Rating Our Draft

[RugbyMuffin]

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

With all due respect to Mitch, it is not his idea, the Cardinals did it all last year with Golden, Jones, and Okafor, and it was really effective.

If Reddick is half the player the Cardinals think he is, he will be a stand up ILBer in base defense and play Okafor's role in the nickel package.

That is IF he can pull it off. We will see.

 

[Cardiac]

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

Hey Oak, good post but I had to quote it and then put some kind off paragraph breaks so I could read it. Just an FYI and request. Thanks man and again good post.

 

[LittleDavis]

I give this draft an A-:

Reddick- A- due to the position switch but he is a freakish athlete with a great motor and a chip on his shoulder.

Baker- A They wanted this guy and he fills a need after losing two quality Safeties. High energy and motor. Could be a steal.

Williams- B+ I don't question BASK and their evaluation of small school products. J. Brown, DJ, Gunter, Nelson.

Johnson- A+ I wanted him in third. In the fourth he could be a steal and may start this year. This was a horrible OL class and we got the best Guard in the 4th...awesome pick.

Holden- B+ Could start in a couple of years and adds great depth to a young group of O-Line prospects.

Logan- A Dynamic playmaker who shared PT with Elijah Hood...32yds per KO return and the fastest RB. He can also catch. He was drafted exactly where he was graded. I love the way he feels his way through traffic.

Ford- A Another ST possibility with potential to help in the secondary...drafted right where he was graded.

Solid draft!

 

[Mitch]

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.

Yes, and I think the Cardinals' interest in Ford is the reason why they didn't draft a CB in rounds 1-4. I think this was smart given the other needs and the trades they made.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Wonder what they see in him?

He is a great athlete that is very much like a John Wetzel in the fact that while he is a big guy and tall, he gets low, and plays low. I know some are fans of Cole Toner, but the red alarm went off last year when Evan Boehm and Taylor flippin' Boggs started at guard over Toner.

That being said, I am a John Wetzel fan, but he is limited athletically, Holden is a better athlete, and in the same mold. At worst we can have another John Wetzel type player but that is a better athlete.

There is also the impending situation that is the Cardinals could be potentially paying Iupati and Veldheer about 10 million each next year.

 

[PJ1]

Yes, and I think the Cardinals' interest in Ford is the reason why they didn't draft a CB in rounds 1-4. I think this was smart given the other needs and the trades they made.

Mitch, do you really believe the plan was to ignore all the CB talent in this draft because they had a safety at Auburn they were going to convert to CB? ...To call this risky would be the understatement of the year....I still say they sign a vet....

 

[juza76]

Yes, and I think the Cardinals' interest in Ford is the reason why they didn't draft a CB in rounds 1-4. I think this was smart given the other needs and the trades they made.

Dont know why he slided so much in the draft
'versatile, fast, great college, good production

Mitch, do you really believe the plan was to ignore all the CB talent in this draft because they had a safety at Auburn they were going to convert to CB? ...To call this risky would be the understatement of the year....I still say the sign a vet....

Everything is possible since they drafted a rb/cb to play next to p21 last season
But this guy already played at cb, dont know if he can play outside and being sticky with the receiver

 

[Bodha]

Ford pl

ford what?

 

[JeffGollin]

Objective:

- Get QBOF (remains unchecked).

- Get an explosive home run returner, receiver, 3d Down Back (Check - Logan)

- Replace Floyd (Check - Williams)

- Add depth to OL (Check - Johnson may start. Also got Holden)

- Replace Calais (Mmmm. Maybe Bevins will step up)

- Gamebreaking ILB (Checkaroonie - Reddick)

- Find a #2 corner (Unchecked - Ford stlll a work in progress).

- Replace T-Jeff or Swearinger/ Depth behind Tyrann (Check - Buda B).

So Ok, we didn't check off every box with a can't miss player, but we came a lot closer than we're given credit for (& we could get lucky with a few other UDFA's).

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, do you really believe the plan was to ignore all the CB talent in this draft because they had a safety at Auburn they were going to convert to CB? ...To call this risky would be the understatement of the year....I still say they sign a vet....

I think that Rudy Ford was their Plan B, if the draft didn't work their way in terms of taking a CB in Rounds 1-4. As it turns out, with the trades they made, between picks 36 and 98, all of the top rated CBs were taken in record fashion.

It was smart to have a Plan B, because all along it was going to be very difficult to address all the needs early in this draft.

BA&SK, for right or for wrong, are counting on Bethel and Williams and have been from day one of the off-season. Ford is a STs ace who is going to be groomed at CB, and when you think about it, with Bethel now having just this year left on his contract, Ford is going to be counted on to take Bethel's place next year if they don't re-sign him.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I think that Rudy Ford was their Plan B, if the draft didn't work their way in terms of taking a CB in Rounds 1-4. As it turns out, with the trades they made, between picks 36 and 98, all of the top rated CBs were taken in record fashion.

It was smart to have a Plan B, because all along it was going to be very difficult to address all the needs early in this draft.

BA&SK, for right or for wrong, are counting on Bethel and Williams and have been from day one of the off-season. Ford is a STs ace who is going to be groomed at CB, and when you think about it, with Bethel now having just this year left on his contract, Ford is going to be counted on to take Bethel's place next year if they don't re-sign him.

I still say they will sign Jerraud Powers.

That, and I will say that I think the Cardinals got too cute in this draft, meaning they moved around a lot in this draft, and really ended up screwing themselves.

.................or maybe I am just still steamed that our secondary could have had Malik Hooker, and Quincy Wilson in it, lol.

 

[BigRedRage]

I still say they will sign Jerraud Powers.

That, and I will say that I think the Cardinals got too cute in this draft, meaning they moved around a lot in this draft, and really ended up screwing themselves.

.................or maybe I am just still steamed that our secondary could have had Malik Hooker, and Quincy Wilson in it, lol.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/14/jerraud-powers-announces-retirement/

In a lengthy instagram post, Powers said that he still believes he can play at a high level. However, he said “mentally, I’m ready for the next chapter of my life.”

 

[Chopper0080]

I'd give it a B.

We still have a need at CB which should affect the score.

We did not improve our depth at QB, OLB or CB.

We now have quality depth at ILB, and improved our pass rush.

Filled hole at S.

Added young players on the OL.

Added WR depth past next year.

Nice mix of filing immediate need vs depth vs special teams. No real premium positions taken however.

 

[oaken1]

I think that Rudy Ford was their Plan B, if the draft didn't work their way in terms of taking a CB in Rounds 1-4. As it turns out, with the trades they made, between picks 36 and 98, all of the top rated CBs were taken in record fashion.

It was smart to have a Plan B, because all along it was going to be very difficult to address all the needs early in this draft.

BA&SK, for right or for wrong, are counting on Bethel and Williams and have been from day one of the off-season. Ford is a STs ace who is going to be groomed at CB, and when you think about it, with Bethel now having just this year left on his contract, Ford is going to be counted on to take Bethel's place next year if they don't re-sign him.

still got H. Miller too...he is a more natural CB than Williams anyway....IMO between Williams, Miller, Bethel, and Ford we will be okay at #2 in the long run...I wouldn't be against an old fella to keep the spot warm for the first few weeks though

 

[RugbyMuffin]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/14/jerraud-powers-announces-retirement/

In a lengthy instagram post, Powers said that he still believes he can play at a high level. However, he said “mentally, I’m ready for the next chapter of my life.”

Well, then the Cardinals will have to get creative again.

Too bad, so many opportunities in the draft to take care of this situation. Oh well.

 

[Goldfield]

With all due respect to Mitch, it is not his idea, the Cardinals did it all last year with Golden, Jones, and Okafor, and it was really effective.

If Reddick is half the player the Cardinals think he is, he will be a stand up ILBer in base defense and play Okafor's role in the nickel package.

That is IF he can pull it off. We will see.

My point was playing Reddick inside then kicking him outside like you mentioned. I didn't think of him as being able to play both. I saw Mitch mention it.

 

[Mitch]

My point was playing Reddick inside then kicking him outside like you mentioned. I didn't think of him as being able to play both. I saw Mitch mention it.

Even BA calls Reddick a "2 for 1" player.

 

[Camshaft]

It's been 5 years and no qb. I don't want to live through another 2010. 2011, and 2012. I give it a "C".

 

[JeffGollin]

Yes, and I think the Cardinals' interest in Ford is the reason why they didn't draft a CB in rounds 1-4. I think this was smart given the other needs and the trades they made.

Mitch - I'm confused about how a draft prospect works out with a Cardinal player and another trainer well-known to Cardinal coaches during the off-season and then (surprise!) winds up being traded-up for by the Cards in the draft. Wouldn't this be in violation of NFLPA terms in some weird way?

 

[Krangodnzr]

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

I like the Cardinals draft better...Dobbs is not really a legitimate starting QB prospect.

 

[BigRedRage]

It's been 5 years and no qb. I don't want to live through another 2010. 2011, and 2012. I give it a "C".

You dont take a QB when the options suck and dont fix the problems you fear anyway

 

[Goldfield]

It's been 5 years and no qb. I don't want to live through another 2010. 2011, and 2012. I give it a "C".

Why was QB a need while we had Palmer playing at a high level? I don't get the 5 year comment. But it is getting close to find the next one. I think we will trade for a younger veteran

 

[Stout]

You dont take a QB when the options suck and dont fix the problems you fear anyway

Said (not necessarily by you) every goldarn year from here to eternity. If you believe this board, there's NEVER a good QB class with good enough options.

 

[BigRedRage]

Said (not necessarily by you) every goldarn year from here to eternity. If you believe this board, there's NEVER a good QB class with good enough options.

I'm not going by the boards opinions. The top 3 QBs were worth fliers, the rest not IMO. Trading our entire draft to get a top 3 QB or even a 1st from next year like Chicago did would have doomed this season. I agree with the current approach and think we can get a quality vet next year if needed.

Our D just improved. Our OL keeps improving. The groundwork is set for a strong D and punishing running game moving forward, even with a game manager QB we have playoff aspirations moving forward. I have no doubt.

 

[Stout]

I'm not going by the boards opinions. The top 3 QBs were worth fliers, the rest not IMO. Trading our entire draft to get a top 3 QB or even a 1st from next year like Chicago did would have doomed this season. I agree with the current approach and think we can get a quality vet next year if needed.

Our D just improved. Our OL keeps improving. The groundwork is set for a strong D and punishing running game moving forward, even with a game manager QB we have playoff aspirations moving forward. I have no doubt.

#1: Who? You can say you're confident we can get a quality vet next year if needed (and it will be), but that doesn't make it so. I can say my crap is purple and tastes like rainbow sherbet. Will you just blindly believe that and take a taste?

#2: We need more than a game manager QB if we have any ambition of winning anything substantial. It is, without question, a QB-driven league.

#3: Except the current approach has been the approach FOR YEARS. Doing the same thing year after year without yielding results is the definition of insanity. We don't even TRY to address the issue at THE most important position on the team. It's truly galling.

I don't necessarily disagree with you about this year's draft and the QBs available. My problem is that this is a culmination of years of failure and futility by the team.