2025 4th round pick is Cody Simon LB

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Okay… it’s kinda comical at this point how much we’ve ignored the offense all off-season.

It is pretty stark. Not much in free agency and zero draft so far.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

If you want to blitz from there just move Butch inside. He’ll get there and if they run a draw he’s more likely to make the tackle.

Never felt the need to follow the herd. I don’t hate him. I just don’t think he sees the field except special teams. He can’t cover passes. He’ll have trouble staying healthy against the physical nature of the NFL. He’s a great teammate and can play special teams. He plays okay going downhill but is otherwise limited. He likely will struggle to tackle NFL rushers. There were much better players on the board.

Fair enough evaluation

We'll get to see how this all plays out

Hopefully he surprises us all

 

[Chopper0080]

Okay… it’s kinda comical at this point how much we’ve ignored the offense all off-season.

Players have to step up. Team obviously feels the talent is there.

 

[Chopper0080]

Okay… it’s kinda comical at this point how much we’ve ignored the offense all off-season.

Players have to step up. Team obviously feels the talent is there.

 

[unseenaz]

Players have to step up. Team obviously feels the talent is there.

I would like to see the competition added to the o line.. the other groups on offense I agree though.

 

[oaken1]

it lines up with the plan I laid out last year to fix the offense in 24 and the defense in 25. The big surprise was drafting Robinson instead of an OT.
But we should see improvement from Adams and Jones along the line...then Marv should get more comfortable as well as Benson.
Other than lacking a legit deep threat the biggest issue was missed connections. That has to be cleaned up. If we can keep our ground production and get Kyler to 250 yards a game in the passing game our offense will be pretty good.
But with the way this defense is shaping up we shouldnt have to score more than 20 points a game..maybe not more than 17

 

[ajcardfan]

Players have to step up. Team obviously feels the talent is there.

Our offense was #11 in yards and #12 in points last year. So there is a logic to going all in on defense. The offense should improve with continuity.

 

[Harry]

Fair enough evaluation

We'll get to see how this all plays out

Hopefully he surprises us all

I’d be okay with being wrong. I remember in 1989………..

 

[Harry]

Our offense was #11 in yards and #12 in points last year. So there is a logic to going all in on defense. The offense should improve with continuity.

Not sure they will have continuity on the Oline.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Would not have taken him. Here’s my post from the other thread. T Rex arms, mediocre pursuit speed, sheds poorly, poor tackler. This guy screams special teams to me. Too early for that. He could be used to blitz on passing downs, but is that really a need. Only 15 college starts, not likely to see time at LB

Alright let's do the over / under again.

I will set it at 35.5 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Those were Barnes numbers

 

[kerouac9]

But with the way this defense is shaping up we shouldnt have to score more than 20 points a game..maybe not more than 17

2024’s top defense (LAC) allowed 17.7 ppg

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I will take the over on tackles and the under on sacks. I don't think we blitz as much with the Dline we have

 

[ajcardfan]

Not sure they will have continuity on the Oline.

I think looks more likely that Hernandez will be back which would return the starting line from last season. Even if he doesn't, I think they see Adams as returning starter also. I don't like Adams that much, but I think they do.

 

[oaken1]

2024’s top defense (LAC) allowed 17.7 ppg

yeah...and despite our complete lack of talent in the front seven, and lack of experience in the secondary...we were borderline top 10 defense.... what did we end the season at...13?
I dont think its unrealistic that if the new guys play as hard as last years guys we can expect a top 10 defense surely...and maybe even top 3

The biggest benefit however will be in giving Kyler and the offense more opportunities to score. Thus, by proxy...these defensive additions should make our offense better.

 

[kerouac9]

yeah...and despite our complete lack of talent in the front seven, and lack of experience in the secondary...we were borderline top 10 defense.... what did we end the season at...13?
I dont think its unrealistic that if the new guys play as hard as last years guys we can expect a top 10 defense surely...and maybe even top 3

The biggest benefit however will be in giving Kyler and the offense more opportunities to score. Thus, by proxy...these defensive additions should make our offense better.

We finished last year 15

 

[BACH]

Consensus #138 overall.

Analysis:

Cody Simon was highly productive at Ohio State. A rotational player for much of his career, Simon took on a full-time role in 2024 and more than delivered. Strong run defender and pass-rusher. Struggles more in coverage. The Cardinals are thin at linebacker so Simon could see playing time sooner rather than later.

Bio:

Simon is a traditional inside linebacker who is most comfortable between the tackles. His run fits are sound, and he generally is where he has to be to impact the game. He has high coverage grades from defending running backs in the flat, but his coverage grade drops significantly when asked to perform more difficult coverage responsibilities. He is a smaller linebacker in terms of weight, which shows up when taking on blocks.

He also appears to have shorter arms than average, which affects how well he gets off blocks and wraps up ball carriers. He could stand to play with more violence at contact, but he does do it occasionally. He does have a nice first step and some quick movements but lacks some long speed to be a difference-making pursuit player. He does have some slipperiness between offensive linemen when blitzing the A and B gaps.

Need pick and added depth in the thinnest room on the roster.

There has been a huge discussion on White on the board. I stand by my opinion. Good run defending ILBs with subpar coverage skills is the easiest position to find in the league. Smart, captain and a hard worker. He can very well be as good as white in a year.

I wanted Chris Paul, who was ranked slightly higher and is more balanced. But again. Gannon has a style

 

[Cheesebeef]

Our offense was #11 in yards and #12 in points last year. So there is a logic to going all in on defense. The offense should improve with continuity.

When you’re still sitting on 27 million bucks in cap space, there’s no logic in not going all in on both. Shouldn’t be an either/or situation, especially since we’re depending heavily on two guys coming back from knee injuries… one of which we haven’t even signed yet.

 

[BACH]

When you’re still sitting on 27 million bucks in cap space, there’s no logic in not going all in on both. Shouldn’t be an either/or situation, especially since we’re depending heavily on two guys coming back from knee injuries… one of which we haven’t even signed yet.

Except you have more way more depth with potential on O.

 

[ajcardfan]

When you’re still sitting on 27 million bucks in cap space, there’s no logic in not going all in on both. Shouldn’t be an either/or situation, especially since we’re depending heavily on two guys coming back from knee injuries… one of which we haven’t even signed yet.

I was talking about the draft only.

I agree we could've spent more in free agency on offense.

 

[MadCardDisease]

NFL draft: Sixteen Day 3 picks who could compete for starter snaps as rookies

Rank 3

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Cody Simon
Ohio State · LB

Arizona Cardinals

Drafted: Round 4, No. 115

Kyzir White's contract ran out and he remains unsigned, creating an opening in the Cardinals' linebacker corps. Simon can drop into coverage effectively and looks like he's shot out of a cannon when blitzing in the A-gap or coming off the edge. I suspect he'll be a factor on special teams and should be lining up with the 1s at some point in the season, if not for the opener.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

My concerns with Simon are:
He’s not all that big or fast.
He couldn’t get on the field for 4 years.
He was not a focal point of the other team because of all the DL talent around him. Which allowed him to roam free.

My likes about him.
He’s a great guy and leader and a hard worker. If he’s successful, he’ll be a team captain.
Had a very good year.
James Lauranaitis was promoted to LB coach this past year and I think they have similar profiles(even though James was much more productive)so maybe the light from coaching went on and he’ll continue to improve.

From a Cards perspective, I think ceiling is Ronald McKinnon. Floor is Buster Davis.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Floor is Buster Davis.

Big oof

 

[juza76]

Big oof

Its a collapsed floor

 

[Bkbobo]

Well he had Buster in his name. What do you expect?

 

[football karma]

Floor is Buster Davis.

getting cut coming out of his first training camp

thats quite the floor. Is there a lower floor, absent a felony?