Proof that we're drafting better: The Cardinals have 6 homegrown 1st Round picks

[Krangodnzr]

An article by ESPN's Josh Weinfuss broke down our roster based on how it's constructed:

http://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/8596/how-the-arizona-cardinals-were-built

Of note is that we now have 6 first round picks drafted by the team on the roster. This a huge turnaround from a decade ago, where any given year, this team would only have 2-3 homegrown first round picks on the roster.

Of concern is that we still have a high number of free agents on the roster (21); I don't know how this compares with the rest of the league, but we should hope this number dwindles.

We also have a fairly low number of UDFAs on the roster (6), so the reliance on UDFAs that we saw during the Ferguson/Graves era has diminished.

 

[BigRedRage]

Only two picks so far to judge under the new regime so we shall see. Bucannon will be boom or bust, the jury is still out on cooper. I wouldnt call it proof yet that he is drafting well until his picks show the promice they came with.

 

[kerouac9]

Of note is that we now have 6 first round picks drafted by the team on the roster. This a huge turnaround from a decade ago, where any given year, this team would only have 2-3 homegrown first round picks on the roster.

This is nonsense. I know it might feel this way, but because first-round picks are almost always signed to five-year contracts, and at least a couple a decade are going to get extended by the team, there will almost always be 6 or more first-round picks on the roster.

For example, the Arizona Cardinals team "from a decade ago" had 6 home-grown first-round picks on the roster:
Calvin Pace (2003)
Bryant Johnson (2003)
Wendell Bryant (2002)
Leonard Davis (2001)
Larry Fitzgerald (2004)
L.J. Shelton (1999).

This was after another significant roster turnover as Dave McGinnis left and Denny Green took over.

The good news is that the quality of those first-round picks has increased. But the quantity is kind of meaningless.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

For example, the Arizona Cardinals team "from a decade ago" had 6 home-grown first-round picks on the roster:
Calvin Pace (2003)
Bryant Johnson (2003)
Wendell Bryant (2002)
Leonard Davis (2001)
Larry Fitzgerald (2004)
L.J. Shelton (1999).

oh god - why did you have to bring this up? I puked a little in my mouth when I saw this...

 

[Duckjake]

oh god - why did you have to bring this up? I puked a little in my mouth when I saw this...

Just think. Pace, Davis, and Fitz were all still in the league 10 years after they were drafted.

The old Cards were horrendous at developing, utilizing and keeping top players.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Just think. Pace, Davis, and Fitz were all still in the league 10 years after they were drafted.

The old Cards were horrendous at developing, utilizing and keeping top players.

Hey Duck, in other news, Kevin Kolb going by his pseudo name of Ash has hit another setback at Texas lol

 

[Chopper0080]

What I am excited about....

Larry Fitzgerald
Lyle Sendlein
Calais Campbell
Darnell Dockett
Patrick Peterson

all draft picks who were re-signed by the team.

 

[kerouac9]

What I am excited about....

Larry Fitzgerald
Lyle Sendlein
Calais Campbell
Darnell Dockett
Patrick Peterson

all draft picks who were re-signed by the team.

Sendlein wasn't a draft pick, but you have absolutely the right idea. I'm even more excited that we re-signed Fitz and Dockett twice(!).

The real step forward for the organization was being able to re-sign our own top talent. For better or worse, Rod Graves gets a large amount of credit for that leap.

 

[Krangodnzr]

This is nonsense. I know it might feel this way, but because first-round picks are almost always signed to five-year contracts, and at least a couple a decade are going to get extended by the team, there will almost always be 6 or more first-round picks on the roster.

For example, the Arizona Cardinals team "from a decade ago" had 6 home-grown first-round picks on the roster:
Calvin Pace (2003)
Bryant Johnson (2003)
Wendell Bryant (2002)
Leonard Davis (2001)
Larry Fitzgerald (2004)
L.J. Shelton (1999).

This was after another significant roster turnover as Dave McGinnis left and Denny Green took over.

The good news is that the quality of those first-round picks has increased. But the quantity is kind of meaningless.

LOL I didn't really check this, but you are spot on that we had just as many 1st rounders. I think you're spot on that the quality has improved. Of the six on the roster currently, 4 of the 6 (Fitz, Floyd, Williams, and Peterson) all could be considered good players that have met their draft position in value. Cooper and Bucannon are obviously unknown at this point.

The McGinnis era was truly a dark time for Cardinals football....

 

[Chopper0080]

Sendlein wasn't a draft pick, but you have absolutely the right idea. I'm even more excited that we re-signed Fitz and Dockett twice(!).

The real step forward for the organization was being able to re-sign our own top talent. For better or worse, Rod Graves gets a large amount of credit for that leap.

and you have to pick and choose, which, other than Washington, we have done a good job doing. We let Toler go. We let Roberts go. Rhodes is out of the league (still shocks me). Wilson is pretty much done. Dansby got huge money which may be the smart move in a couple years. Seems like we are paying less and less for player's worst years (other than Larry). That is progress.

Heading forward, it will be interesting to see what they do with Michael Floyd and Dan Williams. Personally, I have a number in my head for each, and wouldn't go past it. I wouldn't pay Floyd more than maybe 7 mil per year. WRs are a dime a dozen anymore. The market is flooded. I would maybe pay Dan 4 or 4.5 mil. He plays a position with a limited snap %. If Mathieu behaves, I would pay him. Massie...we will see. Reported to be in his best shape in his contract year...not a coincidence. Not sure I would pay Ellington big money.

 

[Krangodnzr]

and you have to pick and choose, which, other than Washington, we have done a good job doing. We let Toler go. We let Roberts go. Rhodes is out of the league (still shocks me). Wilson is pretty much done. Dansby got huge money which may be the smart move in a couple years. Seems like we are paying less and less for player's worst years (other than Larry). That is progress.

Heading forward, it will be interesting to see what they do with Michael Floyd and Dan Williams. Personally, I have a number in my head for each, and wouldn't go past it. I wouldn't pay Floyd more than maybe 7 mil per year. WRs are a dime a dozen anymore. The market is flooded. I would maybe pay Dan 4 or 4.5 mil. He plays a position with a limited snap %. If Mathieu behaves, I would pay him. Massie...we will see. Reported to be in his best shape in his contract year...not a coincidence. Not sure I would pay Ellington big money.

I was shocked to see what Washington paid Roberts. I was a fan of the idea of Roberts, but he never seemed to put it all together. Toler has been constantly hurt and was also vastly overpaid by the Colts. Signing him to the amount the Colts did would have really hurt this football team.

Cutting Rhodes was questionable, and I think the defense would've been better, but it still worked out well in the end.

With Floyd, I think it's wait and see. He soon could be worth more than 7 mil per year. Mathieu is definitely worth a huge contract if he avoids more injuries and stays clean. He's that amazing defender who truly makes everyone around him better, and even if he doesn't put up huge stats, others do because of him. Talk of Ellington is waaay too premature. Let the guy crack 800 yards and then we will entertain that idea.

The Cardinals are going to have a struggle with Fitzgerald if he doesn't take a massive paycut. I hate that it's going to come to this with the greatest Cardinal of all time.

 

[Buckybird]

Hey Duck, in other news, Kevin Kolb going by his pseudo name of Ash has hit another setback at Texas lol

No big loss Jet! Ash sux & so does Swoopes, he's living off his sisters name!!! Hard to believe the Horns can't recruit a big time QB. To be honest, I'm hoping the backup at A&M (from AZ) transfers to Austin after this year cause they've got another top recruited QB coming next year from Dallas in Kylar Murray. He's the son of former Aggieland standout Kevin Murray in the 80's so they've got a logjam brewing!!!

 

[cardncubfan]

I was shocked to see what Washington paid Roberts. I was a fan of the idea of Roberts, but he never seemed to put it all together. Toler has been constantly hurt and was also vastly overpaid by the Colts. Signing him to the amount the Colts did would have really hurt this football team.

Cutting Rhodes was questionable, and I think the defense would've been better, but it still worked out well in the end.

With Floyd, I think it's wait and see. He soon could be worth more than 7 mil per year. Mathieu is definitely worth a huge contract if he avoids more injuries and stays clean. He's that amazing defender who truly makes everyone around him better, and even if he doesn't put up huge stats, others do because of him. Talk of Ellington is waaay too premature. Let the guy crack 800 yards and then we will entertain that idea.

The Cardinals are going to have a struggle with Fitzgerald if he doesn't take a massive paycut. I hate that it's going to come to this with the greatest Cardinal of all time.

Didn't he have over 1,000 yards last year?

 

[Buckybird]

Didn't he have over 1,000 yards last year?

He meant rushing I'm sure

 

[Jetstream Green]

No big loss Jet! Ash sux & so does Swoopes, he's living off his sisters name!!! Hard to believe the Horns can't recruit a big time QB. To be honest, I'm hoping the backup at A&M (from AZ) transfers to Austin after this year cause they've got another top recruited QB coming next year from Dallas in Kylar Murray. He's the son of former Aggieland standout Kevin Murray in the 80's so they've got a logjam brewing!!!

I'm horrible... I was elated when I heard Ash might never play QB for UT again lol