Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
I think the Dline is the hardest unit to evaluate. Injuries, stunts and mixing in new personnel have made cohesion almost impossible. Looking inside first, the Cards need a true anchor tackle. However, they also need to collapse the pocket. The Cards outside rushers will become far more effective if the QB can’t simply step up if pressured. Naquan Jones is a free agent. He hasn’t been terrible, but he also hasn’t been special. The Cards must do better. Move on. Bilal Nichols was essentially injured all season. Since he was signed to a multiyear contract, I assume he stays. He’s solid, not special. He’ll get a chance to prove me wrong. Ray Lopez likely stays as a backup. He been solid enough to be a backup and did show improvement. Tonga has been okay against the run but provides no penetration pressure. Move on.
Turning to the outside, several sites have the Cards letting Collier walk. Once thought to be a potential impact player he hasn’t been able to shake off nagging injuries. Nonetheless I thought he played better this season which might mean better things are ahead. He looks okay to me as a veteran backup. I guess Collins stays looking at his contract. Clearly the Cards value him more than I do. Fine athlete but limited production. Dante Stills is an excellent bargain who may well not have hit his ceiling. Benton Whitney is a non-factor. Move on. Victor Dimukeje (Cards have him as an LB) flashed occasionally but more often was a non-entity. If they can’t sign better; practice squad if possible.
Just like Nichols, Justin Jones was injured all year. Again the Cards investment indicates they hold a high opinion. My fear is the Cards believe he is the impact player they desperately need. Jones was durable and seemed to be improving his pass rushing skills before he was signed. He could likely have helped the Cards but I don’t see him as a major difference maker. He does figure to be a decent rotation player. If the Cards move Robinson inside on 3rd down he figures to see plenty of action.
That leaves the issue of Darius Robinson. Cards fans looked to Robinson as a savior. Also the Cards’ coaches seemed to trumpet him at every opportunity. The problem is he went late first round because he isn’t a finished product. Robinson simply lacks sophisticated rush moves. He needs to greatly improve his assortment. He’s mostly a throw your blocker aside guy. If that fails he can become stalemated. He has ability and should develop but he needs good players around him to excel. He can’t thrive as the center of attention at this point. Robinson has the strength to play inside on passing downs, but again needs to hone his skills. While not fast he would seem to prosper more on the outside.
If the Cards get the inside impact player they need this could be a solid line. Collier or Stills on one side and Jones on the other for third down. Consider Robinson and the addition in the middle. This figures to be an effective 3rd down alignment. If the Cards get that anchor who can also collapse the pocket, the defense will take a huge leap forward.
Turning to the outside, several sites have the Cards letting Collier walk. Once thought to be a potential impact player he hasn’t been able to shake off nagging injuries. Nonetheless I thought he played better this season which might mean better things are ahead. He looks okay to me as a veteran backup. I guess Collins stays looking at his contract. Clearly the Cards value him more than I do. Fine athlete but limited production. Dante Stills is an excellent bargain who may well not have hit his ceiling. Benton Whitney is a non-factor. Move on. Victor Dimukeje (Cards have him as an LB) flashed occasionally but more often was a non-entity. If they can’t sign better; practice squad if possible.
Just like Nichols, Justin Jones was injured all year. Again the Cards investment indicates they hold a high opinion. My fear is the Cards believe he is the impact player they desperately need. Jones was durable and seemed to be improving his pass rushing skills before he was signed. He could likely have helped the Cards but I don’t see him as a major difference maker. He does figure to be a decent rotation player. If the Cards move Robinson inside on 3rd down he figures to see plenty of action.
That leaves the issue of Darius Robinson. Cards fans looked to Robinson as a savior. Also the Cards’ coaches seemed to trumpet him at every opportunity. The problem is he went late first round because he isn’t a finished product. Robinson simply lacks sophisticated rush moves. He needs to greatly improve his assortment. He’s mostly a throw your blocker aside guy. If that fails he can become stalemated. He has ability and should develop but he needs good players around him to excel. He can’t thrive as the center of attention at this point. Robinson has the strength to play inside on passing downs, but again needs to hone his skills. While not fast he would seem to prosper more on the outside.
If the Cards get the inside impact player they need this could be a solid line. Collier or Stills on one side and Jones on the other for third down. Consider Robinson and the addition in the middle. This figures to be an effective 3rd down alignment. If the Cards get that anchor who can also collapse the pocket, the defense will take a huge leap forward.
