Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
On NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" last night, they engaged in a very interesting and compelling debate about whether the Cardinals should take T Zach Martin or SS Calvin Pryor, if both are on the board at #20.
Seeing as Steve Keim has not added any new pieces to compete at RT and SS, the NFL Network crew has done a good job of identifying the likely players who could be instant starters for the Cardinals...which is what the Cardinals want to do with their first round picks, is start them asap.
One of the new pundits on the NFL Network crew is former Bears' WR Curtis Conway. I have found Conway to be surprisingly well-prepared and insightful. Both he and Charlie Casserly have assigned a higher grade to SS Calvin Pryor...but they both feel that adding RT Zach Martin and continuing to improve the offensive line would be the best move for the Cardinals.
What's very interesting is that Conway has been raving about SS Deone Bucannon, whom Conway believes is a "first round talent" and is "just as talented as Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor."
Conway said he watched a ton of tape of Bucannon---and having done the same, I agree with him. Bucannon's size is very appealing (he can thrive in the box or in deep coverage---so are his ball hawking skills (6 ints. last year).
The problem is---if the scouts are as high on Bucannon as Conway is, Bucannon won't make it to pick #52.
The other thing is that Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is really much more of a FS than SS. While his size may tempt some to think he can play more in the box, I don't think HHCD fashions his game as an in the box SS , whereas Pryor and Bucannon are very used to playing up in base packages and deep in nickel and dime packages.
Therefore---for the sake of this argument---if the Cardinals want to draft starters at RT and SS in this draft---and Zach Martin, Calvin Pryor and Deone Bucannon are on the board---do you:
a). Take Martin and complete the upgrading of the offensive line?
b). Take Pryor and draft a tackle prospect at #52 of #84?
c). Take Bucannon because you like him the best, even though most pundits have Bucannon going in the 2nd round?
d). Do you try to trade back 5-15 picks...add extra draft picks and take Deone Bucannon late in the first or early in the second (depending on whom you trade with)?
I like all of these options.
If I had to make a choice here---I'd go with Martin and hope like crazy that Bucannon makes it to #52.
While I love Pryor...he reminds me a lot of A-Dub---he's a thumper, but not a consistent wrap-up tackler.
As for Zach Martin---he is so sound technically, in addition to being one of the most physical and highly competitive players in this draft.
Seeing as Steve Keim has not added any new pieces to compete at RT and SS, the NFL Network crew has done a good job of identifying the likely players who could be instant starters for the Cardinals...which is what the Cardinals want to do with their first round picks, is start them asap.
One of the new pundits on the NFL Network crew is former Bears' WR Curtis Conway. I have found Conway to be surprisingly well-prepared and insightful. Both he and Charlie Casserly have assigned a higher grade to SS Calvin Pryor...but they both feel that adding RT Zach Martin and continuing to improve the offensive line would be the best move for the Cardinals.
What's very interesting is that Conway has been raving about SS Deone Bucannon, whom Conway believes is a "first round talent" and is "just as talented as Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor."
Conway said he watched a ton of tape of Bucannon---and having done the same, I agree with him. Bucannon's size is very appealing (he can thrive in the box or in deep coverage---so are his ball hawking skills (6 ints. last year).
The problem is---if the scouts are as high on Bucannon as Conway is, Bucannon won't make it to pick #52.
The other thing is that Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is really much more of a FS than SS. While his size may tempt some to think he can play more in the box, I don't think HHCD fashions his game as an in the box SS , whereas Pryor and Bucannon are very used to playing up in base packages and deep in nickel and dime packages.
Therefore---for the sake of this argument---if the Cardinals want to draft starters at RT and SS in this draft---and Zach Martin, Calvin Pryor and Deone Bucannon are on the board---do you:
a). Take Martin and complete the upgrading of the offensive line?
b). Take Pryor and draft a tackle prospect at #52 of #84?
c). Take Bucannon because you like him the best, even though most pundits have Bucannon going in the 2nd round?
d). Do you try to trade back 5-15 picks...add extra draft picks and take Deone Bucannon late in the first or early in the second (depending on whom you trade with)?
I like all of these options.
If I had to make a choice here---I'd go with Martin and hope like crazy that Bucannon makes it to #52.
While I love Pryor...he reminds me a lot of A-Dub---he's a thumper, but not a consistent wrap-up tackler.
As for Zach Martin---he is so sound technically, in addition to being one of the most physical and highly competitive players in this draft.
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