Rank/Rate Our Position Groups

[Cheesebeef]

There was a quantum leap forward on the defensive line, but it’s a problem that the (likely) third and fourth best players on our defense are rookies who haven’t played a down. The best player on our defense had zero sacks, interceptions, or passes defended last year(!!!!).

Like the floor has been raised on that group but the ceiling is way low.

yeah... I don't expect us to get gashed on the run as horrifically as we did last season because of leap forward on the D line in the middle, but in turn, I think teams will have a field day throwing the ball all around the field because there will be next to zero pass rush again.

 

[kerouac9]

yeah... I don't expect us to get gashed on the run as horrifically as we did last season because of leap forward on the D line in the middle, but in turn, I think teams will have a field day throwing the ball all around the field because there will be next to zero pass rush again.

Sounds like a job for Kei’trel Clark.

 

[PACardsFan]

RB- E
QB- E
SAFETY- E
TE- E
OL- AA
DL- A
WR- A
ILB- AA
CB- A
OLB- A

Cannot argue with these grades, especially when you take into account that we have an elite coaching staff that will only improve in year 2. Cardinals will be the surprise of the NFC this year.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

what concerns me most is that unless one of our 2nd year guys take a humungous step forward or a rookie just completely breaks out, there is still not one legitimate playmaker on the defense.

I expect the offense to be flat out good. but this D could be close to as bad as last year's was.

My eyes last year told me Kyzir White is legit. I hope we get a full season this year.

 

[BACH]

RB- E
QB- E
SAFETY- E
TE- E
OL- AA
DL- A
WR- A
ILB- AA
CB- A
OLB- A

I think the hardest part about rating this team is rating talent vs. production.

SAFETY - E
Arguebly the best starting duo in the league when healthy

TE - E
McBride goes into the season rated as a top 3 TE. That brings this group to Elite by it self. Wiggins had 14 receptions as a rookie 3rd stringer (Remember Ertz was on this team for most of the season. Add Reiman as one of the best blocking TEs prospects in many year (with a potential to be involved in the passing game). The top three are all proper TEs that can both block and receive. That is unusual

QB - AAA
Kyler shows that he can fit in the scheme returning from injury. He hasn't show enough to be elite. He's 8-12 QB in the League IMO.

RB - AAA
Conner is not elite. He is in the second tier of RBs in the league (potential probowlers, but far from All-pro. Carter is former solid starter behind. Benson provides great talent behind. But unproven talent so far

WR - AA
WR#1 MHJ hasn't played a down yet. WR#2 looked solid when healthy, but has injury concern. Slot WR#3 Dortch keeps producing when on the field. This will be the first time he goes into the season as part of the staring rotation. We do not know if he can live up to the hype/love. Very limited or unproven talent behind.

OL - AAA
PJJ was an above average starter as a rookie. When you see that level of play from a starting OT rookie, it usually means something great is in the future. Hernandez is an above average starter. Williams is a solid to above average starter. Wilkenson finished the season as a solid starter with abundance of talent behind to replace him. Forholdt is the enigma. Rated 18th among Cs in first half of the season. Rated 4th in the second half of the season with the 2nd best run-blocking grade and the 10th best pass-blocking grade. If he continues at that level he will be a very rich man after the season. Or he could tumble back into being a journeyman key reserve.
Individual talent aside, the group played REALLY well collectively.

DL - AA
Solid starters in the group. Good run blockers. Lacking pass rushers. Robinson has unproven potential.

ILB - AA
White is a good starter. Wilson is an experienced starter than have found a niche in being great as a sub package coverage ILB.

OLB - A
Lots of talent. Very limited production on the field. Only proven player is Gardeck, who is a 3rd down pass rush specialist and should remain in that role.

CB - AA
See above. A solid 2nd CB in Bunting and loads of talent from rookies and 2nd year players. Until we see them on the field, we do not know. This group could be AAA to Elite by end season or drop to A

 

[Shane]

what concerns me most is that unless one of our 2nd year guys take a humungous step forward or a rookie just completely breaks out, there is still not one legitimate playmaker on the defense.

I expect the offense to be flat out good. but this D could be close to as bad as last year's was.

Come on bro? Haven’t you heard about the playmaker that is Budda Baker from so many on here?

I mean it’s gotta be true right?

 

[Cheesebeef]

My eyes last year told me Kyzir White is legit. I hope we get a full season this year.

he's a solid defender, but nowhere close to being elite.

 

[Mulli]

Sounds like a job for Kei’trel Clark.

Wait who?

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

Y'all outlandish thinking this 4-13 team has elite groups. Effing love it- finally entering a year of cardinals football that we have a lot to be foolishly optimistic about. Go cards

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

RB- E
QB- E
SAFETY- E
TE- E
OL- AA
DL- A
WR- A
ILB- AA
CB- A
OLB- A

Based on this we should be in line for potentially the #1 seed.

 

[Garthshort]

What concerns me still is the depth on defense. It doesn't take much for the averages to go to below average across the board.

And not only for the Cardinals but for the entire NFL. Bottom line, injuries will be a major part of how a team finishes. I do feel that Monti and his staff improves the way we handle our usual bad (injury) luck.

 

[Garthshort]

Y'all outlandish thinking this 4-13 team has elite groups. Effing love it- finally entering a year of cardinals football that we have a lot to be foolishly optimistic about. Go cards

I'm too old not to be optimistic. And, believe me, over the 70+ years of being a Cardinals fan, I've found optimism to be a lot more fun.

 

[Garthshort]

When it comes to TE's, there has been a lot of talk about playing with two TE's. It seems that Reiman will be our blocking TE. So, can we say that's another starter from this Draft?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

QB- Slightly Above Average
RB- Slightly Above Average
WR- Below Average
TE- Above Average
OL- Average
Overall: Above Average

DL- Slightly Below Average
OLB- Poor
ILB- Slightly Below Average
CB- Below Average
S- Above Average
Overall: Below Average

 

[CFLredzoned]

QB- Slightly Above Average
RB- Slightly Above Average
WR- Below Average
TE- Above Average
OL- Average
Overall: Above Average

DL- Slightly Below Average
OLB- Poor
ILB- Slightly Below Average
CB- Below Average
S- Above Average
Overall: Below Average

Yes. If there are 2 grades above average, there should be 2 grades below average. I got:

QB- Above Average
RB- Above Average
WR- Average
TE- Elite
OL- Above Average
Overall: Above Average

DL- Below Average
OLB- Poor
ILB- Below Average
CB- Average
S- Above Average
Overall: Below Average

Like someone said, if McBride is top 3 in the league, it should make the group elite by default, since TE rooms are only 2 or 3 guys anyway. Plus, it could be a big part of the identity of the offense, if the rookie is the physical presence he's projected to be.

WR being average depends on Wilson showing out.

 

[Garthshort]

Speaking of WR's, will we get anything from Chris Moore?

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Speaking of WR's, will we get anything from Chris Moore?

Good question

 

[Krangodnzr]

he's a solid defender, but nowhere close to being elite.

I would go as far as saying Kyzir White is a good, but not special defender. If he is your fifth or sixth best defender, you probably have a decent defense.

Last year he was the Cardinals best defender, hence why the defense was bad.

 

[QuebecCard]

There was a quantum leap forward on the defensive line, but it’s a problem that the (likely) third and fourth best players on our defense are rookies who haven’t played a down. The best player on our defense had zero sacks, interceptions, or passes defended last year(!!!!).

Like the floor has been raised on that group but the ceiling is way low.

This ISN'T Jalen Thompson, the actual best player on our defence last season.

 

[kerouac9]

Speaking of WR's, will we get anything from Chris Moore?

No

I would go as far as saying Kyzir White is a good, but not special defender. If he is your fifth or sixth best defender, you probably have a decent defense.

Last year he was the Cardinals best defender, hence why the defense was bad.

He can be the fourth best player on a good defense

 

[Cheesebeef]

I would go as far as saying Kyzir White is a good, but not special defender. If he is your fifth or sixth best defender, you probably have a decent defense.

Last year he was the Cardinals best defender, hence why the defense was bad.

Yeah… solid = good in my eyes. But I fear he’s still the best defender on the D. A D that HAS improved in front of him, but to what degree in the grand scheme, I’m not sure.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Yeah… solid = good in my eyes. But I fear he’s still the best defender on the D. A D that HAS improved in front of him, but to what degree in the grand scheme, I’m not sure.

Agreed.

I think the only way the defense takes a step forward is that the new DL players have to play like their best years in the league, and a few of the young guys have to step up.

New faces doesn't necessarily equal better unfortunately. Hopefully the Cardinals can figure out the best way to use Robinson because he can be a quasi game wrecked if used and developed properly.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Agreed.

I think the only way the defense takes a step forward is that the new DL players have to play like their best years in the league, and a few of the young guys have to step up.

New faces doesn't necessarily equal better unfortunately. Hopefully the Cardinals can figure out the best way to use Robinson because he can be a quasi game wrecked if used and developed properly.

I’m just excited to see what this offense can do. Kyler a full season past his ACL, two legit receiving options and what should be a really good ground game SHOULD be a potent offense, if not one of the better ones in the NFC. If they can control the clock and limit the amount of time the D is on the field, we could have a bunch of exciting games this year and actually be in the running for a wild card in December.

 

[SECTION 11]

We might be terrible.
We might be freaking amazing.

 

[Cheesebeef]

We might be terrible.
We might be freaking amazing.

If we’re huffing ether all season, we’ll be both, no doubt.