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| NFL Mock Draft |
Derek Anderson was just plain awful last season and I would really be surprised if he’s back in Arizona next season. Rookie John Skelton played a little bit better towards the end of the year, but I doubt that the Cardinals view him as the quarterback of the future. The Cardinals have pretty good depth at the running back spot, which they need because of the injury problems of starter Beanie Wells. He is the most talented back on the roster, but Tim Hightower and LaRod Stephens-Howling will get plenty of carries next year as well. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best wide receivers in the game, but he needs a quarterback who can get the ball to him more on a consistent basis. Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are solid second and third options, but both of them are free agents. Andre Roberts may get more opportunities in his second season. The tight end position is in serious need of an upgrade, where the combination of Ben Patrick, Stephen Spach, and Jim Dray just isn’t getting it done. The offensive line struggled a bit last season, and you could see multiple upgrades. Levi Brown struggled last year at left tackle, and Brandon Keith wasn’t a whole lot better at right tackle. Both guards, Alan Faneca and Deuce Lutui, are free agents, as is center Lyle Sendlein so this entire unit is a question mark heading into next year.
The defensive line is pretty solid, particularly at the defensive end position. Darnell Dockett is a pro bowl caliber player, and the combination of Calais Campbell and Kenny Iwebema is pretty solid on the other side. Dan Williams struggled at nose tackle as a rookie, but he started to improve towards the end of the season, and I expect him to be a solid player. The weak link on the Cardinals’ defense is at linebacker, where you could see a lot of changeover before next season. The outside linebacker combo of Joey Porter and Clark Haggans just isn’t getting it done, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or both of those players released before the start of the season. O’Brien Schofield has good pass rushing ability, so expect to see him get more playing time next year. Daryl Washington struggled at times at inside linebacker, and he would be much more affective if he added some more weight. Paris Lenon is a below average starter at the other linebacker spot, so this could be a position the Cardinals address in the draft. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie struggled some last season, but he is still the best cornerback on the Cardinals’ roster. Greg Toler is the other starter, but he is better suited for a backup role. The Cardinals will most likely take at least one cornerback to help improve the depth at this position. The safety tandem of Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes looked very impressive last season, but the depth behind them is suspect
1. (26) DT Dan Williams, Tennessee: He started very slow but he progressed as the season went on, and I expect him to have an even bigger role next year. 15 GP/ 0 GS
2. (47) ILB Daryl Washington, TCU: Washington played pretty well last season, but he needs to add some weight to be more effective in the Cardinals’ defense. 16 GP/ 11 GS
3. (88) WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel: Roberts looks like he will be an excellent weapon in the slot, and he really improved as the season progressed. 15 GP/ 2 GS
4. (130) OLB O’Brien Schofield, Wisconsin: He missed the beginning of the year with an injury, but he should become an excellent pass rusher. 10 GP/ 0 GS
5. (155) QB John Skelton, Fordham: Skelton played decent after being forced into the lineup, but I don’t see him as the long term answer at quarterback. 5 GP/ 4 GS
6. (201) CB Jorrick Calvin, Troy: He never played for the Cardinals, as he was traded to theEagles before the start of the season. 0 GP/ 0 GS
7. (233) TE Jim Dray, Stanford: He played pretty well for a seventh round pick, but he is an average tight end at best. 16 GP/ 3 GS
Summary: This draft class underachieved last season, but they all looked like they were improving as the season went on. However, Williams and Washington have to play better for a full season for this class to be considered a success. I expect this group to improve next year, but a lot more was expected of this class last year.
Grade: C
The Cardinals have had a lot of change at the quarterback position in the past year, but not for the better. Kurt Warner retired and the team gave up on former first round pick Matt Leinart. That left the team with Derek Anderson and rookies John Skelton and Max Hall as the quarterbacks of the roster. None of them performed well on the field, and none of them are the long term answer.
If the Cardinals want to get back to the playoffs anytime soon, they have to find a long term option at quarterback.
Round One: Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert
Round Two: Ryan Mallett, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, Colin Kaepernick
I think that the Cardinals will take a quarterback either in round one or two. Quarterbacks will be a hot commodity in this year’s draft because of the questions surrounding the labor issue, so the Cardinals best option in my opinion would be to take Gabbert in round one.
Joey Porter really didn’t work out well as a free agent pickup, and he won’t be back with the team next year. The other starter, Clark Haggans, will be 34 years old next season and he is also a candidate to be replaced next year. I think that O’Brien Schofield will be an excellent pass rusher if given the chance, so look for him to challenge for a starting spot next year.
Even if Schofield grabs one of the starting spots, the Cardinals don’t have any other pass rushers on the roster so they need to grab one early in the draft.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie didn’t play up to his true abilities last season, but he is still a number one quality cornerback. He has one cornerback spot locked up for a long time, but the other side is a concern. Greg Toler isn’t starting material, so the Cardinals need another impact cornerback opposite Rodgers Cromartie.
The Cardinals may decide to use an early pick on this position. If Von Miller and Blaine Gabbert are somehow gone before their pick, the Cardinals will strongly consider Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara.
Round One: Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara
Round Two: Aaron Williams, Brandon Burton, Curtis Brown, Ras-I Dowling, Johnny Patrick
Round Three: Jalil Brown, Davon House, Kendric Burney, Rashad Carmichael
Round Four: Chimdi Chekwa, Shareece Wright
Round Five: Chykie Brown, Buster Skrine, DeMarcus Van Dyke
The Cardinals already have a number one cornerback, but they could decide to go best player available in round one and take Patrick Peterson. If not, then they can still find some quality corners in round two or three who can be an upgrade over Greg Toler.
Daryl Washington underachieved at times last season, but he is the best long term option that the Cardinals currently have on their team. He should have one spot locked down for next season, but the other spot is still a question mark. Paris Lenon is slated to be the starter as of now, but he is probably more suited for a backup role.
This may not be the highest of priorities for the Cardinals, but it is definitely on the list of positions to consider for the upcoming draft.
Round Two: Martez Wilson, Greg Jones
Round Three: Kelvin Sheppard, Quan Sturdivant
Round Four: Akeem Dent, Casey Matthews
As I said, this isn’t the highest of priorities but the Cardinals could consider a mid round inside linebacker if they are worried about the long term potential of Daryl Washington. Quan Sturdivant would be a great pickup for the Cardinals, and he could compete for the starting spot with Paris Lenon next season.
The Cardinals have ignored the tight end position for a long time and it could finally be the time for them to address it. Jim Dray had a nice season for a seventh round rookie, but he is an average tight end at best. Ben Patrick and Stephen Spach are not starting material, so the Cardinals will need an upgrade.
This is another position that the Cardinals won’t necessarily target high in the draft, but they can still get a mid round player who is better than any of the current talent.
Round Three: D.J. Williams, Lance Kendricks, Luke Stocker
Round Four: Virgil Green, Charles Clay, Lee Smith
Round Five: Julius Thomas, Rob Housler, Jordan Cameron
The Cardinals could look to target someone like Green or Clay in round four who would instantly become the Cardinals top tight end. This would also give the new franchise quarterback just one more weapon in the passing game.
Offensive Tackle: Levi Brown and Brandon Keith are one of the worst offensive tackle duos in the league, so an upgrade is needed at that position.
Offensive Guard: Alan Faneca did not have a great season in 2010 and he is also a free agent that I don’t expect the Cardinals to re-sign.
Wide Receiver: Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are both free agents. If one or both of them isn’t back next season, the Cardinals could look for some upgrades.
The Cardinals have fallen very far in a very short amount of time. Three seasons ago they were playing in the Super Bowl, and last year they were the worst team in the worst division in football. One main reason for that is the lack of a starting quarterback, which I expect the Cardinals to address very early in the draft this year.
The Cardinals will likely take a mix of offensive and defensive players in the draft this year, as they have some glaring needs on both sides of the football. They have lost a lot of talent within the past year, losing Kurt Warner to retirement, Antrel Rolle and Karlos Dansby to free agency, and trading Anquan Boldin. They need to build the talent base of the team back up, and even with a solid draft I just don’t see them competing for a playoff spot next season.
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This is one of those debated topics everywhere on blogs and chat rooms alike these days.
Who should your team take in the first round?
That's a good question.
And all we can do is guess...and hope that the player we think should go to our team will go there.
Well, the Cardinals have many needs, so I imagine that whoever we take will have an immediate impact.
But I believe some players would do better in the Cardinals system than others.
Here are my top five, in order of best fit.
I still abide by the belief that the best first-round pick, based on fit and talent, is Von Miller from Texas A&M.
Miller is very athletic and has an ability that maybe no one else does on the Cards roster right now: the ability to get to the quarterback.
It's not their biggest need (quarterback is), but I'm of the belief that the two first-round quarterbacks (Gabbert and Newton) aren't up to par with what the Cardinals would need.
Not only that, but a rookie quarterback is going to need time to learn the system, and work with the team in the offseason.
And if there is no offseason, then that's going to be a problem.
Not to mention, Miller seems like a well-behaved, hard-working individual, a guy that coach Whisenhunt likes.
As Mike Sando on the NFC West blog on espn.com said, "If Miller is available, I have a hard time imagining they will pass him up."
I really hate to admit this, but our next best fit is Robert Quinn.
Do I hope that Arizona gets Quinn.
Um, no.
But in terms of athletic talent, he's right up there with Von Miller.
The problem?
He hasn't played football in a year.
The talent is there though, and if the Cardinals were picking at 10 instead of five, I'd be pleased with Quinn.
The only reason he's second on the list is he's the next best fit, as the Cardinals desperately need a 3-4 OLB.
In a vacuum, I will take Gabbert over Newton any day.
My general dislike of Newton has to do with two main things:
1. I don't think he's NFL ready, in terms of his actual passing (he's got the body).
2. His attitude. He's out there for himself. I just don't like that.
You can argue all you want that he's a leader in the huddle and all that.
Of course he is. If he weren't, Auburn wouldn't have won the BCS National Championship.
But now he's got to lead a pro team. I don't think he's ready.
Gabbert?
I'm not sure if he is either, but he seems to have a better arm and a better demeanor.
Mark my words: If Arizona drafts Newton, it'll be Matt Leinart all over again.
Still, I don't think Arizona will draft Gabbert. He's a good fit, but not in a year with no offseason.
Now here's a name no one has tossed out that the Cardinals may look at.
But here's the thing: they need a tackle.
The offensive line really struggled last year, regardless of the QB, and right now Smith, at least according to some scouts, is the best tackle out there.
Again, do I think Arizona will take him?
No, but you shouldn't rule it out.
Why?
Well, if Miller, Gabbert and Patrick Peterson are all off the board, the Cardinals could go with Robert Quinn, or they could fill another big need and get a pass rusher later.
The last time they took an offensive tackle this early it didn't work out so well (yes, you, Levi Brown).
But who knows, right?
For those of you freaking out right now, there's a reason that Peterson isn't higher on the list.
It's because he doesn't fill a huge need.
Is it a need? Sure.
But the Cards need a QB and OLB desperately, and an OT almost as bad.
Peterson would be a luxury, that's for sure.
But heck, it would take some pressure off the pass rush if Peterson were able to become a shutdown corner that some think he could be.
The Cardinals would have top-five secondary potential.
But on the other hand, any secondary is going to get exposed if they can't get to the QB.
I do want to say that I think Arizona, with the recent hiring of Ray Horton (a former corner), will pull the trigger if Peterson is there at five and Miller is gone.
