouldnt take all that long if his main priority is to get up field. Cromartie might have to take some time to beat out Green, maybe closer to the end of the season, but should see plenty of time on special teams gunner and nickel and dime packages.

Keith will probably take a year to get down to a weight that Lott will want him at. Harrington might have to loss 5-8 lbs and get more time in speed training as well as learning a new position. Probably sits on the PS for the year, learning and training. I think Hightower will immediatly show us what he has. RB's usually shows us what they have sooner rather then later. Shipps #1 enemy right now. Iwebema I think takes less time because he already knows his Dl coach and has already worked under him for 3 years prior, that should take him less time to adjust.

 

[Pariah]

1)Cromartie: B+
Tremendous upside, but I think he'll prove too small for the NFL. His body-type seems unusual to me. I'd have taken Jenkins if they were dead set on a CB. JMHO.

2)Campbell: B+
Good value, fills a spot that we're either thin or old at (depending on where he plays for us). I like it okay.

3)Doucet: A
Best pick of the day. Best football player on the board by a mile, IMO.

I don't know enough about the rest to comment.

 

[slanidrac16]

Our defense is better today than it was on Friday. We are deep in our front 7 and the guys we drafted will be given time to learn abd coached up. DCR and Campbell will make some contribution this year. DCR will make some highlight reels.
Doucet will contribute and gives us a viable receiver that has been on a winning program and won't need to be coached up like a Steve Breaston or Jamaica Rector.

Our RB option was a 2 headed monster. Do we draft a guy to eventually replace Edge? Or do we draft a guy to compliment Edge.
A compliment , change of pace, home run threat persay would have gotten 8 to 10 carries a game. That's not the type of back that you spend a 2nd or 3rd round pick on.
A sure fire back was going to cost us a #1 pick this year with Edge still having 2 years left on his contract. Stewart was gone but had injury questions and Mendenhall was kind of a 1 year wonder.
Hightower seems to be a back that can eventually carry the load and we have time to find out if he can. If Edge goes down at least this kid can run between the tackles with a little pop.
Arrington sowed some flash last year and apparently the Cards think he can make some contribution on this team.

I will give the Cards a C+ overall. I am going to give Whiz the benefit of any doubt at least until we see what we got.