Chopper0080
2021 - Prove It
I have some thoughts regarding the first round of the upcoming draft that I feel like I needed to get out of my head, so you all get to suffer.
1-The more and more I look at the Cardinals roster, FA, and the draft, I'm thinking they will feel a ton of pressure to move back. Right or wrong, they are going to have an unique opportunity to be at #1, and not needing a QB. Moving back makes a ton of sense if you are reloading a roster...see Colts in 2018 draft. So, where would they move. Most likely, unless Oakland trades Carr, it would be with the Giants or Jags. This means you would have to have 6 prospects that you love to move back. Here would be mine...
1-Nick Bosa-EDGE
2-Quinnen Williams-DL
3-Brian Burns-EDGE
4-Josh Allen-EDGE
5-Ed Oliver-DL
6-Derrick Brown-DL (DISREGARD_WENT BACK TO SCHOOL)
What I see here is a group of defensive players who are talented, but do not really hit an overall team need which is OL. At some point, you have to start looking at ways to add WRs, OL, TEs, LBs, CBs in this draft, and it will be tough without acquiring additional picks.
2-What do we need at the key positions. I classify key positions as OL, QB, EDGE, CB, DT.
QB...is set whether you like or dislike Rosen...so move on.
EDGE...my big issue is that I would argue that we lack a speed rusher more than anything. Chandler Jones is a great player, but he is not a speed rusher from the edge. He is more Demarcus Ware than Von Miller. This is why I value Brian Burns over Josh Allen. Burns offers a speed element off the edge that we lack.
OL...We lack a difference maker on the line. Humphries is ok. I believe Cole is ok. Pugh is ok. What we are missing is someone who is really good. I hate to continue to go back to the Colts, but adding an OG who is a special player improved the entire unit. We need to add a player like that for our line to become significantly better. Our new scheme will help a bit.
CB...we need to add bodies. I understand that talent is important, and a #2 CB is a big need, but more than that, we need to have young, cost-controlled 3rd, 4th, and 5th CBs to develop.
DT...we need to an interior disruptor. I had hoped we would see more of this from Pierre, and maybe we will moving back to a 3-4, but I'm not waiting on it. Nkemdiche was awful in a 3-4 before so I'm also not counting on him. We need a player like Chris Jones of the Chiefs.
3-The other big issue is that we need WRs, TEs, and ILBs, and only ILB has much value in FA. So, we are going to have to address these positions somehow in the draft. The real question is where? Rounds 2 and 3 seem ideal for the WR and TE needs. Both spots should have good players available at those spots, but there is a trade off because you are going to have to move off of either DL, EDGE, or OL to do so.
4-Some of my favorite players heading into the process (not necessarily the best)...
RB-Joshua Jacobs-Alabama
-Not a ton of wear and tear, and he is a grinder with talent.
WR-Riley Ridley-Georgia
-Big WR who is a precise route runner which is how he creates separation. Nice hands. Can be very effective with an accurate QB.
TE-TJ Hockenson-Iowa
-Big, physical TE who can block and be an impact receiver. He is what we all want Gresham to be. Would also enable us to see if RSJ can further develop with a better offense.
OT-David Edwards-Wisconsin
-I think he has a chance to be a LT in the NFL. He played opposite of Ramcyzk, and then they just left him on the right side. Big, raw OT who can play the power game. I think he can be an Anthony Castanzo type OT.
IOL-Chris Lindstrom-Boston College
-He would be an ideal 3rd round pick for me. Tough and physical type player who makes in the NFL. Very solid technique. Not an amazing athlete but definitely good enough for the NFL. He is a plug and play guy for years similar to Mason Cole.
DL-Derrick Brown-Auburn (DISREGARD_WENT BACK TO SCHOOL)
-I like Derrick Brown because I see a lot of Chris Jones in his game. When Brown is playing with best technique, he is a really tough matchup. He doesn't always, and that is why he won't be the first DL off the board. A really long player with the frame to add on some muscle.
EDGE-Brian Burns-Florida St.
-Really good athlete off the edge who bends very easily which leads to sacks in the NFL. An example of a guy who does not bend well is J Clowney and it is a primary reason he has never been a big sack guy. Burns has burst which puts the fear of God into OTs. he would be an awesome compliment to Chandler Jones who is more of a length/counter pass rusher. Also, Burns never seemed to let up even if games where Florida St was getting crushed which counts for something in my book.
LB-Joe Giles-Harris-Duke
-I don't love many LBs outside of the first round guys, but at least Giles-Harris is not a liability in coverage. He goes hard. Seems to be a smart player, and has nice size.
CB-Byron Murphy-Washington
-Technician at CB which I love. Good athlete. A first rounder which is a spot where I don't see us adding a CB.
S-None outside of the first round yet.
1-The more and more I look at the Cardinals roster, FA, and the draft, I'm thinking they will feel a ton of pressure to move back. Right or wrong, they are going to have an unique opportunity to be at #1, and not needing a QB. Moving back makes a ton of sense if you are reloading a roster...see Colts in 2018 draft. So, where would they move. Most likely, unless Oakland trades Carr, it would be with the Giants or Jags. This means you would have to have 6 prospects that you love to move back. Here would be mine...
1-Nick Bosa-EDGE
2-Quinnen Williams-DL
3-Brian Burns-EDGE
4-Josh Allen-EDGE
5-Ed Oliver-DL
6-Derrick Brown-DL (DISREGARD_WENT BACK TO SCHOOL)
What I see here is a group of defensive players who are talented, but do not really hit an overall team need which is OL. At some point, you have to start looking at ways to add WRs, OL, TEs, LBs, CBs in this draft, and it will be tough without acquiring additional picks.
2-What do we need at the key positions. I classify key positions as OL, QB, EDGE, CB, DT.
QB...is set whether you like or dislike Rosen...so move on.
EDGE...my big issue is that I would argue that we lack a speed rusher more than anything. Chandler Jones is a great player, but he is not a speed rusher from the edge. He is more Demarcus Ware than Von Miller. This is why I value Brian Burns over Josh Allen. Burns offers a speed element off the edge that we lack.
OL...We lack a difference maker on the line. Humphries is ok. I believe Cole is ok. Pugh is ok. What we are missing is someone who is really good. I hate to continue to go back to the Colts, but adding an OG who is a special player improved the entire unit. We need to add a player like that for our line to become significantly better. Our new scheme will help a bit.
CB...we need to add bodies. I understand that talent is important, and a #2 CB is a big need, but more than that, we need to have young, cost-controlled 3rd, 4th, and 5th CBs to develop.
DT...we need to an interior disruptor. I had hoped we would see more of this from Pierre, and maybe we will moving back to a 3-4, but I'm not waiting on it. Nkemdiche was awful in a 3-4 before so I'm also not counting on him. We need a player like Chris Jones of the Chiefs.
3-The other big issue is that we need WRs, TEs, and ILBs, and only ILB has much value in FA. So, we are going to have to address these positions somehow in the draft. The real question is where? Rounds 2 and 3 seem ideal for the WR and TE needs. Both spots should have good players available at those spots, but there is a trade off because you are going to have to move off of either DL, EDGE, or OL to do so.
4-Some of my favorite players heading into the process (not necessarily the best)...
RB-Joshua Jacobs-Alabama
-Not a ton of wear and tear, and he is a grinder with talent.
WR-Riley Ridley-Georgia
-Big WR who is a precise route runner which is how he creates separation. Nice hands. Can be very effective with an accurate QB.
TE-TJ Hockenson-Iowa
-Big, physical TE who can block and be an impact receiver. He is what we all want Gresham to be. Would also enable us to see if RSJ can further develop with a better offense.
OT-David Edwards-Wisconsin
-I think he has a chance to be a LT in the NFL. He played opposite of Ramcyzk, and then they just left him on the right side. Big, raw OT who can play the power game. I think he can be an Anthony Castanzo type OT.
IOL-Chris Lindstrom-Boston College
-He would be an ideal 3rd round pick for me. Tough and physical type player who makes in the NFL. Very solid technique. Not an amazing athlete but definitely good enough for the NFL. He is a plug and play guy for years similar to Mason Cole.
DL-Derrick Brown-Auburn (DISREGARD_WENT BACK TO SCHOOL)
-I like Derrick Brown because I see a lot of Chris Jones in his game. When Brown is playing with best technique, he is a really tough matchup. He doesn't always, and that is why he won't be the first DL off the board. A really long player with the frame to add on some muscle.
EDGE-Brian Burns-Florida St.
-Really good athlete off the edge who bends very easily which leads to sacks in the NFL. An example of a guy who does not bend well is J Clowney and it is a primary reason he has never been a big sack guy. Burns has burst which puts the fear of God into OTs. he would be an awesome compliment to Chandler Jones who is more of a length/counter pass rusher. Also, Burns never seemed to let up even if games where Florida St was getting crushed which counts for something in my book.
LB-Joe Giles-Harris-Duke
-I don't love many LBs outside of the first round guys, but at least Giles-Harris is not a liability in coverage. He goes hard. Seems to be a smart player, and has nice size.
CB-Byron Murphy-Washington
-Technician at CB which I love. Good athlete. A first rounder which is a spot where I don't see us adding a CB.
S-None outside of the first round yet.
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