Draft Preview: QB

[Jetstream Green]

As far as later round projects go, i really like David Fales out of San Jose State.
IMO he has the smarts, the gunslinger mentality and accuracy that might overcome his average arm strength. He would fit nicely into a West coast offense. He would likely have to hold a clipboard for a couple years though.

I value straight up production over competition level with a lot of these draft prospects.

For the most part the air in the stadium stays the same regardless of the competition and it is about throwing the ball lol

 

[Jetstream Green]

So if keim thinks mettenberger is the QBOF he will take him in the 1st?
I think they want be the 1st team playing superbowl at home,they need a pass rusher to make this defense the best in the business

If you truly believe Mettenberger is a franchise QB, you take him right away unless you do not see the Cardinals as your long term investment. Arians is a older guy but I do not see this man with his passion thinking he only has 5 years left and if that is the case, why play for a window of opportunity when you envision a wide door of opportunity for a house you intend to live in for a while lol

 

[Jetstream Green]

and I'm not saying there is a QB in this draft the Cardinals think is a franchise QB and not a 'maybe sort of' developmental pick. I do not know because I'm not BASK, but if they think so... then get your man, if not then get that pass rusher

 

[mojorizen7]

For the most part the air in the stadium stays the same regardless of the competition and it is about throwing the ball lol

Agreed. We also need to realize that some of these kids are just late bloomers and are understandably passed over by the big time recruiting schools. Often these late bloomers will transfer to bigger schools, but not always.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

It has been well reported locally that the Cards really like Manziel. If he slides to 20 I have no doubt they will take him.

 

[Totally_Red]

Drafting a quarterback

Kent Somers said a couple weeks ago that he feels it is no better than 50-50 that the Cardinals draft a quarterback this year mainly because they only have six picks.

Personally, I'm highly doubtful they draft a quarterback in the FIRST round period. In the second or third round, maybe if they all fall in love with someone. But realistically unless Zach Mettenberg falls to them in the third round, I'm not sure they take a quarterback at all. And that is because B.A. loves Carson Palmer and professes to like Drew Stanton. And if B.A. doesn't buy in, I'm not sure Steve Keim forces a quarterback on him.

The 2000-pound elephant in the room is how does Carson Palmer feel about playing beyond 2014. I'm sure B.A. and Steve Keim have had or will have that conversation with him pre-draft. If Carson is lukewarm about his extending his career beyond 2014, then obviously a QBOTF is a serious 2014 draft consideration including Derek Carr in the first round..

 

[Chopper0080]

Kent Somers said a couple weeks ago that he feels it is no better than 50-50 that the Cardinals draft a quarterback this year mainly because they only have six picks.

Personally, I'm highly doubtful they draft a quarterback in the FIRST round period. In the second or third round, maybe if they all fall in love with someone. But realistically unless Zach Mettenberg falls to them in the third round, I'm not sure they take a quarterback at all. And that is because B.A. loves Carson Palmer and professes to like Drew Stanton. And if B.A. doesn't buy in, I'm not sure Steve Keim forces a quarterback on him.

The 2000-pound elephant in the room is how does Carson Palmer feel about playing beyond 2014. I'm sure B.A. and Steve Keim have had or will have that conversation with him pre-draft. If Carson is lukewarm about his extending his career beyond 2014, then obviously a QBOTF is a serious 2014 draft consideration including Derek Carr in the first round..

Why would it matter if Palmer has plans to play beyond 2014 or not? Do we really think there won't be a McCarron, Savage, Mettenberger level QB available in the 2015 draft? Why not spend picks in 2014 towards improving the overall roster and then deal with the future in the future. Drafting Dockett's replacement is different than drafting Palmer's. A sub DE should get rotational game/practice reps throughout the year, while a rookie QB would not. You are wasting a top 100 pick on a guy who you will have to wait a year on to determine what he can do. Use the pick to solidify the roster and if we need to upgrade QB in 2015, we can be agressive in the draft to do just that.

Taking a guy in rounds 5 or later is one thing, but taking a guy in rounds 2 or 3 to be your #3 QB is stupid unless you have a really deep roster.

 

[kerouac9]

Why would it matter if Palmer has plans to play beyond 2014 or not? Do we really think there won't be a McCarron, Savage, Mettenberger level QB available in the 2015 draft? Why not spend picks in 2014 towards improving the overall roster and then deal with the future in the future. Drafting Dockett's replacement is different than drafting Palmer's. A sub DE should get rotational game/practice reps throughout the year, while a rookie QB would not. You are wasting a top 100 pick on a guy who you will have to wait a year on to determine what he can do. Use the pick to solidify the roster and if we need to upgrade QB in 2015, we can be agressive in the draft to do just that.

Taking a guy in rounds 5 or later is one thing, but taking a guy in rounds 2 or 3 to be your #3 QB is stupid unless you have a really deep roster.

This! There's nothing special about any of the prospects in this class except Manziel, and I'm not sure that he's worth the risk if I'm picking in the Top 12.

 

[cardncubfan]

Carson Palmer
December 27, 1979 (age 34)

Any trade out of the first round means that Cards lose 1-year on the contract.

Thank you. I was about to post the same thing.

 

[oaken1]

Palmer is two years younger than Brady.....IMO he can give the team 3-4 more productive years and I believe he will as long as they want him around.

BA has said early round QB's should start, but he also knows his offense is complicated to pick up.....and he really likes Palmer,....so I am fairly sure he would not be against sitting a young guy for a year or two to learn.....because rookie QB's can get reps...running the practice team....and they are still in all of the meetings learning the offense.

 

[CardLogic]

... if you do not think a QB is worth spending your first round pick on them, to me it says you do not really believe he is a franchise QB

Ding, ding, ding.

and I'm not saying there is a QB in this draft the Cardinals think is a franchise QB and not a 'maybe sort of' developmental pick. I do not know because I'm not BASK, but if they think so... then get your man, if not then get that pass rusher

I like your thinking on this topic.

 

[cardpa]

It has been well reported locally that the Cards really like Manziel. If he slides to 20 I have no doubt they will take him.

Since I don't live in AZ I have no idea what the local media is saying however that said I just don't see the Cardinals selecting Manziel at #20. Look at the !st and 2nd QBs on the team now. Both tall in the pocket QBs who fit the type of offense BA runs. Manziel is none of that. I firmly do not believe that after building an offense that revolves around a pocket passer that you select a scrambling running QB and have to change your entire offense to fit his skills. It just doesn't make sense.

 

[Mitch]

Since I don't live in AZ I have no idea what the local media is saying however that said I just don't see the Cardinals selecting Manziel at #20. Look at the !st and 2nd QBs on the team now. Both tall in the pocket QBs who fit the type of offense BA runs. Manziel is none of that. I firmly do not believe that after building an offense that revolves around a pocket passer that you select a scrambling running QB and have to change your entire offense to fit his skills. It just doesn't make sense.

I hear you. PA.

However, BA isn't as black and white as he appears to be. Last year, he said he prefers his RB to block rather than go out for passes, and then along comes Ellington and suddenly the RB is being used primarily as a receiver.

BA said he would never run the Wildcat. Then, about mid-season, we see the Cardinals running a Wildcat.

Bottom line is---if BA can create an advantage to win football games---he is going to do it. If he thinks that Manziel would give him an advantage, he would want him.

Plus, you cannot be a coach in America today and not be intrigued and fascinated with Johnny Manziel. You can be happy as all get-out with your Sony Walkman---but when the iPod comes along---it takes you to a new level of fascination.

The era of the mobile QB is on. It gives teams a competitive edge, because it is the antidote to all-out, relentless defensive pressure (which in the NFL has never been so fast, furious and intense).

 

[GuernseyCard]

I hear you. PA.

However, BA isn't as black and white as he appears to be. Last year, he said he prefers his RB to block rather than go out for passes, and then along comes Ellington and suddenly the RB is being used primarily as a receiver.

BA said he would never run the Wildcat. Then, about mid-season, we see the Cardinals running a Wildcat.

Bottom line is---if BA can create an advantage to win football games---he is going to do it. If he thinks that Manziel would give him an advantage, he would want him.

Plus, you cannot be a coach in America today and not be intrigued and fascinated with Johnny Manziel. You can be happy as all get-out with your Sony Walkman---but when the iPod comes along---it takes you to a new level of fascination.

The era of the mobile QB is on. It gives teams a competitive edge, because it is the antidote to all-out, relentless defensive pressure (which in the NFL has never been so fast, furious and intense).

On your last point: A solid O-line and a QB who moves well in the pocket is also a proven antidote.

 

[Mitch]

On your last point: A solid O-line and a QB who moves well in the pocket is also a proven antidote.

I should have said "an answer"...not "the answer." Mea culpa.

 

[WildBB]

This! There's nothing special about any of the prospects in this class except Manziel, and I'm not sure that he's worth the risk if I'm picking in the Top 12.

That's a cop out statement, if there isn't any obvious #1 pick at the position.

If Foles had been in a class without Luck and Griffen in it, would you say the same thing?

There are some prospects out there with a good base of skills to be developed. It'll take a year or two in the system with steady reps.

If we wait until we have the 32nd pick next year how many more options do you have?

 

[Chopper0080]

That's a cop out statement, if there isn't any obvious #1 pick at the position.

If Foles had been in a class without Luck and Griffen in it, would you say the same thing?

There are some prospects out there with a good base of skills to be developed. It'll take a year or two in the system with steady reps.

If we wait until we have the 32nd pick next year how many more options do you have?

The point is that at least for one year, that QB won't get steady reps. That is the reality of the NFL. Palmer isn't giving up reps to a rookie QB and a Arians brought in a backup like Stanton so he wouldn't have to. It is why taking a QB in the first 100 picks who is not going to legitimately challenge for the starting spot is silly. Seattle had a pretty deep roster and a questionable QB when they took Wilson. That is the exception, not the rule.

and when we are drafting 32nd and Palmer is riding his white horse out of town with a ring, we can afford to make an agressive move up the draft board to get a QB with a solid set of skills. But let's worry about that bridge when we have to cross it.

 

[Totally_Red]

Why would it matter if Palmer has plans to play beyond 2014 or not? Do we really think there won't be a McCarron, Savage, Mettenberger level QB available in the 2015 draft? Why not spend picks in 2014 towards improving the overall roster and then deal with the future in the future. Drafting Dockett's replacement is different than drafting Palmer's. A sub DE should get rotational game/practice reps throughout the year, while a rookie QB would not. You are wasting a top 100 pick on a guy who you will have to wait a year on to determine what he can do. Use the pick to solidify the roster and if we need to upgrade QB in 2015, we can be agressive in the draft to do just that.

Taking a guy in rounds 5 or later is one thing, but taking a guy in rounds 2 or 3 to be your #3 QB is stupid unless you have a really deep roster.

The guy gets a year to absorb B.A.'s offense.

I'm 100% for not spending a draft choice on a quarterback THIS draft because it not going to help the team at all in 2014. But if this is Palmer's last season in red, then I'd seriously consider drafting one in the 3rd or 4th rounds.

However, 2015 makes a lot of sense in several ways. The 2015 quarterback draft class is going to much stronger than this year IMO. And the Cardinals will have a lot clearer picture of how much Palmer has left. And it's the last year of the Ryan Lindley and Drew Stanton contracts.

 

[kerouac9]

That's a cop out statement, if there isn't any obvious #1 pick at the position.

If Foles had been in a class without Luck and Griffen in it, would you say the same thing?

There are some prospects out there with a good base of skills to be developed. It'll take a year or two in the system with steady reps.

If we wait until we have the 32nd pick next year how many more options do you have?

I don't think that Foles is a special player, either, so I don't really understand what your point is. There's a difference between using a first-round pick on a player and a late-third round pick. Foles was the 7th quarterback taken in that draft class.

I don't think you take a quarterback prospect "with a good base of skills to be developed" in the first round, and probably not in the second. There just isn't enough time to get a feel for a guy who isn't playing for a year or two, and you could be getting a prospect who is going to be able to contribute--at least on special teams.

If a quarterback who's taken in the middle to late rounds doesn't start until year 2 or 3, he's going to be looking for $9-12M per season without having a lot of proven reps on the field--you're seeing this with Kaepernick and the 49ers and he was a 2nd round pick.

You're seeing the same thing with Ryan Mallett with the Pats. He doesn't have any trade value on a one-year rental. What value the Pats will get out of that 2nd round(?) pick is four seasons knowing that they have someone to back up Tom Brady. Wouldn't greater value have been a wide receiver or tight end?

 

[oaken1]

I don't think that Foles is a special player, either, so I don't really understand what your point is. There's a difference between using a first-round pick on a player and a late-third round pick. Foles was the 7th quarterback taken in that draft class.

I don't think you take a quarterback prospect "with a good base of skills to be developed" in the first round, and probably not in the second. There just isn't enough time to get a feel for a guy who isn't playing for a year or two, and you could be getting a prospect who is going to be able to contribute--at least on special teams.

If a quarterback who's taken in the middle to late rounds doesn't start until year 2 or 3, he's going to be looking for $9-12M per season without having a lot of proven reps on the field--you're seeing this with Kaepernick and the 49ers and he was a 2nd round pick.

You're seeing the same thing with Ryan Mallett with the Pats. He doesn't have any trade value on a one-year rental. What value the Pats will get out of that 2nd round(?) pick is four seasons knowing that they have someone to back up Tom Brady. Wouldn't greater value have been a wide receiver or tight end?

Not if they believe Mallet is the guy to actually REPLACE Brady...... everyone around here seams to think Palmer is in his last season or two,...but Brady is two years older than Palmer,....the pats need an answer for that as Brady is in his home stretch.....as far as contracts,...it is not out of bounds to think they offer a guy like Mallet 3-5 million a year on a shorter contract just so they can see if he can handle the starting role...then bump him or dump him based on performance. It would not surprise me at all to see the Pats draft another QB this year either.

was the only value of having Rodgers on the bench in knowing you had a Favre backup?....kinda looks like his value increases every season.

 

[kerouac9]

Not if they believe Mallet is the guy to actually REPLACE Brady...... everyone around here seams to think Palmer is in his last season or two,...but Brady is two years older than Palmer,....the pats need an answer for that as Brady is in his home stretch.....as far as contracts,...it is not out of bounds to think they offer a guy like Mallet 3-5 million a year on a shorter contract just so they can see if he can handle the starting role...then bump him or dump him based on performance. It would not surprise me at all to see the Pats draft another QB this year either.

was the only value of having Rodgers on the bench in knowing you had a Favre backup?....kinda looks like his value increases every season.

If the Pats believe that, then why do they float his name in trade rumors every February? I guess we'll see if and when they re-sign him. If Mallett really believes that he's a starting-caliber player, why would he settle for $3M per year on a short-term deal when he could get at least double that on the open market?

As for Rodgers, that was his value the first three seasons, but the Packers were also able to develop him as Favre spent every offseason at this ranch in Mississippi. And when the Packers extended Rodgers' contract, they got a stupid-cheap deal that they only extended last season.

 

[oaken1]

If the Pats believe that, then why do they float his name in trade rumors every February? I guess we'll see if and when they re-sign him. If Mallett really believes that he's a starting-caliber player, why would he settle for $3M per year on a short-term deal when he could get at least double that on the open market?

As for Rodgers, that was his value the first three seasons, but the Packers were also able to develop him as Favre spent every offseason at this ranch in Mississippi. And when the Packers extended Rodgers' contract, they got a stupid-cheap deal that they only extended last season.

I don't know if that is what the Pats believe now or not but my guess is they believed it when they made the draft pick...we all know they do not always work out and some never reach the potential that is seen in them.

IMO,....this staff we currently have has the skill and knowledge to coach a pocket passing QB up to his maximum potential....and I for one, as a fan, would really love it if we never missed a beat if Palmer happened to go down for some reason.....even if it were with a more simplified version of the offense for a while.....reps help a QB with his timing in regards to hitting his receivers but routes such as curls, stops, bubble screens and slants negate the need for such timing and help young QB's build confidence and gain rhythm.



I like Pryor in this draft,...but I see good safety talent in round two...which leads me to believe the team will go with a LBer....but IMO it will take a stroke of luck for a worthy pass rushing backer to fall to us at 20.....so if you can get a good safety in the second,....and none of the badass pass rushers fall to 20......why not spend the pick on a QB if one is there?

secondary help will be there in abundance in the second round....quality D-line help will be there in the third...even decent LB's....guys like Sutton, Reilly, Bradford, Murphy or DaQuan Jones...
the fourth and fifth rounds will be full of RB's, o-line and wr's...likely even a couple blocking TE's

the biggest "Difference maker" we could draft at 20 would be a pass rusher....if he doesn't slip to us,...why not draft a QB if the staff feels they can make him into our guy with a year of coaching?

 

[Chopper0080]

The guy gets a year to absorb B.A.'s offense.

I'm 100% for not spending a draft choice on a quarterback THIS draft because it not going to help the team at all in 2014. But if this is Palmer's last season in red, then I'd seriously consider drafting one in the 3rd or 4th rounds.

However, 2015 makes a lot of sense in several ways. The 2015 quarterback draft class is going to much stronger than this year IMO. And the Cardinals will have a lot clearer picture of how much Palmer has left. And it's the last year of the Ryan Lindley and Drew Stanton contracts.

Absorb BA's offense? If you are taking the right guy in the top few rounds, it shouldn't take a year and it won't be done on the bench. Few players develop by not getting game or practice reps and a QB drafted this year will likely not get either.

A 4th rounder or later I get, but I don't see the value in using a top 100 pick to draft a QB this year when you could just use a top 32 pick in 2015 to get the same thing.

 

[PACardsFan]

I'm now firmly in the camp thinking that we should draft a QB with the 20th pick. I think this franchise learned the hard way with the Warner situation that you need to plan well in advance when it comes to the QB position. I know that Arians has indicated that we're set at the QB position & we should strengthen ourselves at other positions in order to make a run at a Championship. That may have a measure of truth to it, but Arians is 60+ years old & he certainly isn't as concerned about the longterm stability of this franchise as perhaps Michael Bidwill is. Bidwill saw first hand how bad a team can become when a Pro Bowl QB retires & there's garbage waiting in the wings. I don't think he'll let that happen again.

This team is talented enough to take a QB at 20 & then add depth to the roster the rest of the draft. Take that route & we can still compete for a Championship right now & have a solid QBOF waiting to take over. Furthermore, can Palmer really be the guy to take us to the promised land? I don't think so. He's never been a clutch QB, nor will he ever be a clutch QB. He's not even remotely as good as Warner was. Let's not kid ourselves. Of the top 4-5 QB's, take whoever is still there at 20! If none are there, which is unlikely, then go with BPA.

 

[Reddog]

I hear you. PA.

You can be happy as all get-out with your Sony Walkman---but when the iPod comes along---it takes you to a new level of fascination.

I don't know which QB we take but I have to believe we draft Palmer's eventual replacement this year even if BASK feel they can find him in the later rounds. We are too quick to forget the hell we were in with no QB solution to be had.

Sony Walkman? We were jammin to the 8 -Track of QBs before and after Warner and we can't get stuck back in that place again.