Your Arizona Cardinals now hold the 16th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft

[kerouac9]

The easiest path to a better Cardinals offense (outside of QB play) is more vertical elements to 11 personnel. Tip to surpass Higgins as a receiving option. Essentially increase his catches to the 25-35 range. More long TDs from the running back position.

How many routes did Higgins run this season?

 

[Russ Smith]

I think he'll develop as a receiver too. He had something like 41 catches for 420 yards and a handful of touchdowns in college.

He moved up in the draft because he worked out really well at the combine, everyone was impressed with his athletic ability and thought maybe he can be a receiver too. I like the kid, I just think the 3rd round was too high but we are a team that wants to play lots of 3 TE sets so he was more valuable to us

 

[Brian in Mesa]

He moved up in the draft because he worked out really well at the combine, everyone was impressed with his athletic ability and thought maybe he can be a receiver too. I like the kid, I just think the 3rd round was too high but we are a team that wants to play lots of 3 TE sets so he was more valuable to us

It's kind of refreshing to long-term fans because it shows a commitment to the position which has been horrible and/or misused for much of their time here in AZ. A 3rd is too high unless it is part of your blueprint for the future.

 

[GatorAZ]

Absolutely. But it is a message board and posters will expound about needs and how they feel those needs aren't being met. I think counting on DRob to be the absolute beast DL we need next season is foolish. That doesn't mean I think he doesn't have the chance to develop into a good player or anything. It just means I'm not ready to rely on that huge jump from year 1 to year 2. Call it the BJ Ojulari effect. Monti putting all his eggs in the Ojulari basket at edge this season was sheer idiocy. Unless Beej became an instant high-impact edge, the plan was awful. Even then, we would have lacked other needed talent at the position. Of course, the injury knocked him out of contention, but there's no way Monti can legislate for the injury. He can be blamed for general lack of edge talent/depth on the roster, but not the injury.

If Monty’s plan going into 25-26’ with Ojulari as the starting edge I’ll lose a lot of confidence in his team building stregedy. In two years BJ has never stood out in training camp, preseason or regular season and it’s hard to imagine him coming back more explosive than he was before tearing up his knee.

 

[oaken1]

If Monty’s plan going into 25-26’ with Ojulari as the starting edge I’ll lose a lot of confidence in his team building stregedy. In two years BJ has never stood out in training camp, preseason or regular season and it’s hard to imagine him coming back more explosive than he was before tearing up his knee.

I have no issue with BJ being penciled in as a starter. We have invested in him and he is still really young.
But you need more than one. Traditional wisdom says you need a double digit sack guy on one side and an 8-9 sack a year guy on the other...and hopefully a couple 6-8 sack guys in the rotation... that's obviously hard to put together.
Pencil in BJ, use a 1st on a guy like James Pearce...then get a DE with some skills...and our edge situation will be greatly improved.

 

[slanidrac16]

Wasn’t it the patriots that turned the NFL upside down with 2 awesome te’s.
Was it Gronk and Hernandez?

 

[Chopper0080]

How many routes did Higgins run this season?

I will need to find a good source for this. I don't pay for any data subscriptions.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Hindsight sure is 20/20.

LOL… isn’t this the place hindsight ACTUALLY matters as a way of looking back at where guys were picked and how they performed?

Or should Monti be lauded for a “great” draft on paper even though the field performance wasn’t good?

I mean… is that a serious post?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Wasn’t it the patriots that turned the NFL upside down with 2 awesome te’s.
Was it Gronk and Hernandez?

Yes. They were both dominating blocking AND RECIEVING TEs. Are you now making some kind of argument that Reiman’s whopping 36 yards this season puts him on track to be a HOF-level TE?

My lord… I thought your hindsight post was comical, but this one’s a laugh riot in comparison.

 

[slanidrac16]

LOL… isn’t this the place hindsight ACTUALLY matters as a way of looking back at where guys were picked and how they performed?

Or should Monti be lauded for a “great” draft on paper even though the field performance wasn’t good?

I mean… is that a serious post?

Cheese, we can go back every year and claim we should’ve done this or that and even then it wouldn’t guarantee the same outcome of that move. As stated 20/20 hindsight.
Sometimes posters come across as the wild old soothsayer on what they would have done differently and they actually might be right sometimes.
However , Like I said in another post show me the poster that said we should have drafted Puca Nacua or Purdy. Now that would be something.
And there’s a good chance Puca would not have the same success here.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yea, you guys have to give rookies more than just their rookie season before making a conclusion. Not everyone is just bursts out the scene at a high level.

This is true. But after two drafts and 20 picks, the hope is that ONE pick would have burst out the scene at a high level. Especially considering the multitude of high picks in both the 1st and 2nd round the first two years.

The lack of one true breakout star so far is a little troubling as far as Monti’s eye for upper echelon talent’s concerned.

Especially since the the two best players he’s drafted Paris/MHJ we’re both taken highest amongst their positions and neither are even the 2nd or 3rd best player from their class at their own position after being taken 1st above others.

 

[DVontel]

This is true. But after two drafts and 20 picks, the hope is that ONE pick would have burst out the scene at a high level. Especially considering the multitude of high picks in both the 1st and 2nd round the first two years.

The lack of one true breakout star so far is a little troubling as far as Monti’s eye for upper echelon talent’s concerned.

Especially since the the two best players he’s drafted Paris/MHJ we’re both taken highest amongst their positions and neither are even the 2nd or 3rd best player from their class at their own position after being taken 1st above others.

I’d consider Garrett a breakout star.

I do agree with you overall though. Would love it if one of these dudes were already getting billed as a top 5-10 player at their own position out of everyone(outside of Garrett).

Hopefully the Marv turns out like 2014 WR draft. Odell started out as the best WR of that draft until Mike Evans continued to be consistent & durable unlike Odell & Mike took the thrown.

I just disagree with Chris’ POV where it seems like he’s already declaring even the rookies as big misses lol.

 

[oaken1]

I’d consider Garrett a breakout star.

I do agree with you overall though. Would love it if one of these dudes were already getting billed as a top 5-10 player at their own position out of everyone(outside of Garrett).

Hopefully the Marv turns out like 2014 WR draft. Odell started out as the best WR of that draft until Mike Evans continued to be consistent & durable unlike Odell & Mike took the thrown.

I just disagree with Chris’ POV where it seems like he’s already declaring even the rookies as big misses lol.

Right... I like our youngsters.
But even I gotta admit that as a team we are way overdue for a guy who is in the OROY or DROY conversation... I mean, we had kyler six years ago.
Sure would be nice this year to draft an edge and have him be top 5 in sacks.
Or drop a 5th on some rotational guy and have him explode as an all pro right out of the gate. I mean damn, as dysfunctional as the Raiders are they snagged Crosby in the fourth..

 

[BACH]

This is true. But after two drafts and 20 picks, the hope is that ONE pick would have burst out the scene at a high level. Especially considering the multitude of high picks in both the 1st and 2nd round the first two years.

The lack of one true breakout star so far is a little troubling as far as Monti’s eye for upper echelon talent’s concerned.

Especially since the the two best players he’s drafted Paris/MHJ we’re both taken highest amongst their positions and neither are even the 2nd or 3rd best player from their class at their own position after being taken 1st above others.

PJJ ranks 12th in the league of all OTs. Williams rank #6 of all CBs.

And players' 3rd year is usually where the full potential is reached.

 

[Cardinal88]

If we are looking for a speed receiver, we can double down on The Ohio State Buckeye's Emeka Ugbuka (1st round talent) or maybe Georgia's Arian Smith (4th round) or Baylor's Monaray Baldwin (5th or 6th round) who if invited to the combine my have the fastest time.

 

[slanidrac16]

Yes. They were both dominating blocking AND RECIEVING TEs. Are you now making some kind of argument that Reiman’s whopping 36 yards this season puts him on track to be a HOF-level TE?

My lord… I thought your hindsight post was comical, but this one’s a laugh riot in comparison.

No, no, no. Not at all. I was thinking out loud how McBride is so good and how two TE’s worked for New England. Of course they had Brady, so there’s that.
Actually I think Higgins offers a great dual threat at TE.
Rieman is another story. Maybe he will develop but I don’t see him being an integral part of our passing game.

 

[FB94]

I like our TE group. Higgins is underrated and Reiman should continue to improve.

 

[Jetstream Green]

He was drafted too high. I do like him as a blocker but you probably didn't need to take him in the 3rd round.

For him to be a good pick he has to develop as a receiver too, 3 is too high for a blocker.

Have not seen him drop many balls his way when he got the remote chance, have you?

 

[Russ Smith]

Have not seen him drop many balls his way when he got the remote chance, have you?

No but that doesn't mean he's a good receiver. Again I like the kid, but you don't normally spend a 3rd rounder on him. I feel like Monti figured because he had so many picks he wanted to make sure he got Tip and used a 3rd to do so

 

[Jetstream Green]

No but that doesn't mean he's a good receiver. Again I like the kid, but you don't normally spend a 3rd rounder on him. I feel like Monti figured because he had so many picks he wanted to make sure he got Tip and used a 3rd to do so

It also doesn't mean he is a bad receiver. I do get stretching for a third rounder. but Russ, I think they did get what they wanted regardless while the draft can be a crapshoot

 

[SoonerLou]

The easiest path to a better Cardinals offense (outside of QB play) is more vertical elements to 11 personnel. Tip to surpass Higgins as a receiving option. Essentially increase his catches to the 25-35 range. More long TDs from the running back position.

Wasnt a fan of the Tip draft pick.

However, my hope was that he's this diamond in the rough that just really needs coaching. His routes still look sloppy and sadly he looks like just an extra Olineman.

Jatavion Sanders/Panthers would have been the guy if they were truly focused on two pass catching TEs.

Hope he improves though.

 

[Cheesebeef]

PJJ ranks 12th in the league of all OTs. Williams rank #6 of all CBs.

And players' 3rd year is usually where the full potential is reached.

Only in the land of losers does someone respond to lack of breakout stars by highlighting the 12TH best player at his position.

And where in the hell is Williams ranked as the #6 CB. Ain’t by All-Pro, Pro Bowl or ANY statistical measure.

 

[gimpy]

Wasnt a fan of the Tip draft pick.

However, my hope was that he's this diamond in the rough that just really needs coaching. His routes still look sloppy and sadly he looks like just an extra Olineman.

Jatavion Sanders/Panthers would have been the guy if they were truly focused on two pass catching TEs.

Hope he improves though.

I'm not sure where you get the concept that they're truly focusing on two pass catching TEs with the drafting of Tip?

 

[HairZach]

I'm not sure where you get the concept that they're truly focusing on two pass catching TEs with the drafting of Tip?

Some people really hate the concept of a blocking TE. I feel it comes from the corporate mindset of not caring about anything that can't easily be quantified. Key blocks don't show up on the stat sheet.

 

[BACH]

Only in the land of losers does someone respond to lack of breakout stars by highlighting the 12TH best player at his position.

And where in the hell is Williams ranked as the #6 CB. Ain’t by All-Pro, Pro Bowl or ANY statistical measure.

Both PFF.

And FYI. 12th among all OTs. 12 of 62 = top 20% at his position in his 2nd year at a position where players takes time to develop. Paris has a 0.4 higher ranking than Penei Sewell had in his 2nd year (ranked 6th).

Also the generational talent at OT and "immediate pro-bowler" Joe Alt ranked 19th by comparison.

But thanks for the loser comment