Chopper0080
2021 - Prove It
Many thing will likely change after FA in regards to the Cardinals draft plans, but as of right now, who would you take with the #13 pick? I have determined 8 players who should be available when the Cardinals pick, fit needs, and could be considered BPA.
David DeCastro - OG - Stanford
-Arguably the best offensive linemen available, DeCatro is strong in all aspects of the game. He can hold at point of attack, is adept at both pulling outside on run plays as well as getting to the second level inside, and is very solid in pass protection. However, we have spent significant money in Daryn Colledge at LG and Rex Hadnot played well at RG. More than that, this is one of the best OG classes in recent history, and the Cardinals could use a later pick and still get a quality player to fill this need.
Jonathan Martin - OT - Stanford
-Martin was a solid OT in college who brings athleticism and solid tools to develop. There are questions about Martin's physicality to play OT, and if he can hold up against NFL pass rushers. Martin has not shown any off-field issues, and being a Stanford player, it can be assummed that he will not be overmatched with the metal aspects of the professional game. With the Cardinals deficiencies protecting the passer and a lack of talent at OT, you would have to expect Martin to start right away.
Mike Adams - OT - Ohio St.
-Adams is a physically gifted athlete who played at a big time program in Ohio St. He has a history of off-field issues, but comes with enough talent to gamble on those issues being resolved as he matures. Adams has the strength to hold up at point of attack in the NFL, but some question if he has the feet to play LT. The Cardinals have needs at both OT positions so they could move Adams to RT if he struggles at the LT position.
Alshon Jeffrey - WR - South Carolina
-Jeffrey is a physical specimen who excelled in college despite lacking a solid passing QB. Jeffrey has all of the tools be become a force at WR, but some question if he has the speed to seperate from the faster CBs in the NFL. Jeffrey comes with some risk as wide receivers sometimes struggle to transition to the NFL, but has enough talent to take a gamble on him in the first round. Jeffrey would bring a physical pressence to the Cardinals WR corp that they have lacked since Boldin was traded, and hopefully would draw coverage away from Fitzgerald to allow him to work deep gainst single coverage more.
Kendall Wright - WR - Baylor
-Wright is arguably the best deep threat in this draft at WR. He displays speed and route running ability to get seperation deep, and has shown the ability to make big plays in college. Wright comes with some risk, like most smaller college wide receivers, as it remains to be seen if he can physically beat press coverage in the NFL or if he will be relegated to the slot. Wright does offer the potential to create "splash" plays for the team that drafts him, and this potential definitely warrants first round consideration. Wright would give the Cardinals a deep threat opposite of Fitzgerald, and would allow Fitzgerald to work more of the complete route tree in any given situation. He would also be expected to hold safeties back, and prevent teams from loading up the box vs. the running game.
Melvin Ingram - OLB/DE - South Carolina
-Ingram was a productive college DE that was able to play various positions on defense. He is short (6'1"), but is stout enough (275) to hold against NFL OTs. There is a question about his ability to consistently play standing up in the 3-4, but Ingram has shown fluidity in LB drills and seems to be natural standing up. Ingram has also shown multiple pass rush moves which has allowed him to be successful getting after the QB. He does lack great speed, but most scouts feel that his quickness and strength are more than enough to make up for it. Ingram would bring size and versatility to the Cardinals defense as he could stand up in the base 3-4 at OLB, and is experienced enough to play DE in nickel packages as well.
Courtney Upshaw - OLB/DE - Alabama
-Upshaw was a vital member of a very good Alabama defense. Like Ingram he lacks height, but has the size to make up for it (6'1" 272). Upshaw uses his physicality to rush the QB, and seemed more effective rushing the passer from a 3 point stance than a 2 point stance at the Senior Bowl. Despite this, Upshaw played OLB in college, so there is less risk in his ability to transition to the position in the NFL. Like Ingram, Upshaw lacks top athleticism, but plays a very physical game. Upshaw would provide the Cardinals with an experienced OLB whose pass rush skills they could develop. He also offers the versatility to play DE in nickel packages.
Nick Perry - OLB/DE - USC
-Maybe the most athletic of the conversion players to go in the first round, Perry has rare burst and athleticism. He is a bit smaller than Upshaw and Ingram, but his quickness could make him an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Perry would have to adjust to playing OLB in the NFL as he played DE for USC under Monte Kiffen. However, he offers the potential as a pass rusher that should be worth the risk. Perry would provide the Cardinals with the premier athlete at OLB that they are lacking, and would be able to bring immediate pass rush skills while the Cardinals worked to develop him as a complete 3-4 OLBer.
There are of course other options, but I view these as the most likely options at this point in time. Vote away.
David DeCastro - OG - Stanford
-Arguably the best offensive linemen available, DeCatro is strong in all aspects of the game. He can hold at point of attack, is adept at both pulling outside on run plays as well as getting to the second level inside, and is very solid in pass protection. However, we have spent significant money in Daryn Colledge at LG and Rex Hadnot played well at RG. More than that, this is one of the best OG classes in recent history, and the Cardinals could use a later pick and still get a quality player to fill this need.
Jonathan Martin - OT - Stanford
-Martin was a solid OT in college who brings athleticism and solid tools to develop. There are questions about Martin's physicality to play OT, and if he can hold up against NFL pass rushers. Martin has not shown any off-field issues, and being a Stanford player, it can be assummed that he will not be overmatched with the metal aspects of the professional game. With the Cardinals deficiencies protecting the passer and a lack of talent at OT, you would have to expect Martin to start right away.
Mike Adams - OT - Ohio St.
-Adams is a physically gifted athlete who played at a big time program in Ohio St. He has a history of off-field issues, but comes with enough talent to gamble on those issues being resolved as he matures. Adams has the strength to hold up at point of attack in the NFL, but some question if he has the feet to play LT. The Cardinals have needs at both OT positions so they could move Adams to RT if he struggles at the LT position.
Alshon Jeffrey - WR - South Carolina
-Jeffrey is a physical specimen who excelled in college despite lacking a solid passing QB. Jeffrey has all of the tools be become a force at WR, but some question if he has the speed to seperate from the faster CBs in the NFL. Jeffrey comes with some risk as wide receivers sometimes struggle to transition to the NFL, but has enough talent to take a gamble on him in the first round. Jeffrey would bring a physical pressence to the Cardinals WR corp that they have lacked since Boldin was traded, and hopefully would draw coverage away from Fitzgerald to allow him to work deep gainst single coverage more.
Kendall Wright - WR - Baylor
-Wright is arguably the best deep threat in this draft at WR. He displays speed and route running ability to get seperation deep, and has shown the ability to make big plays in college. Wright comes with some risk, like most smaller college wide receivers, as it remains to be seen if he can physically beat press coverage in the NFL or if he will be relegated to the slot. Wright does offer the potential to create "splash" plays for the team that drafts him, and this potential definitely warrants first round consideration. Wright would give the Cardinals a deep threat opposite of Fitzgerald, and would allow Fitzgerald to work more of the complete route tree in any given situation. He would also be expected to hold safeties back, and prevent teams from loading up the box vs. the running game.
Melvin Ingram - OLB/DE - South Carolina
-Ingram was a productive college DE that was able to play various positions on defense. He is short (6'1"), but is stout enough (275) to hold against NFL OTs. There is a question about his ability to consistently play standing up in the 3-4, but Ingram has shown fluidity in LB drills and seems to be natural standing up. Ingram has also shown multiple pass rush moves which has allowed him to be successful getting after the QB. He does lack great speed, but most scouts feel that his quickness and strength are more than enough to make up for it. Ingram would bring size and versatility to the Cardinals defense as he could stand up in the base 3-4 at OLB, and is experienced enough to play DE in nickel packages as well.
Courtney Upshaw - OLB/DE - Alabama
-Upshaw was a vital member of a very good Alabama defense. Like Ingram he lacks height, but has the size to make up for it (6'1" 272). Upshaw uses his physicality to rush the QB, and seemed more effective rushing the passer from a 3 point stance than a 2 point stance at the Senior Bowl. Despite this, Upshaw played OLB in college, so there is less risk in his ability to transition to the position in the NFL. Like Ingram, Upshaw lacks top athleticism, but plays a very physical game. Upshaw would provide the Cardinals with an experienced OLB whose pass rush skills they could develop. He also offers the versatility to play DE in nickel packages.
Nick Perry - OLB/DE - USC
-Maybe the most athletic of the conversion players to go in the first round, Perry has rare burst and athleticism. He is a bit smaller than Upshaw and Ingram, but his quickness could make him an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Perry would have to adjust to playing OLB in the NFL as he played DE for USC under Monte Kiffen. However, he offers the potential as a pass rusher that should be worth the risk. Perry would provide the Cardinals with the premier athlete at OLB that they are lacking, and would be able to bring immediate pass rush skills while the Cardinals worked to develop him as a complete 3-4 OLBer.
There are of course other options, but I view these as the most likely options at this point in time. Vote away.
