Round & Round
April 8, 2008 by Harry Greene
Setting up a draft board is one of the hardest tasks in the NFL. Do you weight it toward your needs? Do you take the top guy on it if a need guys is rated almost as highly? This isn’t a whole board, but it gives some idea of whom I would consider worthy of selection in the first 3 rounds.
I have dropped a few guys from Round 1, knowing they will be gone. Some I have included will undoubtedly be gone as well. I know some of these candidates are a round higher than others rated them.
If it’s the guy I want, I don’t want to see him go a few picks ahead of mine. If I think he is worth being selected at the higher point, grab him. I will rank these as I would if they were on a board.
Once I fill a need, except for the O-line, I’d move to another position, so if Mendenhall is chosen, pass on Smith. Of course if someone drops, for example Rachal is there in Round 3, take him as the first choice.
| Keith Rivers | OLB | USC | Likely gone & not an immediate need, but simply that good |
| Derrick Harvey | DE | Florida | Would have been more highly rated if he had any help |
| Leodis McKelvin | CB | Troy | Very poor ball skills, but he can cover |
| Dominique Rodgers Cromartie | CB | Tenn St | Could be a top corner, but ego may not fit in a helmet |
| Rashard Mendenhall | RB | IL | Might be the most productive back in the draft |
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Round Two |
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| Kevin Smith | RB | UCF | I’m scared he might go earlier, vastly underrated, slight durability concerns |
| Chico Rachal | G | USC | I have him the best guard in the draft - I know he might last ’til 3 |
| Calais Campbell | DE | Miami | Forget the workouts, look at the tapes |
| Erin Henderson | OLB | Maryland | Raw but will contribute on special team and will develop |
| Justin King | CB | Penn State | I don’t like taking corners, but he was solid in college & fast |
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Round Three |
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| Anthony Collins | T | Kansas | Nice player who may have to move inside, but will contribute |
| Eddie Royal | WR | VT | He can spread the field, but may not like being number three |
| Dexter Jackson | WR | App St | A better teammate than Royal, but height will hurt productivity |
| Mike McGlynn | G | Pitt | A very secure choice at this point - no Pro Bowl-type, but solid |
| Marcus Howard | OLB | GA | You never have too many good ones, nice special teams player |
In later rounds I’d grab a young punter, like Dragosavich or Brooks. If QB Booty lasts until round 4, I’d consider him for a career-type backup.
I’ll try to put something on the ASFN Cardinals message board after the first two rounds are finished and we can see who’s left.
Look for a couple of project linemen like Giacomni or Rhinehart. Late round receiver considerations would include Hubbard, Leggett or Franklin. Another nice addition would be a linebacker named Guyton. He needs to add more power, but he could provide nice depth inside or outside.
Posted in Mock draft, Cardinals, Draft board, nfl draft, ken whisenhunt, college, football, nfl, arizona cardinals
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Questions Harry–
Who do you think would make a better running back for the Cardinals - Stewart or Mendenhall?
How do you think Felix Jones would fit into this team right now as a change of pace back from Edge?
Mendenhall is stronger than most think and would be the better fit. Jones is intriguing, but I’d rather go with someone who has shown his durability with more carries.
Harry, why are so many people so high on Keith Rivers? I don’t understand because this guy never made plays in college that an NFL LB’er should make at the next level (sacks, int’s, forced fumbles or passes defensed). Is it because he play at USC, combine workouts and ahtleticsim? I watched nearly every USC game over the last 4 seasons and the guy never really stood out to me. Explain.