Will there be a Chris Johnson in this year's draft

[Timm Rosenbach]

I remember when this kid ran a 4.2 at the combine and shot up the draft charts. I also remember us bringing both he and Jonathon Stewart in right before the draft as we were highly interested in both.

Stewart didnt fall to us, but Johnson slipped to Tennessee at the 24th pick.

I am salavating over the thought of a 1-2 punch of Hightower and a Johnson-type speed back (as well as addition by subtraction with unloading the selfish, delusional egomaniac Edge) and I was wondering if there will be a comparable player in this year's draft.

The only comparison I have seen is CJ Spiller: Anyone seen enough of CJ or anybody similar to provide insight?

 

[Unsterblich856]

I wouldn't call Johnson slipping at 24th. I was damn sure he was going to be a mid-2nd rounder, and that we would've picked him up. I focused all my attention on Chris Johnson pre-draft and yelled out every obscenity I knew when he was selected by the Titans in the 1st. I guess the silver lining is we got Calais Campbell out of it.

As for the upcoming draft, CJ Spiller is the only one I can think of if he enters.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I don't think the Cards considered Johnson. It was reported somehwere that we did conisder Felix Jones though. With the success of those 2 this year, any speed back will be in demand because the NFL is a copycat league.

 

[JerkFace]

LeSean McCoy?

 

[football karma]

pre draft -- and I think this was either Somers, Urban or somebody--

the Cardinals really liked both Johnson and Felix Jones.

I beleive that it was somewhat of an accepted premise around here that with all the backs in the draft, and given that backs tend to drop -- there was a decent chance that Johnson would have been there in round 2

 

[DoTheDew]

IMO this is a bad draft for RBs. However, if you want a Chris Johnson type, I'd suggest looking into Javon Ringer from Michigan State.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

IMO this is a bad draft for RBs. However, if you want a Chris Johnson type, I'd suggest looking into Javon Ringer from Michigan State.

That's not a good comparison. Ringer isn't a burner by any means and he has injuries in his past. I compare Ringer more to Mike Hart. From what i've seen, the most explosive back that may be in the draft is Knowshon Moreno. I'm sure there's a guy from a smaller college that is a burner and is just a blip on the radar right now.

 

[bg7brd]

I can see us taking Knowshon Moreno with our first pick. Personally I think we need to go defense but if we cut Edge we'll need another back.

 

[Brewster10]

Moreno or Spiller would be the best options if we want to take a RB with our likely 20-25 pick..

Moreno isnt a burner but he's a special back with his vision, balance, one cut ability, and toughness..

Him and HIghtower would be tremenous..

Spiller and Hightower would be the poor mans Marion Barber/Felix Jones..

Maybe another back will emerge, but i dont see anyone on the radar and after Beanie Wells, Moreno, and Spiller.. i think the backs drop off substantially...

Cards probably should consider snatching one of these guys (probably Spiller, based on where we pick).. and then focusing on defense (pass rusher, FS) during the rest of Day 1..

Also, if they cant get one of those guys... Jeremy Maclin and Percy Harvin are hybrid types who could bring a ton of speed and ability.. and could be run out of creative formations..

Edit: I suppose I should include McCoy as well.. ive been disappointed with him this yr, but he's certainly got the skillset to be a first rounder

 

[Matt L]

I think this past season has really been the year of the rookie running back. There have been a lot of teams who were able to draft an impact player across rounds one through five. Matt Forte was a third rounder, I can't remember where Steve Slaton went, Kevin Smith in Detroit looked really good in preseason but I haven't seen him play this season. Johnathan Stewart and Felix Jones have obviously had their impacts. Of course Tim Hightower leads rookie runningbacks in the TD category.

As far as draft goes if we are picking after #20, I think there are a number of directions we can go to find a playmaker. We can still use more OLBs, we can use more CBs if Eric Green leaves inf free agency. Obviously a Free Safety could be the pick. I don't know about Rolle's contract situation but I have a feeling he has only one or two years left.

On the offensive side of the ball a speed runningback would be perfect but there are other holes that could be filled. I am not sold on Leonard Pope or Ben Patrick. I was listening to a guy on the radio speak about how great it is to have a Daniel Graham type tight end, A guy who can actually catch and block as opposed to just having one or the other. The line can always use some players, like anyone who can get some sort of push. I know Sendlein gets alot of love on this board but if we are drafting late in the first and there is a good center there I wouldn't be opposed to picking him.

I don't watch enough college football to know of players but the only positions I would rule out of drafting in the first three rounds are WR and SS.

 

[Brewster10]

Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma would be the all around TE your are referring too..

Personally, I can live with Patrick and Pope.

If we're picking around that 20 spot.. right now i like, in order:

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Brian Orakpo, OLB (3-4), Texas
William Moore, FS, Missouri
Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri
CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
Percy Harvin, WR/RB, Florida

Dont ask me what I'd do with Maclin or Harvin.. they arent really need guys, but they are exceptional talents, who would add that big play ability, that we seem to be searching for in this discussion of "take it to the house" running backs.. We seem to be pretty creative on offense, so I think both Maclin and Harvin could be incorporated well into our offense

 

[BACH]

I don't think the Cards considered Johnson. It was reported somehwere that we did conisder Felix Jones though. With the success of those 2 this year, any speed back will be in demand because the NFL is a copycat league.

Yeah, wasn't it reported that the choice was between DRC and Felix Jones.

Regardless of the players performance so far, Graves made the right choice. A top CB is much harder to find than a top RB.

 

[cgolden]

Speed Backs to consider if you don't want to use a real early pick:

Devin Moore (5'9 190) Wyoming - forty time anywhere from 4.27 to 4.4
- He's also an accomplished kick returner with a 4th round grade
Marcus Thigpen (5'8 198) Indiana - forty time anywhere from 4.34 to 4.4
- He's also a kick returner and could be available even later than the 4th

 

[football karma]

Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma would be the all around TE your are referring too..

Personally, I can live with Patrick and Pope.

If we're picking around that 20 spot.. right now i like, in order:

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Brian Orakpo, OLB (3-4), Texas
William Moore, FS, Missouri
Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri
CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
Percy Harvin, WR/RB, Florida

Dont ask me what I'd do with Maclin or Harvin.. they arent really need guys, but they are exceptional talents, who would add that big play ability, that we seem to be searching for in this discussion of "take it to the house" running backs.. We seem to be pretty creative on offense, so I think both Maclin and Harvin could be incorporated well into our offense

fwiw--

Moreno is likely to be long gone before the 20's

William Moore is a strong safety, not a free safety.

I beleive Maclin is a true sophomore, thus not eligible for the draft

 

[cgolden]

fwiw--

Moreno is likely to be long gone before the 20's

William Moore is a strong safety, not a free safety.

I beleive Maclin is a true sophomore, thus not eligible for the draft

No Moore is a FS.

 

[Pariah]

Moreno is likely to be long gone before the 20's

Most definitely.

 

[Brewster10]

Most definitely.

Yea he probably will be gone.. but in mocks he's still going in the 18-24 range.. with alot of mocks having us taking him.. so he's worth discussing.. but i think come draft day he likely will go middle first round..

William Moore projects at FS

And Maclin is definately eligible..

 

[CT Card Fan]

What about Derrick Williams from Penn State? He's a WR, but they use him out of the backfield frequently just to get him some touches. If you want a home run threat to compliment Hightower as the every down back, he might be able to do that. Since Breaston is proving to be capable at WR, he could focus more on that and Williams could also handle return duties. I don't follow draft stuff real closely, so I don't know where he projects.

 

[joeshmo]

Guys I am currently digging in the 20's range of the draft (Seniors Only)

OLB - Aaron Curry
OLB - Brian Cushing
C - Alex Mack
OG - Duke Robinson
OG - Herman Johnson
S - William Moore
TE - Brandon Pettigrew

 

[Brewster10]

What about Derrick Williams from Penn State? He's a WR, but they use him out of the backfield frequently just to get him some touches. If you want a home run threat to compliment Hightower as the every down back, he might be able to do that. Since Breaston is proving to be capable at WR, he could focus more on that and Williams could also handle return duties. I don't follow draft stuff real closely, so I don't know where he projects.

Williams is too inconsistent IMO.. He's had a good year.. but first time he faces a legit defense this yr.. Malcolm Jenkins and the OSU CBs totally shut him down.. and that's been the case for four yrs..

I wouldnt spend a first day pick on him

 

[cgolden]

Guys I am currently digging in the 20's range of the draft (Seniors Only)

OLB - Aaron Curry
OLB - Brian Cushing
C - Alex Mack
OG - Duke Robinson
OG - Herman Johnson
S - William Moore
TE - Brandon Pettigrew

I'm glad I'm not the only one keeping an eye on some LBs. I keep thinking about all the LBs that could be gone after this season and I'm wondering if that shouldn't be priority #1. Any ILBs that catch your eye?

 

[joeshmo]

I'm glad I'm not the only one keeping an eye on some LBs. I keep thinking about all the LBs that could be gone after this season and I'm wondering if that shouldn't be priority #1. Any ILBs that catch your eye?

I just think that Curry and Cushing would be great in our 3-4 defense. And like you I know that Laboy and Okeafer are the only ones under contract for our 3-4 OLB group next year and Okeafer needs to be upgraded. I think we need a real LB at Okeafers spot, not just a converted slow DE. Curry and Cushing both have the size to hold up at 255 lbs plus but both have been trained as LB's and would have better speed and coverage ability. But they also have the ability to put their hands down from time to time especially Cushing who spends some time at DE in the past and present for USC.

Orakpo and Selvie are other ones I like but I think they might be the first pass rusher off the board in at least the top 15, so I didnt mention him. Plus they are converted DE's whom I think would work in the PRedator LB position that Laboy holds but not the Okeafer spot, which Like I said I think we should try out more of a LB type instead.

As for ILB I like the two major Senior prospects in Rey Maualaga and James Laurinaitis, but think they could both be gone. As for Juniors though I really like Brandon Spikes and think he could take Dansbys spot if Dansby isnt re-signed. But other then that dont think there are any others who would be a good replacement for Dansby. I like some run stuffing types like Clint Sintim that are good for the SILB spot but not for the WILB spot that we could be looking for.

 

[Russ Smith]

The closest guys in college to Johnson that I've seen this year are Jahvid Best from Cal and Noel Devine from WVU. Both are sophs, neither is as tough as Johnson. Devine is quicker and smaller, Best ran a 10.3 100 in HS but needs to get tougher running inside.

I haven't seen any draft eligible guys who remind me of Johnson.

 

[Twist18]

Guys I am currently digging in the 20's range of the draft (Seniors Only)

OLB - Aaron Curry
OLB - Brian Cushing
C - Alex Mack
OG - Duke Robinson
OG - Herman Johnson
S - William Moore
TE - Brandon Pettigrew

joe, have you seen draftcountdowns latest mock for the Cards? DE/LB Brian Orapko from Texas is a beast!

 

[cgolden]

As for ILB I like the two major Senior prospects in Rey Maualaga and James Laurinaitis, but think they could both be gone. As for Juniors though I really like Brandon Spikes and think he could take Dansbys spot if Dansby isnt re-signed. But other then that dont think there are any others who would be a good replacement for Dansby. I like some run stuffing types like Clint Sintim that are good for the SILB spot but not for the WILB spot that we could be looking for.

Yea, I'd love to get either of those top two but they should be long gone. Spikes is a player and I wouldn't mind seeing him in Cardinal red if he's still there in the first. He's the best rated underclassman from what I can tell. What do you think of Darry Beckwith? He's not as big or physical but he's more athletic and could available early in the second day.