Has NT become a position "of need" ?

[RugbyMuffin]

The Cardinals are visiting with A LOT of linebackers.

Foote
Porter
Lenon
Ayodele

One could assume, the Cardinals are NOT going to draft a linebacker in the first round.

I believe the nose tackle position has become one of great need for the Cardinals and they are going to draft the best one on the board at the time (unless it is deemed a ridiculous reach at that time).

So what say you ?

 

[Cards Czar]

So say Cody / Williams who ever is there at 26.

 

[Garthshort]

Usually, teams don't draft "two downs" players in the first round, unless they are exceptional players.

 

[WarnerHOF]

Usually, teams don't draft "two downs" players in the first round, unless they are exceptional players.

Cody and Williams are both exceptional run stoppers. We already have our 3rd down NT in Alan Branch anyway.

 

[Stout]

I don't think that is a good assumption at all. Even if we sign Foote, we still need the starter for the future as well as depth. Even if he is signed, I think ILB is still a probability in RD1.

 

[Hypothesis]

Absolutely NT is a position of need. B-Rob did his best, but he is not a true NT that will occupy 2 blockers, keeping guards off our ILB's. He isn't even signed to the roster as of now. Gabe Watson is inconsistent, though his knee cap injury may have set him back and he may produce this year, but that is uncertain. Alan Branch is better suited for DE. Outside of that who do we really have?

A true 3-4 NT will greatly improve the play of our ILB's. Most any 3-4 Defensive Coordinator will tell you, that in order for a 3-4 to be really effective, it starts with having a NT. Without him, the ILB's will suffer greatly.

Don't get me wrong, I like Sean Weatherspoon, I think he'll be a great player. But there are fewer quality NT's in this draft than there are players that will be capable of playing ILB.

 

[Catfish]

I still think that even if we sign Foote-----we take Weatherspoon or Spikes at #26 if one is available. Now that we have signed both Hadnot, (G/C), and Claxton, (C), I feel that we will pass on Pouncey in the draft. That probably sets us up to take either Williams, Cody, Thomas, or Troupe, in one of the next two rounds, depending on who is available when we pick. I am not positive that any of them will be taken in round one, but probably Cody and Williams are both gone where we pick in round two. I do think we must address this position in the draft, (and might even do it in round one if we can sign a solid back-up to Hayes in FA to go along with Foote at WILB, should we sign him).

In any event, I strongly believe that we will get stronger up the middle of our defense, before we go taking any more corners or safeties, (though that is where I would look to go as soon as the middle of our D is addressed).

I would love to have Williams, (because of his motor), but could live with Thomas or Troupe. I am scared of Cody though. Getting fat like that in the off season, (even though he has lost a lot of it), does not say much for his personal discipline. On top of that, he is slow, and will only get slower over the years. Also, I prefer a shorter guy at NT, as they have an easier time staying below the pad level of the opponent, which is key to holding up against the double team. I guess that I just have a hard time thinking that Mount Cody will have anything but a rude awakening when he brings his baby fat to the NFL and has to play against (men), not boys.

In any event, I think we will address getting stronger up the middle of our defense with our first picks of the draft and FA. As soon as that is addressed, I believe we will look to Corner and Safety before going offense, based on what we have signed in FA's on the offense already. With the signings of Bridges, Hadnot, and Claxton, we have good depth and decent talent all along the line, and youth available at G and T with Johnson and Keith coming along.

 

[Snakester]

So far we still have no passrusher and no left tackle. Those are still our biggest needs. Looking at the roster I think we will draft a DT in the first three rounds though. We also need another corner and a fourth wideout. I think the first round has to be either a passrusher like Brandon Graham or a left tackle prospect.

 

[Cardiac]

So far we still have no passrusher and no left tackle. Those are still our biggest needs. Looking at the roster I think we will draft a DT in the first three rounds though. We also need another corner and a fourth wideout. I think the first round has to be either a passrusher like Brandon Graham or a left tackle prospect.

So you don't think Levi moves to LT this year and Keith or Johnson moves into the starting RT slot. With us re-signing Bridges he may be a very good RT as well.

If Porter is signed do we move OLB/Pass rusher down on the "needs" list?

I want the CB before the WR but always going with BPA as much as possible.

 

[SuperSpck]

A good NT can make a big difference, but a key one?
Chargers (until age and injury), Pit, Jets, and the Pats seem to think so.
Sadly there's no magic trend. Some guys are drafted by their teams and guys like Jenkins were FA acquisitions.

Speaking of, I was shocked that he played at such a high level for the Jets while in a new role.

It makes me wonder about a guy like GB's Jolly moving inside.