Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
With substantial money to spend the Cards approached the free agency market conservatively. At 76 I’d appreciate a little more haste at joining the playoffs. Still I understand with a new staff all around it makes sense to avoid major commitments that will restrict future options. They face no likely departure of their own key players in 2024, so they appear to be focusing on building a foundation, perhaps with a view to a more aggressive free agency period in 2025. At this point they seem mostly pointed toward mistake avoidance.
They appear to have done a good free agency job of targeting reliable, steady performers who can help stabilize units. Much of their focus was on defense with a few key offensive players. Overall they acquired some players with upside, but mostly not likely future Pro Bowl players. They followed the expected pattern of focusing on the trenches. However, they’ve left some critical areas to address.
The most glaring remaining concerns are WR and Edge. At WR they signed Chris Moore and he should help provide depth. My understanding is the Cards will target a WR with their first pick, but a good trade offer could impact which of the top 3 receivers they select. It only makes sense to assume they target an Edge with their second pick. They could target Turner or Verse with their first pick to resolve the edge deficiency. However, I’m hearing they want a WR first.
There may be another issue at Edge. At 27 Latu could be available. He has pass rush potential, but he’s weak against the run. He may end up being just a pass rush specialist. Chop Robinson could be there. He has a huge upside, but at this point is woefully lacking in technique. He will struggle to be effective in the NFL until he acquires a better skillset. The other Robinson, Darius, would likely be there. He also lacks technique but is stronger against the run than the other 2. He is meaner than the others, but doesn’t have the rush ceiling they do. The concern is none of the three likely yields 8 or more sacks in year one. Latu would probably gets the most, but even he is not a certainty to do so. Waiting to pick an Edge at 35 is not practical as there’s a gap beyond these 3 and it’s even conceivable all 3 are gone before 27. If it goes that way, think CB.
I don’t like the re-signing of Wilkinson, but they seem to have moved off an early OT. It wouldn’t shock me if they use pick 35 on a guard straight up or an OT they could play at guard. I also wouldn’t be shocked to see them go CB with this pick, as the board will be favorable.
Also on the horizon is the rumor the Vikes will trade 11 & 23 to the Cards. The 3 key WRs could go 4,5 & 6. If the Cards drop to 11 they’ll have to change tactics. The Cards would then likely shift to Turner at 11. Ossenfort went wild over him at the Combine. They’d take Mitchell at 23, DeJean or Wiggins at 27 and perhaps another WR at 35. I’d only consider that strategy if they signed a veteran receiver like Williams. They need a lead dog. This sequence certainly fills another hole, but fails to gain an offensive impact weapon they badly need. I’d rather trade with the Giants for 6 & 47. The Cards get their WR at 6, an Edge at 27 and at 47 they could take a CB (Lassiter or McKinstry). They could also take a LG candidate, maybe Suamataia or Beebe.
Trade or no trade this draft is set up to alter the Cards future for much of the next decade. It’s a deep draft and the Cards have a plethora of picks. With a handful of the right picks this team could be well on their way to the playoffs.
They appear to have done a good free agency job of targeting reliable, steady performers who can help stabilize units. Much of their focus was on defense with a few key offensive players. Overall they acquired some players with upside, but mostly not likely future Pro Bowl players. They followed the expected pattern of focusing on the trenches. However, they’ve left some critical areas to address.
The most glaring remaining concerns are WR and Edge. At WR they signed Chris Moore and he should help provide depth. My understanding is the Cards will target a WR with their first pick, but a good trade offer could impact which of the top 3 receivers they select. It only makes sense to assume they target an Edge with their second pick. They could target Turner or Verse with their first pick to resolve the edge deficiency. However, I’m hearing they want a WR first.
There may be another issue at Edge. At 27 Latu could be available. He has pass rush potential, but he’s weak against the run. He may end up being just a pass rush specialist. Chop Robinson could be there. He has a huge upside, but at this point is woefully lacking in technique. He will struggle to be effective in the NFL until he acquires a better skillset. The other Robinson, Darius, would likely be there. He also lacks technique but is stronger against the run than the other 2. He is meaner than the others, but doesn’t have the rush ceiling they do. The concern is none of the three likely yields 8 or more sacks in year one. Latu would probably gets the most, but even he is not a certainty to do so. Waiting to pick an Edge at 35 is not practical as there’s a gap beyond these 3 and it’s even conceivable all 3 are gone before 27. If it goes that way, think CB.
I don’t like the re-signing of Wilkinson, but they seem to have moved off an early OT. It wouldn’t shock me if they use pick 35 on a guard straight up or an OT they could play at guard. I also wouldn’t be shocked to see them go CB with this pick, as the board will be favorable.
Also on the horizon is the rumor the Vikes will trade 11 & 23 to the Cards. The 3 key WRs could go 4,5 & 6. If the Cards drop to 11 they’ll have to change tactics. The Cards would then likely shift to Turner at 11. Ossenfort went wild over him at the Combine. They’d take Mitchell at 23, DeJean or Wiggins at 27 and perhaps another WR at 35. I’d only consider that strategy if they signed a veteran receiver like Williams. They need a lead dog. This sequence certainly fills another hole, but fails to gain an offensive impact weapon they badly need. I’d rather trade with the Giants for 6 & 47. The Cards get their WR at 6, an Edge at 27 and at 47 they could take a CB (Lassiter or McKinstry). They could also take a LG candidate, maybe Suamataia or Beebe.
Trade or no trade this draft is set up to alter the Cards future for much of the next decade. It’s a deep draft and the Cards have a plethora of picks. With a handful of the right picks this team could be well on their way to the playoffs.
