Krangodnzr
Captain of Team Conner
Draft: Trade: The Cardinals trade the #6 pick and the #102 pick (pending
compensatory pick announcement) for the #12 pick and #43 pick.
With the likely retirement of Brett Favre and with the Tavaris Jackson experiment coming to a close, the Vikings will put a premium on addressing the QB situation in the first round. They really like their 1st year QB Webb, but they decide after that he ultimately doesn't have the tools to be a frontline player in the NFL.
Blaine Gabbert goes off the board to Buffalo at #3 and with other teams in the top ten looking like they need a QB, the Vikings view the Cardinals as a trade partner. The Vikings trade up with the Cardinals to draft QB Ryan Mallett. I know many on this board don't like Mallett, and I'm in the minority that believes Ryan Mallett could be a fantastic NFL QB. Mallett possesses one of the best arms coming from the college ranks in many years. His size is not a detriment; sure he looks like a statue, but he moves well in the pocket and has scrambled for some big gains a few times in his career.
Some may point out the struggles of Coach Bobby Petrino's QBs in the NFL, but none have had the sheer physical talents that Mallett has. He is a winner, he is accurate, and would likely have the strongest arm in the NFL from day one. Mallett IMO, is like Derrick Anderson with big league skills. The Vikings will see these traits and will move up to draft him, since the 49ers, Titans, and Washington could all use a guy like Ryan Mallett. I wouldn't be upset if we drafted Mallett since I believe he could become a frontline NFL starter within a few seasons.
#12: Justin Houston. While I've advocated taking Robert Quinn and I like his over all long term potential better, the Cardinals decide to take the trade and grab this emerging 3-4 edge rusher instead since he's less of a gamble. Houston is rare like Von Miller, in that he has played in a 3-4 in college. He's a better prospect than Miller, because he's better against the run and better taking on blockers head on. Houston has lived in the backfield; this past season he had 67 tackles, 10 sacks, 18.5 tackles for a loss and the Georgia coaching staff credited him with 44 QB hurries. He's a bit of a one trick pony right now, but is still substantially better getting off blocks than Von Miller.
#38 is traded for Kyle Orton along with a future pick TBD.
#43: Nate Irving. Nate Irving is a fiery Player, one of the few collegiate ILBs that consistently make plays behind the line of scrimmage. His instincts, playing speed and aggression set him part. This past season he had over 20 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks which is rare for a ILB, but perfect if we're trying to improve the overall pressure our defense generates, especially if we bring in a coordinator like Butler that likes to bring many different rushers, from many different looks. While he's not a perfect fit as a SILB I believe Irving is one of those players that will excel at changing position. Imagine the havoc that a lineup of Dockett, Campbell, Houston, Irving and Wilson could cause?
#69: Titus Young. Titus Young not only improves our WR depth, but he also could step in as a punt returner. Young is very similar to Steve Breaston, but IMO, he's Steve Breaston with better hands. Young can be a dynamic player, and with more time in the weight room, could develop into an option as a future starting receiver. Precedence shows that the Cardinals put a priority on having good receivers on the roster, so two years in a row using third rounders on receivers isn't far fetched. This pick may change depending on whether we resign Breaston and/or add a decent free agent.
#133: Joseph Barksdale. Unfortunately I believe the Cardinals should use a higher pick, but I think most indicators in the past suggest that the Cardinals are comfortable with taking guys later and developing. While some teams have had success with this approach, the Cardinals have largely failed to find OL late in the draft. Barksdale is your typical LSU OL, great potential but has largely failed to meet his full potential. Barkdale will be initially cross trained at guard for a year.
#166 Weslye Saunders. While Saunders IMO is a round one-three prospect, he was suspended and subsequently kicked off South Caronlina's team for 2010. Saunders might sound like a blocking prospect based on his weight (270), but at this point in time he's considered a better receiver than blocker. He runs really well for a man his size and is able to get deep and catch the ball. But his size is the most intriguing part of his game because if he could develop into a good blocker, Saunders will become a very good NFL tight end.
compensatory pick announcement) for the #12 pick and #43 pick.
With the likely retirement of Brett Favre and with the Tavaris Jackson experiment coming to a close, the Vikings will put a premium on addressing the QB situation in the first round. They really like their 1st year QB Webb, but they decide after that he ultimately doesn't have the tools to be a frontline player in the NFL.
Blaine Gabbert goes off the board to Buffalo at #3 and with other teams in the top ten looking like they need a QB, the Vikings view the Cardinals as a trade partner. The Vikings trade up with the Cardinals to draft QB Ryan Mallett. I know many on this board don't like Mallett, and I'm in the minority that believes Ryan Mallett could be a fantastic NFL QB. Mallett possesses one of the best arms coming from the college ranks in many years. His size is not a detriment; sure he looks like a statue, but he moves well in the pocket and has scrambled for some big gains a few times in his career.
Some may point out the struggles of Coach Bobby Petrino's QBs in the NFL, but none have had the sheer physical talents that Mallett has. He is a winner, he is accurate, and would likely have the strongest arm in the NFL from day one. Mallett IMO, is like Derrick Anderson with big league skills. The Vikings will see these traits and will move up to draft him, since the 49ers, Titans, and Washington could all use a guy like Ryan Mallett. I wouldn't be upset if we drafted Mallett since I believe he could become a frontline NFL starter within a few seasons.
#12: Justin Houston. While I've advocated taking Robert Quinn and I like his over all long term potential better, the Cardinals decide to take the trade and grab this emerging 3-4 edge rusher instead since he's less of a gamble. Houston is rare like Von Miller, in that he has played in a 3-4 in college. He's a better prospect than Miller, because he's better against the run and better taking on blockers head on. Houston has lived in the backfield; this past season he had 67 tackles, 10 sacks, 18.5 tackles for a loss and the Georgia coaching staff credited him with 44 QB hurries. He's a bit of a one trick pony right now, but is still substantially better getting off blocks than Von Miller.
#38 is traded for Kyle Orton along with a future pick TBD.
#43: Nate Irving. Nate Irving is a fiery Player, one of the few collegiate ILBs that consistently make plays behind the line of scrimmage. His instincts, playing speed and aggression set him part. This past season he had over 20 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks which is rare for a ILB, but perfect if we're trying to improve the overall pressure our defense generates, especially if we bring in a coordinator like Butler that likes to bring many different rushers, from many different looks. While he's not a perfect fit as a SILB I believe Irving is one of those players that will excel at changing position. Imagine the havoc that a lineup of Dockett, Campbell, Houston, Irving and Wilson could cause?
#69: Titus Young. Titus Young not only improves our WR depth, but he also could step in as a punt returner. Young is very similar to Steve Breaston, but IMO, he's Steve Breaston with better hands. Young can be a dynamic player, and with more time in the weight room, could develop into an option as a future starting receiver. Precedence shows that the Cardinals put a priority on having good receivers on the roster, so two years in a row using third rounders on receivers isn't far fetched. This pick may change depending on whether we resign Breaston and/or add a decent free agent.
#133: Joseph Barksdale. Unfortunately I believe the Cardinals should use a higher pick, but I think most indicators in the past suggest that the Cardinals are comfortable with taking guys later and developing. While some teams have had success with this approach, the Cardinals have largely failed to find OL late in the draft. Barksdale is your typical LSU OL, great potential but has largely failed to meet his full potential. Barkdale will be initially cross trained at guard for a year.
#166 Weslye Saunders. While Saunders IMO is a round one-three prospect, he was suspended and subsequently kicked off South Caronlina's team for 2010. Saunders might sound like a blocking prospect based on his weight (270), but at this point in time he's considered a better receiver than blocker. He runs really well for a man his size and is able to get deep and catch the ball. But his size is the most intriguing part of his game because if he could develop into a good blocker, Saunders will become a very good NFL tight end.
