In my opinion and despite their comments to the contrary, the Cards are in a fairly inflexible position going into this draft. They remain very exposed at a couple of positions. First consider the CB situation. The spot across from Peterson has been a revolving door and a continuing weak spot. I just watched a Bethel in the GB game from January 2016. It was one of the worst games by a CB I have seen, let alone seen in a playoff game. He has stiff hips and no ball skills when retreating. He improved slightly at the end of last year but starting him at corner would be an indication of desperation. The Cards must select a CB early enough in this draft to get a starter or this defense will not be able to defend the pass. For too long now teams have continually thrown deep or on third down at this position and enjoyed consistent success. Fortunately for the Cards the CB pool is very deep. Still I don't think the Cards can wait later than their round 2 pick to grab one. It's true there will be some better than normal round 3 options, but that seems an unwise gamble to take.
Turning to the offense, there seems to be a shortage of play-makers for 2017. Floyd is gone and Brown is shaky, leaving Fitz & JJ as the only likely scoring threats. Jaron Brown is only a decent possession receiver. The other options are longshots to make an impact play. Again I see few options other than selecting a receiver. JJ has a history of injury and can't be overused. Fitz is older now and rehabbing can be slower. Take away the passing threat and this team won't reach the playoffs. The WR pool is shallow compared the the CB pool. To get an impact player the Cards must hope one falls to 13, which is no sure thing. Forget Ross, he's too easy to take out of a game. I saw it happen twice this year. Only Davis and Williams have a chance to be first year play-makers. There no sure things but I like the odds. What about Jones and Kupp? Both might be there in round 2 and both have talent. However, they are more likely possession receivers than scoring threats.
So why do I have Foster atop my list. Foster is an impact player at a position that rarely yields impact players. If not for that silly Combine incident the Cards wouldn't have to be considering him, he'd surely be gone before 13. What about Reddick? He's good and if the Cards trade down and the 2 receivers are gone, he's a consideration, but not at 13. If by some miracle Foster is there I'd take the WR injury risk and pick him. He can change this team for 5 years or longer. Yes there's a little concussion risk, but the risk/reward percentages make the selection reasonably safe.
Assuming all 3 of my targets are gone drop down. Get the CB, maybe Ramczyk or Reddick if they drop and grab Jones and a CB in round 2.
Turning to the offense, there seems to be a shortage of play-makers for 2017. Floyd is gone and Brown is shaky, leaving Fitz & JJ as the only likely scoring threats. Jaron Brown is only a decent possession receiver. The other options are longshots to make an impact play. Again I see few options other than selecting a receiver. JJ has a history of injury and can't be overused. Fitz is older now and rehabbing can be slower. Take away the passing threat and this team won't reach the playoffs. The WR pool is shallow compared the the CB pool. To get an impact player the Cards must hope one falls to 13, which is no sure thing. Forget Ross, he's too easy to take out of a game. I saw it happen twice this year. Only Davis and Williams have a chance to be first year play-makers. There no sure things but I like the odds. What about Jones and Kupp? Both might be there in round 2 and both have talent. However, they are more likely possession receivers than scoring threats.
So why do I have Foster atop my list. Foster is an impact player at a position that rarely yields impact players. If not for that silly Combine incident the Cards wouldn't have to be considering him, he'd surely be gone before 13. What about Reddick? He's good and if the Cards trade down and the 2 receivers are gone, he's a consideration, but not at 13. If by some miracle Foster is there I'd take the WR injury risk and pick him. He can change this team for 5 years or longer. Yes there's a little concussion risk, but the risk/reward percentages make the selection reasonably safe.
Assuming all 3 of my targets are gone drop down. Get the CB, maybe Ramczyk or Reddick if they drop and grab Jones and a CB in round 2.
