Ten thoughts - day three

[Gandhi]

1 – Back in January I heard former longtime general manager Rick Spielman absolutely rave about Cody Simon. Especially highlighting how play-intelligent he is, and how he can be kind of a DC on the field.

2 – Forgive me for mentioning it once again, but I wanted stars from this draft. Cardinals have enough good players, but only a few that truly stand out. Optimistically, I can see three contributors from day three, with especially Denzel Burke having a shot at being a great pick.

3 – Honestly, I don’t know much about Hayden Connor and Kitan Crawford, but from what I have read from Longhorn-fans, it seems like very good picks.

4 – Speaking of offensive linemen, it does excite me that they have signed OT Josh Fryer after the draft. I must admit that I have not paid much attention to him when watching Ohio State-players, but you don’t play close to 2000 snaps on that unit if you are not good. Nobody knows his game strengths more than Justin Frye, and they have evaluated him so good that they gave him the third biggest UDFA-contract of anyone this year. As a developmental taking-a-chance case, that one seems reasonable.

5 – I would have drafted NT Elijah Simmons over both Connor and Crawford, so I am very excited that they were able to sign him as an UDFA. I truly think he has a shot of making the final roster.

6 – I would have liked a WR at some point. Both Jalen Royals and Jaylin Lane made more sense to me than Cody Simon, and later it was a bit strange to me that they traded back when KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tory Horton were both available. Now, it is always fun when the Cards are on the clock, so in that regard it was nice that they got an extra pick, but that one was still a little confusing to me. However, it looks like they are also only bringing in one receiver as a UDFA (albeit at the 6th biggest UDFA contract in the NFL), so I guess they don’t see much of a need there.

7 – Imagine if Will Johnson and Denzel Burke lives up to their potential. That’s two fantastic cornerbacks right there.

8 – I think it is fair to have expectations for Kitan Crawford. As I mentioned, Texas-fans talk positively about him, but you can also just read about his special team achievements. Potential defensively and a great special teamer immediately? Sounds like an optimal late round pick to me.

9 – Bull**** when Ossenfort say again and again that they didn’t focus on defense, but that it was just the way the board fell. Clearly it was a massive focus.

10 – To me, day three signaled that they will look for a couple of players on the veteran free agency-market (Will Hernandez and Amari Cooper comes to mind).

 

[Goldfield]

I think we improved greatly. I also think it’s odd we didn’t add a Wr like Royals.

 

[Zeno]

I think we improved greatly. I also think it’s odd we didn’t add a Wr like Royals.

I am guessing the Cardinals didn’t think any of those late round WRs were better than the 2 rookie WRs from last year that are coming back with a training camp and full year of NFL practice under their belts. Remember Xavier Weaver was a priority UDFA that made the roster and Tejhuan Palmer was a late round pick. That’s just my guess though.

 

[Goldfield]

I am guessing the Cardinals didn’t think any of those late round WRs were better than the 2 rookie WRs from last year that are coming back with a training camp and full year of NFL practice under their belts. Remember Xavier Weaver was a priority UDFA that made the roster and Tejhuan Palmer was a late round pick. That’s just my guess though.

Or were trading for Tyreek Hill?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

9 – Bull**** when Ossenfort say again and again that they didn’t focus on defense, but that it was just the way the board fell. Clearly it was a massive focus.

Yeah, I was pretty miffed by that too. I mean it is possible to flip a coin but have it come up heads 6 out of 7, but the probability is about 5%. (I'm not interested in factoring in how many defensive players vs offensive players might have been on his board since there really isn't a way of knowing)

It's totally okay that you (and most of the world) thought that the defense needed the most influx of talent. That shouldn't be a slight on the offensive or hell, the defensive players already on the roster.

I'm not sure I fully trust someone who has a 'board' that has no room for wiggle room, especially when you consider the players that you have already drafted... Nobody believes that he would have drafted 7 QBs if those where the 7 BPA at the time...

 

[Goldfield]

Not sure I’d get miffed over it

 

[slanidrac16]

Color me jaded but so many have the rose colored glasses, not just here, but around the league.
If a first round slides down to the middle of the second round it has to concern your “ positive confidence” at least a little.
We talk about our 3rd round pick like he is the steal of the draft.
We need the free agents to really step up for this defense to make strides. We also need Robinson to perform like a first pick too.
Other than Nolan I don’t see any of these picks being major contributors in 2025. We have to hope the 2024 draft choices really blosssom.

 

[Goldfield]

Color me jaded but so many have the rose colored glasses, not just here, but around the league.
If a first round slides down to the middle of the second round it has to concern your “ positive confidence” at least a little.
We talk about our 3rd round pick like he is the steal of the draft.
We need the free agents to really step up for this defense to make strides. We also need Robinson to perform like a first pick too.
Other than Nolan I don’t see any of these picks being major contributors in 2025. We have to hope the 2024 draft choices really blosssom.

Jaded my friend

 

[Shane]

Jaded my friend

He’s just angry. He’s been posting angry for the last two or three months. Lol and it’s still showing.

 

[Solar7]

Color me jaded but so many have the rose colored glasses, not just here, but around the league.
If a first round slides down to the middle of the second round it has to concern your “ positive confidence” at least a little.
We talk about our 3rd round pick like he is the steal of the draft.
We need the free agents to really step up for this defense to make strides. We also need Robinson to perform like a first pick too.
Other than Nolan I don’t see any of these picks being major contributors in 2025. We have to hope the 2024 draft choices really blosssom.

From the king of being jaded with this team, this is a little too negative. You have to take some risks. I think Johnson's going to be awesome, although he might not last 15 years here... but who does?

If you want to be frustrated with picking the same positions over and over, I get that... but I don't get being frustrated with the Johnson pick. This team needs stars, not middling contributors at this point.

I have hope our coaching staff can develop people with great athleticism.

 

[JosiahLee]

1 – Back in January I heard former longtime general manager Rick Spielman absolutely rave about Cody Simon. Especially highlighting how play-intelligent he is, and how he can be kind of a DC on the field.

2 – Forgive me for mentioning it once again, but I wanted stars from this draft. Cardinals have enough good players, but only a few that truly stand out. Optimistically, I can see three contributors from day three, with especially Denzel Burke having a shot at being a great pick.

3 – Honestly, I don’t know much about Hayden Connor and Kitan Crawford, but from what I have read from Longhorn-fans, it seems like very good picks.

4 – Speaking of offensive linemen, it does excite me that they have signed OT Josh Fryer after the draft. I must admit that I have not paid much attention to him when watching Ohio State-players, but you don’t play close to 2000 snaps on that unit if you are not good. Nobody knows his game strengths more than Justin Frye, and they have evaluated him so good that they gave him the third biggest UDFA-contract of anyone this year. As a developmental taking-a-chance case, that one seems reasonable.

5 – I would have drafted NT Elijah Simmons over both Connor and Crawford, so I am very excited that they were able to sign him as an UDFA. I truly think he has a shot of making the final roster.

6 – I would have liked a WR at some point. Both Jalen Royals and Jaylin Lane made more sense to me than Cody Simon, and later it was a bit strange to me that they traded back when KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tory Horton were both available. Now, it is always fun when the Cards are on the clock, so in that regard it was nice that they got an extra pick, but that one was still a little confusing to me. However, it looks like they are also only bringing in one receiver as a UDFA (albeit at the 6th biggest UDFA contract in the NFL), so I guess they don’t see much of a need there.

7 – Imagine if Will Johnson and Denzel Burke lives up to their potential. That’s two fantastic cornerbacks right there.

8 – I think it is fair to have expectations for Kitan Crawford. As I mentioned, Texas-fans talk positively about him, but you can also just read about his special team achievements. Potential defensively and a great special teamer immediately? Sounds like an optimal late round pick to me.

9 – Bull**** when Ossenfort say again and again that they didn’t focus on defense, but that it was just the way the board fell. Clearly it was a massive focus.

10 – To me, day three signaled that they will look for a couple of players on the veteran free agency-market (Will Hernandez and Amari Cooper comes to mind).

I’m with you on #9. I mean I’m glad he went all in on defense but he’s definitely lying about that lol

Kind of like how he says they don’t target kids from Ohio State, also a lie. They very much value guys who have great RAS score, who make their top 30 visits, who play at big schools and ideally in championship games.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think Simon has a better chance to have an impact than Burke. I am still trying to figure out how Burke makes the roster.

I am more lukewarm on the draft though I like it. Will Johnson is another injury pick who will need to show he can stay healthy.

Burch is an interesting guy for sure.

I think Monti was incorrect in trading back. I don’t think any of the picks after Simon make the roster. We will see.

 

[BACH]

9 – Bull**** when Ossenfort say again and again that they didn’t focus on defense, but that it was just the way the board fell. Clearly it was a massive focus.

10 – To me, day three signaled that they will look for a couple of players on the veteran free agency-market (Will Hernandez and Amari Cooper comes to mind).

Technically, it could be true. If the include need in the overall ranking

Yeah. Expect Hernandez to be added.

 

[BirdGangThing]

9 – Bull**** when Ossenfort say again and again that they didn’t focus on defense, but that it was just the way the board fell. Clearly it was a massive focus.

i agree aside from our first two picks - even if monti wanted to go o-line the talent was gone at 16 - and will johnson in the middle of the second round forgetaboutit

but the rest of the picks after that were business decisions imo - he could've gone other directions but kept going defense

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

#9. I call ******** on what Monti said also lol. I said in another thread how I believe they're copying the Eagles strategy, after all, JG built that defense. I think Monti & JG watched how the Eagles DL just came after Mahomes time & time again & said to one another "we're building this defense first".

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I think Simon has a better chance to have an impact than Burke. I am still trying to figure out how Burke makes the roster.

I am more lukewarm on the draft though I like it. Will Johnson is another injury pick who will need to show he can stay healthy.

Burch is an interesting guy for sure.

I think Monti was incorrect in trading back. I don’t think any of the picks after Simon make the roster. We will see.

I'm with you on trading back and I said so in the draft thread

No reason for it and he passed on some players with some upside like Mbow OL and other positions needed like WR

Burke is a strange pick as we have a crowded CB room already and he really doesn't stand out that much

I posted in the draft thread about moving down in the later rounds and how it dilutes the chances to make the team

 

[Krangodnzr]

I think Simon has a better chance to have an impact than Burke. I am still trying to figure out how Burke makes the roster.

Agreed on this.

I did a little exercise and if the Cardinals do keep six it might look something like this if Burke sticks:

SMB, Melton, Johnson, Williams, Jones, Burke.

IF you keep five, then SMB goes since, and the group gets a little too young. I don't think they're cutting Jones after one season. This is why Burke doesn't quite make sense

I am more lukewarm on the draft though I like it. Will Johnson is another injury pick who will need to show he can stay healthy.

I think you do have to swing for the fences every once in a while and from what I'm reading, Johnson has essentially been cleared.

Burch is an interesting guy for sure.

I love that he offers clear scheme versatility. You could roll out a true 4-3 with him at weakside end and Robinson at strong side. And you have players to rotate and keep everyone fresh.

I think Monti was incorrect in trading back. I don’t think any of the picks after Simon make the roster. We will see.

I think Crawford has a good shot because he is supposedly a great teamer. Blount is an awesome teamer for sure, but I don't think you can trust him to actually play safety.

 

[Krangodnzr]

@Gandhi when I ran through my mock simulations, I consistently found myself taking a LB in the fourth round. Simon wasn't my primary focus because of my biases, but he sounds like a guy who can stick and potentially start at some point.

 

[Chopper0080]

Agreed on this.

I did a little exercise and if the Cardinals do keep six it might look something like this if Burke sticks:

SMB, Melton, Johnson, Williams, Jones, Burke.

IF you keep five, then SMB goes since, and the group gets a little too young. I don't think they're cutting Jones after one season. This is why Burke doesn't quite make sense

I think you do have to swing for the fences every once in a while and from what I'm reading, Johnson has essentially been cleared.

I love that he offers clear scheme versatility. You could roll out a true 4-3 with him at weakside end and Robinson at strong side. And you have players to rotate and keep everyone fresh.

I think Crawford has a good shot because he is supposedly a great teamer. Blount is an awesome teamer for sure, but I don't think you can trust him to actually play safety.

The problem for Crawford is the log jam for spots at CB and a the defensive front. This team likes to trust vets on special teams so I don't know that he beats Blount out. I could see him as a PS stash for the year and then the Cards make the transition next year. That said, 7th round players should probably have to do this on good rosters so I am not sweating it too much.

As I said, my biggest gripes are trading down and the drafting Burke.

(I have a tough time seeing #2 CB STV just getting cut...but we will see)

 

[Totally_Red]

I think Simon has a better chance to have an impact than Burke. I am still trying to figure out how Burke makes the roster.

I am more lukewarm on the draft though I like it. Will Johnson is another injury pick who will need to show he can stay healthy.

Burch is an interesting guy for sure.

I think Monti was incorrect in trading back. I don’t think any of the picks after Simon make the roster. We will see.

Crawford absolutely could make the 53 as an elite special teamer and developmental safety. He is just very raw. At worst he is on the practice squad to start and gets elevated if any DB goes on IR.

 

[Chopper0080]

Crawford absolutely could make the 53 as an elite special teamer and developmental safety. He is just very raw. At worst he is on the practice squad to start and gets elevated if any DB goes on IR.

As I said, I don't see the Cardinals carrying 5 safeties and I think it may be a stretch to think he is beating out JOey Blount who is a good enough special teamer that they gave him a two year deal. 1.7 and 2 mil, respectively.

 

[Harry]

Or were trading for Tyreek Hill?

Hard to picture

 

[CardNots]

I think Monti was incorrect in trading back. I don’t think any of the picks after Simon make the roster. We will see.

It will give us a good indication of what we already hold on both the roster and practice squad

or the organization’s ability to identify talent.

or simply employing a technique used by corporations who churn the bottom 20 percent regardless of their current perceived value to the organization.

 

[Gandhi]

I am guessing the Cardinals didn’t think any of those late round WRs were better than the 2 rookie WRs from last year that are coming back with a training camp and full year of NFL practice under their belts. Remember Xavier Weaver was a priority UDFA that made the roster and Tejhuan Palmer was a late round pick. That’s just my guess though.

I think you are spot on, Zeno. Maybe they want Zay Jones to have a bigger role. I also remember that Ossenfort said last year that they had almost similar grades on their late picks and the UDFA guys. Considering they gave WR Bryson Green one of the biggest UDFA contracts across the NFL to attract him, they might have had him ranked close to both Connor and Crawford.

 

[Gandhi]

I did a little exercise and if the Cardinals do keep six it might look something like this if Burke sticks:

SMB, Melton, Johnson, Williams, Jones, Burke.

IF you keep five, then SMB goes since, and the group gets a little too young. I don't think they're cutting Jones after one season. This is why Burke doesn't quite make sense

Burke might have been by far their highest ranked player at that point. Hell, he could have been the highest ranked at their original pick, but because they had already selected Johnson, they decided to trade back, only to see him still on the board. We don’t know, but that in itself would justify the pick.

Also, don’t sleep on him (or Elijah Jones) possibly being moved to safety.