Rating Our Draft

[Dr. Jones]

Overlooking injury issues in rd 4 is WAY different then overlooking them in the to half of the 1st rd.

Again.... How can you say this without acknowledging we took Nkemdiche in the 1st and then Reddick this year. Both have had run ins with the law. Reddick was suspended for three months from the team!

To me.... It just looks like homerism at it's finest.

 

[Goldfield]

Oh, so my grade is a B+ simply because we didn't get one of the higher rated CB's in this deep and rich CB draft.

Sure it would have been nice to have our QBOTF selected but I didn't see that QB in this draft.

I can't wait to watch HB and Budda out there getting picks and sacks and driving opposing QB's crazy.

Reddick should be as much fun as DWashout. Heck, Los and Reddick and Golden and CJ will be a ton of fun to watch.

If Diche does what he has the ability to do this D will be insane.

I feel great about the Oline which means I feel great about the Offense in general and expect a year like 2015 and not 2016.

Special Teams should now be special in a good way and not like last year. Hopefully Logan can return punts as well and then we are set.

Love it all, I love Mitch's idea of kicking Jones down to DE on third down with Riddick OLB.

Diche Gunter Jones
Golden Buc Dansby Reddick
PP21 HB Budda ?

Other than corner #2 I'll take that potential

 

[pinetopred]

Yeah but you want to debate something you never even brought up in your 1st post you questioned the 1st round I responded with what I knew as truth. Now you want to bring up our 4th round draft pick when it suits your argument do you see the hypocrisy.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I give it a B+. We added speed and crucial depth. There will be at least 3 future starters here and I think even 4.

 

[Goldfield]

Many of you are assuming Chad williams would have been available in round 5. The few articles I read said that he was told anywhere from 2nd -4th, with 3rd being the most likely by NFL advisory board. And other pundits stating that had he attended a big program he likely would have gone top 50.

Who knows if those are accurate. What I do know is the team liked him, has a great history under current leadership of finding excellent small school WRs, and got him near the end of the third round. AOUNDS about right to me.

Overall I like the draft for the following reasons:

Reddick's upside. This is a little hoping for best and appreciating the talking heads' glowing reports on him.

Unlike apparently a lot of you, I think having two honey badgers is better than one. A LOT better. If budda pans out more like a Thomas more power to us!

And I think almost all the non-o-line picks have a good chance of upgrading our special teams!

Reddick and Diche "should" improve an already good pass rush. I wanted Baker in the second for at least a month. Can't wait to see the speed on D with HB and Baker together and Reddick with buc or Dansby wow I'm thrilled with the potential

 

[Stout]

Incomplete.

This I can get behind. My grade isn't valid, nor are the A's, though we're all entitled to our opinions. Really, there's no way to know at this point how this draft has panned out. There won't be for a while.

Dude, do you even follow the Cardinals?? smh

Yes, the locker room. Do YOU follow the Cardinals? When even BA acknowledges there are problems, in-season, you damn well KNOW there are problems. Did they fix it during the off season? They might have. I hope so. I just don't like adding another troubled youngster to a locker room that was 100 percent unsettled, as admitted by the team. If you don't recall that, you certainly weren't following last season very closely.

Completely disagree with your emotional response. i don't think we screwed up at all. we got the players that the brass wanted and they didn't hesitate. I think your response is very subjective. As far as the locker room goes...I would bet that having CC, Jefferson, Swearinger all playing for contracts was the problem. Add in Floyd and his struggles and I think they cleaned it up. This is conjecture on my part and I am not afraid to admit it.

So my response is merely emotional and, by extension, invalid, because it disagrees with yours? Bzz, incorrect! Your grade is just as emotional and subjective as mine. Now, I'm hoping that you're right, that we've gotten rid of the rabble rousers. I'm not sure you named them all, or the right ones, but there's no knowing that. At least you remember that there were locker room issues, unlike some posters here. One of my issues is that we're adding another kid with known issues to that locker room. I don't have a problem with his school, the round he was drafted, his talent, or any of that. We're taking a shot on a project. Fine. But that project also comes with baggage, which I don't like. Not after last season.

Just because I'm floating an unpopular opinion doesn't make it wrong. I very much hope the prevailing opinions are the correct ones.

 

[Sunburn]

Reddick was suspended for three months from the team!

Where did you see this? I did not see he was suspended.

"Reddick and teammate Dion Dawkins got into trouble for an assault outside a Philadelphia nightclub in March 2015, but was not suspended."

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/haason-reddick?id=2557887

Everything I've seen speaks highly of Reddick's character.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I can only caution that relying on Nkemdiche to step up may lead to disappointment. How many snaps did he get last year, like 8 or something?

 

[Stout]

I can only caution that relying on Nkemdiche to step up may lead to disappointment. How many snaps did he get last year, like 8 or something?

+1

 

[THESMEL]

I like it -

 

[Goldfield]

I can only caution that relying on Nkemdiche to step up may lead to disappointment. How many snaps did he get last year, like 8 or something?

I completely agree but he was a first round pick and Campbell moved on so it's his time to step it up rookie year is over it's go time

 

[MrYeahBut]

I completely agree but he was a first round pick and Campbell moved on so it's his time to step it up rookie year is over it's go time

No argument from me. Now if we can just get his mom to pitch all his gangsta gear, then grab him by the ear and drag him to a men's shop for a suit and tie.

 

[MrYeahBut]

While I have no real complaints with the draft per se, the team added zero/zilch, skill players on the offensive side of the ball.

Yeah, they drafted a couple Oline players, one of which may turn out to be great, but here the team sits with nothing approaching a truly dynamic offensive player, save David Johnson. Palmer will be Palmer, Fitz will be Fitz, the 2 Browns are in no way a sure thing and Ellington is being moved to a new position, albeit one that should not have a significant learning curve for him.

The draft as it stands now should provide significant improvements in special teams, the board will explode if that doesn't happen.

Maybe I worry too much but I wish I had something to give me a.spark for the offense.

 

[overseascardfan]

While I have no real complaints with the draft per se, the team added zero/zilch, skill players on the offensive side of the ball.

Yeah, they drafted a couple Oline players, one of which may turn out to be great, but here the team sits with nothing approaching a truly dynamic offensive player, save David Johnson. Palmer will be Palmer, Fitz will be Fitz, the 2 Browns are in no way a sure thing and Ellington is being moved to a new position, albeit one that should not have a significant learning curve for him.

The draft as it stands now should provide significant improvements in special teams, the board will explode if that doesn't happen.

Maybe I worry too much but I wish I had something to give me a.spark for the offense.

They added WR Chad Williams and RB TJ Logan. They didn't add a full time CB (Ford will play CB but played S at AUB) or a QB.

 

[MrYeahBut]

They added WR Chad Williams and RB TJ Logan. They didn't add a full time CB (Ford will play CB but played S at AUB) or a QB.

Please remind me, was TJ drafted mainly because we've had squat returning kicks and punts... Since, like ever. I didn't read up anything on Williams so I'll make sure to do that

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Someone asked for a positive national review.

Kiper had us as his best draft. Watch the video

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...32-teams-draft-classes-results-picks-analysis

 

[oaken1]

this was an interesting draft for the redbirds. on the surface it appears fairly unexciting which to some may make it a bad draft,...because we all know how important it is to win the draft
one thing that stands out to me in all the mediocrity is that apparently we picked quite a few players with high floors....and uncertain ceilings... but to many fans chagrin we did not pick any pizazz players... we filled holes not just for this season but for next as well... unless anyone thinks we can afford to pay both Jones and Golden as 12 sack producers?..only if we draft a starting QB......... not sweating missing out on a top WR...we are building this team from the inside out which is the proper way to do it,...we should be drafting linemen in the top four rounds of every single draft..this team has shown an ability to spot and develop WR's anyway...plus,...consider how many highly drafted WR's the patriots have on the roster each year...but somehow brady makes their guys look like stars............. the team invested in DB's last draft and have been developing them for a full year now,..we invested in DB's again this draft...we got a known quantity in Baker, then an unknown in Rudy Ford....the same Rudy Ford who spent the time leading up to the draft training with Rod Hood and Patrick Peterson...so we can be fairly confident the team knows what that asset brings to the table.
I think they played the draft well...every draft has runs and we didn't get caught up in any of them...every time their is a run it pushes quality players lower in the draft as teams suddenly feel desperate to get "their" guy before he is gone... we moved a bit but it didn't feel forced, it was more fluid...and it looked as if the war room was in control the entire draft.. this was a blah draft...nothing overly exciting...nothing overly disappointing..they just went to philly and plugged holes...I give them an "A' for a journeyman type draft

 

[Mitch]

My Grades:

Reddick: A
Baker: A
Williams: B+
Johnson: A
Holden: B-
Logan: A
Ford: A

Grade: A-

I don't really understand the Holden pick. We already have quality young depth at tackle (Humphries, Wetzel, John and Givens). On tape, Holden does not look like a better RT than Wetzel. Holden is a little better run blocker than Ulrich John, but not as agile and light on his feet as a pass protector.

What an A+ Draft to me would have looked like:

1. LB Haason Reddick
2. FS Budda Baker
3. QB Joshua Dobbs
4. OG Dorian Johnson
5. WR Shelton Gibson
5. RB T.J. Logan
6. CB Rudy Ford

 

[Garthshort]

Question for MrYeahbut. I understand your concern about not adding more to the offensive side, but in order to add more zip to the 'O', which of the first two picks do you want changed, and for whom?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I give them a B because, while all the guys are talented, there are serious questions about every player. Reddick is going to be asked to play a position he has never played, Baker is small, Williams is generally regarded as a reach, Johnson has med issues, Holden has footwork/strength issues, and Ford is changing positions.

The good thing is, if the players pan out, and that's a definite possibility, this draft could be a homerun. Other than Holden, all the other guys could be contributors this year and 3 could be starters at some point in Reddick, Baker, and Johnson.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

then an unknown in Rudy Ford....the same Rudy Ford who spent the time leading up to the draft training with Rod Hood and Patrick Peterson...so we can be fairly confident the team knows what that asset brings to the table.

This is the part I like about Ford. The team is already familiar with him and 2 of our guys have worked with him. Must have seen some good upside.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I don't really understand the Holden pick. We already have quality young depth at tackle (Humphries, Wetzel, John and Givens). On tape, Holden does not look like a better RT than Wetzel. Holden is a little better run blocker than Ulrich John, but not as agile and light on his feet as a pass protector.

Wonder what they see in him? Like you said there were different options at that point in the draft and we have some depth already.

That's the only pick that can be questioned IMO.

I just read that Williams got in a fight at practice at the Senior Bowl. Hopefully one of our guys schools him so he can distance himself from his friends and get a better focus on being a full time player.

 

[LittleDavis]

I can only caution that relying on Nkemdiche to step up may lead to disappointment. How many snaps did he get last year, like 8 or something?

This is how our coach has worked in first rounders. Nothing is handed to these players until they earn it. Nkemdiche, according to BA, came on at the end of the year and was playing well. I have a lot of hope that he has learned to be a pro and I think the coaches know him best.

 

[LittleDavis]

[/QUOTE]
So my response is merely emotional and, by extension, invalid, because it disagrees with yours? Bzz, incorrect! Your grade is just as emotional and subjective as mine. Now, I'm hoping that you're right, that we've gotten rid of the rabble rousers. I'm not sure you named them all, or the right ones, but there's no knowing that. At least you remember that there were locker room issues, unlike some posters here. One of my issues is that we're adding another kid with known issues to that locker room. I don't have a problem with his school, the round he was drafted, his talent, or any of that. We're taking a shot on a project. Fine. But that project also comes with baggage, which I don't like. Not after last season.

Just because I'm floating an unpopular opinion doesn't make it wrong. I very much hope the prevailing opinions are the correct ones.[/QUOTE]

Your opinion is not merely emotional nor is it wrong. I said it is emotional because you speak with authority(which, I appreciate and you are an A+ Cards fan). I said that your response is emotional because it appears that you were frustrated throughout the draft. Nkemdiche did not appear to be a locker room cancer but he didn't appear to know how to be a pro. I have been in locker rooms where guys felt they deserved more or that they were worth more and they can affect several people in varying degrees. TJ was low balled before the season started and was upset at his tender. That stuff carries into the locker room. Swearinger was great for us but I bet he and TJ talked. I don't believe CC was a cancer but I bet he knew he was moving on. That is a difficult locker room when three bigtime contributors are playing for a contract and one of the more passionate players got a low ball tender.

Chad Williams...who knows, small school player with a great athletic skill set and should be motivated to succeed. I wouldn't be surprised if LF takes him under his wing. He wasn't drafted in the first with a hell of a lot of pressure to take over for Fitz...like Floyd was. We'll see what we have there.

Not a criticism but merely an observation. I don't want you to have a coronary over this stuff.

GOOOOOO CARDSSSSSSSSSSSSS

 

[RugbyMuffin]

D+

1st thing of note, my opinion means jack and squat, and jack just left town, so put down the pitch forks and torches.

I stated before the draft that I thought Haason Reddick will be a bust, and still stick to that. The Cardinals could have drafted Malik Hooker.

Budda Baker is a hell of a football player, but to trade up for an undersized hybrid player is ridiculous, not to mention the only thing that the Cardinals have proved about under sized safeties that play near the line of scrimmage, is that they get hurt......a lot. The Cardinals could have stayed at #13 in the second round and picked Quincy Wilson.

Chad Williams............not even going to go there. Kid would have probably been there in the 4th or 5th. But, do not worry the trade down only cost the team a shot at Fabian Moreau, or Cordea Tankersly.

From there, I actually liked most of what got done. Dorian Johnson and Will Holden are two offensive linemen I really liked, the fact Johnson fell is ridiculous and is by far the best value pick the Cardinals got. Evan Boehm has his hands full in regards to battling this kid for a spot this year. Holden will do the redshirt offensive lineman thing that the Cardinals always do, and I think a year of NFL level training is going to make him at worst a backup, and may even get some starting time.

TJ Logan......................meh, I guess this is needed? But doesn't Chad Williams return kicks ? Don't get it. There is no backup for David Johnson on this roster, this is a tweener that with Andre Ellington, and Kerwynn Williams on the roster seems to lack a position, role or need.

Really, really like the Rudy Ford pick. I didn't like Ford as a safety for his size, but taking a flyer on the guy and saying he will be a cornerback is a very good idea, IMO. Good athlete.

I think this was a very deep draft for the secondary, and while I agree you do not draft for need, there are times, like when you complete neglect your cornerback position, that you need to go need.

I feel this is one of those times, and if Baker is INJ half the time, and Chad Williams busts out, this will be one of those drafts we look back at and bemoan who we let go past us.

But, if you want to see what may have been, take a look at the Colts secondary in a few years, because they cleaned up and took advantage of the secondary talent that was available in this draft, and it will pay off for them.