The Most Interesting Draft in Many Years

[Harry]

Usually when building a mock at this point the first thing you do is to pick the QBs that will go off the top. A few "gurus" are still putting a couple atop their sheet. Most have Trubisky coming off as the first QB, but many don't put that pick in the top 10. Some have Watson going mid-first, others see the Jets grabbing him. With him throwing at the combine, I'm guessing he goes before the Cards pick.

Even the Cards are having trouble sorting this out. I hear they are going back and forth on re-signing Minter. If they do and Foster falls, then they missed a franchise player at a position where those are hard to come by. If they don't and lose Minter and Foster they may be forced to over value another ILB. I'm guessing they play it safe and keep Minter.

I think both Trubisky and Watson are gone when the Cards pick, so when I get around to predicting that pick I'm still likely to think trading down. If they find the right partner they go down to the early 20s and get a bonus late second rounder, which could well be a starting player! That would make for an interesting draft and a game changer.

 

[Harry]

I posted this minutes before Todd McShay posted Foster as the Cards pick, but mentioning the same Minter issue. He has Watson earliest of the QBs at 2.

 

[imaCafan]

After reading your post I randomly looked at 5 mocks. In those mocks, Kizer was first once at #2 and Watson was #3. Trubisky wet #2 with Watson #3 in another. The others Had them in various spots with Trubisky first each time.

 

[Mitch]

After reading your post I randomly looked at 5 mocks. In those mocks, Kizer was first once at #2 and Watson was #3. Trubisky wet #2 with Watson #3 in another. The others Had them in various spots with Trubisky first each time.

Which all changes dramatically if CLE, SF, CHI and the NYJ settle their QB situations via FA or trades before the draft.

 

[Finito]

Foster is not a franchise player he's a good smart LB on the smaller side. Brian Urlacher, Luke Kuechly those guys were freaks of nature franchise linebackers. Ruben Foster isn't in that class now if they draft Foster would I be mad? No he's a solid smart LB my concern is that you get get a guy like Cunningham, Raekwon McCmillian or the kid from temple later.

I honestly think by the time it's all said and done Foster won't be the first linebacker picked. The Alabama defensive players had a bad slide last year

 

[Mitch]

The linebacker who looks like the best overall fit to me is Haasan Reddick of Temple. Super versatile---can play any LB spot in our defense including nickel LB.

 

[Stout]

You can offer Minter a cheap enough contract that, if Foster is there, you still grab him and worry not at all about Minter's deal. If he won't take that deal? Buh-bye. It won't be difficult at all to replace his level of play/production.

 

[MadCardDisease]

The linebacker who looks like the best overall fit to me is Haasan Reddick of Temple. Super versatile---can play any LB spot in our defense including nickel LB.

I really like Reddick if the Cardinals trade out of their first pick to a later pick in the first round. He was awesome during senior bowl week. Was hoping that he would drop to us in the second round but after that performance at the Senior Bowl he is most likely a 1st rounder now.

Plus with BA being a Temple guy there is that connection. So I think Reddick is very much on the Radar. Especially if they move back in the first round.

 

[MadCardDisease]

You can offer Minter a cheap enough contract that, if Foster is there, you still grab him and worry not at all about Minter's deal. If he won't take that deal? Buh-bye. It won't be difficult at all to replace his level of play/production.

I want them to sign Minter, but to a cap friendly deal. Something which would let them cut him after a year an not put them in cap purgatory if they decide to go another direction. There just isn't much out there that the Cardinals can afford at that ILB position this year. I'd hate to enter the draft with a gaping hole at ILB.

 

[Bodha]

The linebacker who looks like the best overall fit to me is Haasan Reddick of Temple. Super versatile---can play any LB spot in our defense including nickel LB.

Thats funny, Ive heard the name Haasan Reddick but didnt know much about him so I googled him....

4th link was his arrest for assault, lol
http://temple-news.com/news/football-players-accept-das-offer-avoid-trial/


The most severe charge against Dawkins and Reddick was aggravated assault, a first-degree felony. Funt said felony assault is the most violent charge before homicide.

“It’s highly unusual for [people with felony charges] to get an ARD offer, but when they go through the program it will not be for a felony, but a misdemeanor,” added Funt, who worked with Reddick’s attorney



...huh, so the star player was offered an out which is generally not offered to people with these charges. Thats weird

 

[JeffGollin]

It is a freaky draft - It wouldn't surprise me if the first 12 picks on some boards were all DB's.

All of which adds up to : Trust your board. Live by it, and don't get too cute (like passing up a future all-pro "because you can always get someone later.").

My gut tells me that more than one team - who plays the percentages - will wind up with a "perfect" set of 7 picks. It's that kind of draft - deep and predictable, quality-wise.

 

[sinsay]

This is the best draft i have seen in years. I have seen 12 to 14 CB that have a chance of starting one day in the NFL. In most drafts CB after RD 1 are career backups.

 

[Mitch]

Harry poses a great question about whether the Cardinals should re-sign Kevin Minter with the chance that Reuben Foster could be available at #13.

My guess is that Minter will be looking for a contract that pays him somewhere close to $3M per year.

If the Cardinals want to wait on Reuben Foster, what they could do is sign Sio Moore to a deal in the range of 1.2M (per year) with incentives---and then---if Foster is off the board---it is quite likely that at least one or more of the following ILBers will be on the board at #45:

Haason Reddick, Temple
Jarrad Davis, Florida
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio St.
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt

At #45 any of these players would be a great pick. All 4 of these guys are potential studs.

Plus, in the 3rd or 4th round I really like Keith Kelsey of Louisville. He's very under-rated, imo.

And let's not forget about Scooby Wright as a two-down ILB, in terms of depth and possible contributions.

 

[Finito]

Super deep defensive draft very light on the offensive side

 

[unseenaz]

Harry poses a great question about whether the Cardinals should re-sign Kevin Minter with the chance that Reuben Foster could be available at #13.

My guess is that Minter will be looking for a contract that pays him somewhere close to $3M per year.

If the Cardinals want to wait on Reuben Foster, what they could do is sign Sio Moore to a deal in the range of 1.2M (per year) with incentives---and then---if Foster is off the board---it is quite likely that at least one or more of the following ILBers will be on the board at #45:

Haason Reddick, Temple
Jarrad Davis, Florida
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio St.
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt

At #45 any of these players would be a great pick. All 4 of these guys are potential studs.

Plus, in the 3rd or 4th round I really like Keith Kelsey of Louisville. He's very under-rated, imo.

And let's not forget about Scooby Wright as a two-down ILB, in terms of depth and possible contributions.

I'm no minter fan, but if this is all he costs it'd be foolish to not bring him back, even if we get foster ect in round 1

 

[BigRedRage]

Usually when building a mock at this point the first thing you do is to pick the QBs that will go off the top. A few "gurus" are still putting a couple atop their sheet. Most have Trubisky coming off as the first QB, but many don't put that pick in the top 10. Some have Watson going mid-first, others see the Jets grabbing him. With him throwing at the combine, I'm guessing he goes before the Cards pick.

Even the Cards are having trouble sorting this out. I hear they are going back and forth on re-signing Minter. If they do and Foster falls, then they missed a franchise player at a position where those are hard to come by. If they don't and lose Minter and Foster they may be forced to over value another ILB. I'm guessing they play it safe and keep Minter.

I think both Trubisky and Watson are gone when the Cards pick, so when I get around to predicting that pick I'm still likely to think trading down. If they find the right partner they go down to the early 20s and get a bonus late second rounder, which could well be a starting player! That would make for an interesting draft and a game changer.

I'll take over valuing another mlb vs over valuing minter.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think you approach FA like you aren't adding players in the draft. You fill a 53 man roster, then go to the draft looking to add talent to your depth chart. If re-signing Minter is going to make you reconsider Rueben Foster at #13 because of the money, you are paying WAY too much for Minter.

 

[Chopper0080]

Here is what illustrates Harry's point

A.
1-Mitch Trubisky
2-Desean Watson
3-DeShone Kizer

vs

1-Cleveland
2-San Francisco
3-Chicago
6-NY Jets
10-Buffalo
12-Cleveland

That is the three top QBs in whatever order, and 6 QB needy teams. It is tough to believe that 2 of these 3 don't get taken in the top 12.

B.
1-Leonard Fournette
2-Dalvin Cook
3-Mike Williams
4-Corey Davis

vs

5-Tennessee
7-LA Chargers
8-Carolina
9-Cincinnati
10-Buffalo

That is five teams who need to add skill position play makers to their roster. 4 of the 5 have an established QB, but need more production. Tough to believe 2 of these 4 skill guys aren't snatched up.

C.
OT-Garett Bolles
DE/LB-Myles Garrett
DE/OLB-Tim Williams
DT/DE-Solomon Thomas
DT/DE-Jonathan Allen
CB-Marshon Lattimore
CB-Sidney Jones
S-Malik Hooker
S-Jamal Adams

All pass rushers, defensive linemen, or top coverage players, and all who grade closely to Rueben Foster, but arguably play more valuable positions.

There is a bunch of talent in this draft. It is all over. Trading back would be a very smart idea. I don't know that teams are going to be willing to give up picks in this draft becasue of the talent. Either way, the Cards are in prime position to fill some holes on the team.

 

[Reign Blood]

Here is what illustrates Harry's point

A.
1-Mitch Trubisky
2-Desean Watson
3-DeShone Kizer

vs

1-Cleveland
2-San Francisco
3-Chicago
6-NY Jets
10-Buffalo
12-Cleveland

That is the three top QBs in whatever order, and 6 QB needy teams. It is tough to believe that 2 of these 3 don't get taken in the top 12.

B.
1-Leonard Fournette
2-Dalvin Cook
3-Mike Williams
4-Corey Davis

vs

5-Tennessee
7-LA Chargers
8-Carolina
9-Cincinnati
10-Buffalo

That is five teams who need to add skill position play makers to their roster. 4 of the 5 have an established QB, but need more production. Tough to believe 2 of these 4 skill guys aren't snatched up.

C.
OT-Garett Bolles
DE/LB-Myles Garrett
DE/OLB-Tim Williams
DT/DE-Solomon Thomas
DT/DE-Jonathan Allen
CB-Marshon Lattimore
CB-Sidney Jones
S-Malik Hooker
S-Jamal Adams

All pass rushers, defensive linemen, or top coverage players, and all who grade closely to Rueben Foster, but arguably play more valuable positions.

There is a bunch of talent in this draft. It is all over. Trading back would be a very smart idea. I don't know that teams are going to be willing to give up picks in this draft becasue of the talent. Either way, the Cards are in prime position to fill some holes on the team.

Can you imagine a Honey/Hooker Safety Combo?

 

[football karma]

If you think R Foster is all that, I dont think you let a Kevin Minter contract stop you from taking him.

 

[football karma]

This draft sets up well for the Cards -

There is depth in the need positions so that if the draft falls where the best player isn't immediate need: OJ Howard, a QB, an edge rusher-- they can take that player and fill the 2nd CB position in round 2.

 

[Finito]

Doesn't minter call the defense?

 

[WildBB]

Can you imagine a Honey/Hooker Safety Combo?

One sexy secondary

 

[Reign Blood]

One sexy secondary

Let's just hope they don't charge very much.