Where we stand before the draft.

[Aikdog]

Currently this is what our positions and current grades look like before the draft:

QB: Leinart/Warner won't be addressed B
WR: Fitz/Boldin/Johnson no more needed A
RB: Edge/Shipp maybe Peterson if available B-
T: Wells/????/Ross/Gandy? we need someone to slide into the second slot. either Thomas or Brown. D +
G: Leutai/Brown/Gandy? we need quality depth here, tons of guard available C+
C: Johnson/Leckey no more here B

DE: Berry/Okafor/Smith? we need quality depth here in the worst way. maybe Adams C+
DT: Clancy/Docket/Watson just don't see any need for a first day pick here. B+
LB: Dansby/Hayes/????/????? we really need some help here both for a starter and a quality backup to move between MLB and OLB, not to mention if we move to a 3-4 set some of the time. C-
CB: Hood/Rolle/Green/???? Hood was a fantastic signing and Rolle should finally show the ability that we drafted him for. Nevertheless you can never have too many quality corners in the NFL. C+
S: Wilson/Holt/Francisco/???? B+

What this should tell us is that if Thomas isn't available at #5 we should do whatever we can to trade down. T is obviously a priority but there is just not anyone worth drafting at #5 other than Thomas. There are too many good DE's this year to pick Gaines or Anderson at #5. Peterson is a difference maker but we simply can't have that many dollars tied into the
RB position for the next 3 years. Landry is awesome, but it's tough to add his dollars into the safety equation as well. Willis is the best LB but it would be reaching to grab him at #5.

We need 2 more second day picks to cover our main weaknesses:
1. OLB starter
2. OT starter
3. DE depth
4. G depth
5. CB depth

We are in luck with DE's and CB's because there are a ton of guys that could be potential starters.

 

[ARZCardinals]

It's a decent overevaluation.

There is no way our Centers of Johnson and Lecky get a grade higher than D+ right now.

 

[overseascardfan]

I think that OT starter outweighs the OLB starter as far as the first round goes.

 

[Skkorpion]

Welcome to the board, aikdog.

 

[Codeofhammurabi]

It's a decent overevaluation.

There is no way our Centers of Johnson and Lecky get a grade higher than D+ right now.

I think Leckey was playing at a C level during the second half of last season.

 

[Scot1]

I agree with a lot of what Aikdog says--very good assessment.

If our center situation is D+, our OT situation is F--at any rate, I'd say D+ for OTs may be high. I'd call the center grade about a C+, since we can survive with Leckey and Johnson is maybe better.

At LB, we need to resign Darling (I don't think we did yet--??), and we have Johnson/Beisel/...Blackstock--I don't agree that we're a third of a grade away from the OT situation at LB.

Let us all pray for Thomas. Either way, I would take about 3 OTs in the draft.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I agree with a lot of what Aikdog says--very good assessment.

If our center situation is D+, our OT situation is F--at any rate, I'd say D+ for OTs may be high. I'd call the center grade about a C+, since we can survive with Leckey and Johnson is maybe better.

At LB, we need to resign Darling (I don't think we did yet--??), and we have Johnson/Beisel/...Blackstock--I don't agree that we're a third of a grade away from the OT situation at LB.

Let us all pray for Thomas. Either way, I would take about 3 OTs in the draft.

I am with this guy all the way.

 

[Goldfield]

It's a decent overevaluation.

There is no way our Centers of Johnson and Lecky get a grade higher than D+ right now.

I disagree, Lecky is alot better than he gets credit for.

As for Johnson I dont know but he must be at the very least a real good backup. I would give that group at least a B-

 

[Goldfield]

DT: Clancy/Docket/Watson just don't see any need for a first day pick here. B+

Clancy is solid vs the run.

Watson has shown flashes of being pretty good but not sold on him yet.


Docket has been very up & down. He looks great at times then he looks bad at others.

There are no standout studs in the group, I would give them a lower grade. Maybe a C if that IMO. But there is descent depth for once.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Clancy is solid vs the run.

Watson has shown flashes of being pretty good but not sold on him yet.


Docket has been very up & down. He looks great at times then he looks bad at others.

There are no standout studs in the group, I would give them a lower grade. Maybe a C if that IMO. But there is descent depth for once.

Yeah, I agree with that one.

While a lot of our starters aren't superstars I do think that our depth has improved in a lot of areas. We are solid at center and dt and I am content with the depth at guard. We have a great wr group. The rb play should be fine and we have one of the best back up qbs in the game imo. We have depth at tackle, we just dont have any capable starters.

I think we need two tackles, two lbs, a corner/safety and a blocking te in the draft.

 

[arthurracoon]

 

[Mainstreet]

Currently this is what our positions and current grades look like before the draft:

QB: Leinart/Warner won't be addressed B
WR: Fitz/Boldin/Johnson no more needed A
RB: Edge/Shipp maybe Peterson if available B-
T: Wells/????/Ross/Gandy? we need someone to slide into the second slot. either Thomas or Brown. D +
G: Leutai/Brown/Gandy? we need quality depth here, tons of guard available C+
C: Johnson/Leckey no more here B

DE: Berry/Okafor/Smith? we need quality depth here in the worst way. maybe Adams C+
DT: Clancy/Docket/Watson just don't see any need for a first day pick here. B+
LB: Dansby/Hayes/????/????? we really need some help here both for a starter and a quality backup to move between MLB and OLB, not to mention if we move to a 3-4 set some of the time. C-
CB: Hood/Rolle/Green/???? Hood was a fantastic signing and Rolle should finally show the ability that we drafted him for. Nevertheless you can never have too many quality corners in the NFL. C+
S: Wilson/Holt/Francisco/???? B+

What this should tell us is that if Thomas isn't available at #5 we should do whatever we can to trade down. T is obviously a priority but there is just not anyone worth drafting at #5 other than Thomas. There are too many good DE's this year to pick Gaines or Anderson at #5. Peterson is a difference maker but we simply can't have that many dollars tied into the
RB position for the next 3 years. Landry is awesome, but it's tough to add his dollars into the safety equation as well. Willis is the best LB but it would be reaching to grab him at #5.

We need 2 more second day picks to cover our main weaknesses:
1. OLB starter
2. OT starter
3. DE depth
4. G depth
5. CB depth

We are in luck with DE's and CB's because there are a ton of guys that could be potential starters.

I compliment you on the clarity of your assessment of the Cardinals needs and how you presented it. I don't know how the Cardinals will draft if Thomas is not there (I would think about trading down), but BPA seems to be a good strategy in any draft.

 

[Skkorpion]

I disagree, Lecky is alot better than he gets credit for.

As for Johnson I dont know but he must be at the very least a real good backup. I would give that group at least a B-

I agree completely. Leckey will be with us for a long time, barring injury.

 

[Second Deck]

I to thought Lecky was much better than Step. He was constantly getting on his second block and not getting knocked into the backfield. To bad Denny took so long to make the change.

I still think we have to stay at 5 and if Thomas is not there take AP. I think he is one of a kind.

 

[phillycard]

Aikdog, I'll reiterate my stance on the Hood signing again as you're new. I may be the only one here who is not particularly impressed with Rod Hood. I witnessed enough eagle games to see all I needed to see. (Check his play in the N.O. playoff game) eagle hate aside, I hope I am wrong, but he's a depth signing the way I see it. Clearly not that much better than D Mack. Otherwise I like your assesment.

 

[Goldfield]

I to thought Lecky was much better than Step. He was constantly getting on his second block and not getting knocked into the backfield. To bad Denny took so long to make the change.

I still think we have to stay at 5 and if Thomas is not there take AP. I think he is one of a kind.

I agree with both.