Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
For many years now I’ve posted 3 names I’d target with each Cardinal pick. This year is different. There is a reasonable possibility that the Cards acquire several picks to augment their current selections. So it’s hard to predict not only which picks they’ll acquire but also which ones they might include in a trade. So here’s how this works. Each round has a list of names that I think are worthy of selection in a given round. They are in the order of preference.
This is the most unpredictable draft I can recall. Just look at the incredible variance even in the most authoritative mock drafts. So no doubt I have some people too early and some too late. If someone in a given round is still on the board at the end of that round, they would drop to the top of the next round. I’m optimistic with some, like Bresee. He probably goes round 1, but if he lasts until pick 34, he’s my top choice.
This grid takes literally hours of work over several weeks. I’m now 75. That’s enough grids for a lifetime, so I suspect this will be my last. It’s been fun. I hope you enjoy analyzing it. Feel free to criticize. That’s what it’s for. It’s all in the interest of having fun.
Round 1
Will Anderson, EDGE, AL-simply the best by far but maybe not elite
Christian Gonzalez CB, OR-a true ballhawk with top cover skills
Bryan Bresee DT, CLM-can play anywhere on DL, impacts run & pass
Lukas Van Ness EDGE, IA-exceptional motor, great leverage, huge upside
Tyree Wilson EDGE, TT-impact player who will contribute immediately, slightly overrated
Devon Witherspoon CB, IL-can cover despite lack of top speed, physical & great in zone
Broderick Jones OT, GA-unusual size/speed combo, diagnoses well, second level blocking
Round 2
John Michael Schmitz C, MN-solidifies the Center spot for years to come, rarely fooled by stunts
Siaki Ika DT , BAY-powerful anchor who can also collapse a pocket but won’t get sacks
Darnell Wright RT TN-handled Anderson better than any other OL, immediate upgrade
Nolan Smith Edge, GA-gone if not injured, do it all Edge with big motor and plays run well
Devon Witherspoon CB IL-solid cover who lacks top end speed but succeeds with technique
O’cyrus Torrence G, FL-another possible injury drop, effective pass & run blocker, round 1 talent
Jayden Reed WR MSU
Yaya Diaby EDGE, LOU
Julius Brents CB, KSU
Round 3
Joe Tippman C, WI-underrated with major upside, plays with attitude, very athletic
Jatavius Martin CB, IL-not fast but still effective especially in zone, competes for ball
Cedric Tillman WR, TN-tough, big & intense competitor, major red zone threat, not fast
Roschon Johnson RB, TX-stuck behind Robinson, dual threat game-breaker, great upside
Andrew Vorhees OG, USC-possible round 1 if not injured p, good for pass & run
Luke Wypler C OSU-solid center with remaining upside, very smart, will start but needs coaching
Mike Morris EDGE MI-project against pass but strong versus run, needs polishing, should develop
Michael Wilson WR STAN-high effort project who needs technique improvement, consistently gets open
Andre Carter OLB ARM-great motor, contributes early as situational pass rusher, needs technique
Zacch Pickens DT, SCAR-very athletic, needs to add strength, can pressure pass, good for passing downs
Marvin Mims WR, OK-blazing fast who’s hard to cover but needs catch technique, spreads the field
Emil Ekiyor G, AL
Round 4
Keeanu Benton DT, WI
Gervon Dexter DL FL
Sean Tucker RB SYR
Karl Brooks DT, BG
Terell Smith CB MINN
Darrell Luter CB, S AL
Jarrett Patterson C ND
Chase Brown RB, IL
Round 5
Byron Young Edge
Jordan McFadden G, CLM
Mohamed Ibrahim RB MN
Jaxson Kirkland LG, WA
Anthony Johnson S, ISU
Round 6
Derek Parish EDGE, HOU
Henry Bainivalu OG WA
Myles Brooks S LA TC
Rashee Rice WR SMU
Tanner McKee QB STAN
Nick Saldiveri OT ODU
Jake Witt RT, N MI
Trey Palmer WR, NB
Riley Moss S, IA
This is the most unpredictable draft I can recall. Just look at the incredible variance even in the most authoritative mock drafts. So no doubt I have some people too early and some too late. If someone in a given round is still on the board at the end of that round, they would drop to the top of the next round. I’m optimistic with some, like Bresee. He probably goes round 1, but if he lasts until pick 34, he’s my top choice.
This grid takes literally hours of work over several weeks. I’m now 75. That’s enough grids for a lifetime, so I suspect this will be my last. It’s been fun. I hope you enjoy analyzing it. Feel free to criticize. That’s what it’s for. It’s all in the interest of having fun.
Round 1
Will Anderson, EDGE, AL-simply the best by far but maybe not elite
Christian Gonzalez CB, OR-a true ballhawk with top cover skills
Bryan Bresee DT, CLM-can play anywhere on DL, impacts run & pass
Lukas Van Ness EDGE, IA-exceptional motor, great leverage, huge upside
Tyree Wilson EDGE, TT-impact player who will contribute immediately, slightly overrated
Devon Witherspoon CB, IL-can cover despite lack of top speed, physical & great in zone
Broderick Jones OT, GA-unusual size/speed combo, diagnoses well, second level blocking
Round 2
John Michael Schmitz C, MN-solidifies the Center spot for years to come, rarely fooled by stunts
Siaki Ika DT , BAY-powerful anchor who can also collapse a pocket but won’t get sacks
Darnell Wright RT TN-handled Anderson better than any other OL, immediate upgrade
Nolan Smith Edge, GA-gone if not injured, do it all Edge with big motor and plays run well
Devon Witherspoon CB IL-solid cover who lacks top end speed but succeeds with technique
O’cyrus Torrence G, FL-another possible injury drop, effective pass & run blocker, round 1 talent
Jayden Reed WR MSU
Yaya Diaby EDGE, LOU
Julius Brents CB, KSU
Round 3
Joe Tippman C, WI-underrated with major upside, plays with attitude, very athletic
Jatavius Martin CB, IL-not fast but still effective especially in zone, competes for ball
Cedric Tillman WR, TN-tough, big & intense competitor, major red zone threat, not fast
Roschon Johnson RB, TX-stuck behind Robinson, dual threat game-breaker, great upside
Andrew Vorhees OG, USC-possible round 1 if not injured p, good for pass & run
Luke Wypler C OSU-solid center with remaining upside, very smart, will start but needs coaching
Mike Morris EDGE MI-project against pass but strong versus run, needs polishing, should develop
Michael Wilson WR STAN-high effort project who needs technique improvement, consistently gets open
Andre Carter OLB ARM-great motor, contributes early as situational pass rusher, needs technique
Zacch Pickens DT, SCAR-very athletic, needs to add strength, can pressure pass, good for passing downs
Marvin Mims WR, OK-blazing fast who’s hard to cover but needs catch technique, spreads the field
Emil Ekiyor G, AL
Round 4
Keeanu Benton DT, WI
Gervon Dexter DL FL
Sean Tucker RB SYR
Karl Brooks DT, BG
Terell Smith CB MINN
Darrell Luter CB, S AL
Jarrett Patterson C ND
Chase Brown RB, IL
Round 5
Byron Young Edge
Jordan McFadden G, CLM
Mohamed Ibrahim RB MN
Jaxson Kirkland LG, WA
Anthony Johnson S, ISU
Round 6
Derek Parish EDGE, HOU
Henry Bainivalu OG WA
Myles Brooks S LA TC
Rashee Rice WR SMU
Tanner McKee QB STAN
Nick Saldiveri OT ODU
Jake Witt RT, N MI
Trey Palmer WR, NB
Riley Moss S, IA
