draft guru question

[Jetstream Green]

I know it is early, so I really just want the positions on our draft board that some of you guys think the Cardinals right now have listed by priority on their draft board. In other words, without giving names at this time...what do you think the Cards draft board at the early stages looks like by the position of the players. Something tells me that Whiz and staff still cannot be happy with the pass rush and the age of players like Berry and Okeafor, they probably are targeting a DE/LB pass rush type since it seems this coaching staff believes games are won on both sides of the line itself which I agree. If you think they have a RB at the top, just say HB (that is very possible as anything else at the moment). Just a fun question to see if anyone can get it right. This board has a lot of knowledge, so I thought I would throw out a a question like this and make it more open due to how early in the game it is.

It does not have to be based on much as priority as who the Cards think is the best players on their chart...if you want to give names, do it.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I think the draft is weak in 3-4 OLB talent, which really sucks for us. We are gonna to have to look for some help in that department via FA IMO. Otherwise, we are due for another year of being thrown on at will. I believe Okeafor will be very good in this role, and think most of the posters here are forgetting that that is a natural position for him. He also doesn't have health issues. He takes great care of his body and a had one big injury. Hopefully he bounces back and helps, but regardless we need some youth and speed at the position.

We could use some speed at wideout. I like Avery in the draft if he is available in the second.

Cromartie is looking like a stat CB and I like Cherilous at OT. We could also use some real help at OG.

As far as the RBs go, I like Stewart, Mendenhall, Jones and Charles (McFadden will be long gone).

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I don't think the post-mortem on the season is complete at this time, and only when this process, which involves evaluating players, coaches and management, will they begin addressing the issues.

What is the most pressing need and how can it be addressed?
Who do we retain or attempt to retain from the past seasons' roster?

When these questions are answered they're in position to formulate a free agency strategy and the first draft, so to speak... of how they'll approach the draft.

 

[BigRedRage]

We should trade all of our draft picks for cash.

 

[Capital Card]

Although it goes against the grain of the board, I don't see DE-OLB as being the weakness many others do, for the following reasons:

1. I think Pace showed this year that he can contribute in Clancy's system.

2. I think a platoon system with both Berry & Okeafor at the other OLB spot might save at least one and maybe both to make it though an entire season. (I would push Berry to restructure at a much lower base salary though - he's not going to get big money anywhere else at this point in his career.)

3. At DE, I think Smith is vastly under-rated.... I'm not saying he is a probowler, but I don't think he is, in any way, a liability on the field.

4. Dockett IS a probowler.

We NEED to pick up an OG and a S in free agency. I like "Antron" Rolle as a nickel-corner, and am currious to see him get reps at S in the preseason; however, we can not go into the 2008 season relying on him to make a successful switch.

OG isn't quite the need as S, but I think we will see the biggest impact to the offense by acquiring the services of a savy vet OG such as Fanacca.

Finally, I don't like any of our TE's as starters. Bring Pope in as an extra receiver in the red-zone, but that is it. The rest will be luck to be journeymen back-ups for several teams over the next five years.

Back to the thread question, as far as our "need" this offseason, in order of importance, put me down for:

#1 Safety
#2 TE
#3 OG

Of those three, I'd only take a chance on TE seeing significan starting time in the draft. I'm crossing my fingers for TE-Fred Davis (USC) to fall to us in the 2nd, (Hey, who thought we'd get Leinart at 10), and I wouldn't be upset with TE-Martin Rucker (Mizzou) at the same spot.

As for the rest of the draft..... BPA.

Go Cards!!!

 

[abomb]

We should trade all of our draft picks for cash.

Sarver?

 

[slanidrac16]

I'm thinking the Cards brass will look to upgrade the defense. By farour weakest link on the defense is FS.
Now, does the staff really believe Rolle can step into that position. Remember, he seemed to have found his niche. Would it be wise to move him knowing we will lose him for the role he filled and not knowing if he will do as well learning a new position?
I say leave him where he is and either go after a FS in free agency( although that didn't work last year), or grab one very early in the draft.

I tivoed and watch both the Seattle and Steeler game and came away impressed. We owned the HAwks in the first half and were able to hold them to 2 fg's and force a huge TO late in that game. In the Steeler game we completely shut down PArker and sacked Rothlisberger 4 times and should have had him 3 other times.
My point is when we were healthy, we played pretty good D. I think the Cards will look to add depth to aging but still productive starters and areas where we got hurt a lot.
That would be Okeafor, Berry, and Edge and offensive line.

So much could and will change before the draft. But based on draft as we stand now, I say we go

RB, FS. OLB and OL, not in any particular order. BPA will determine that. It is very possible we go RB first because if anything happens to Edge we would be screwed , blued and tattooed. I think that is where we are most vulnerable.