Draft Scenario: What would you do?

[Chopper0080]

I was thinking on another thread on what scenario could emerge that would really force the Cardinals to seriously consider a QB at 5 even though the top one might not be available. Here is the scenario, tell me who you would like and why. Keep in mind that at this point trading down is not an option.

How horrible would this be...

1-Carolina-Patrick Peterson-CB
2-Denver-Robert Quinn-DE
3-Buffalo-Von Miller-OLB
4-Cincinnati-Blaine Gabbert-QB
5-Arizona-?

I would think that the top players to consider would be Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Marcel Dareus, AJ Green, DaQuan Bowers, Nick Fairley at this point. I will break them down individually below.

Cam Newton-QB:
-The Cardinals need better QB play in general, and we haven't' seen enough of John Skelton to risk our future on his development. Cam Newton brings a big, physical presence to the QB position along with a recent history of winning, two championships in two college seasons. However he has less then 300 passing attempts in major college football, and ran an extremely simple offense at Auburn. A huge question with Cam is how long will it take him to learn the professional game. Along with this question is how will he adjust to the NFL lifestyle. Cam has some significant character issues in college, and while we all make mistakes as young men, you have to wonder how he will react when he starts receiving NFL dollars. Experts really disagree where to rank Cam as he has been described as a potential number 1 pick as well as a 2nd round project.

Jake Locker-QB:
-A very athletic QB who brings a pretty solid skill set to the NFL. He played 4 years of major college football which means he should have the experience to make a quick transition to the NFL. However in those 4 years Jake Locker's performance left something to be desired. He was very inaccurate, and wasn't able to elevate his team to the level that some envisioned. Many have stated that his accuracy issues actually stem from his baseball background and are very correctable though history shows us that QB's with accuracy issues is college have even more accuracy issues in the pros. Most experts believe that Locker projects as a mid to late first rounder.

DaQuan Bowers-DE:
-Arguably the best player in the draft, Bowers has seen his stock drop a bit lately due to his recovery from a knee injury this year. A prototype 4-3 defensive end, Bowers really doesn't fit the Cardinals 3-4 scheme even though he seems to possess the pass rushing skills the Cardinals need. One major red flag that is rarely mentioned is that in three years of college football Bowers has only 6.5 more sacks than Robert Quinn had in two years, and has the same number of seasons with double digit sacks, one. Experts view him as a top 10 pick.

Marcel Dareus-DT
-Has probably moved to the best player available among the options that are on the board here. Dareus is not a prototypical DE for the 3-4, but has showed enough ability to anchor and athleticism that me might be able to swing across all three positions on a 3-4 defensive line. Dareus has been praised for having great hands, a very good motor, being a natural leader, and has shown the toughness to play hurt. Big, fast, and powerful are always a need on defensive lines, but with the Cardinals investing big money into Darnell Dockett, first round money into Dan Williams, and have the contract of Calias Campbell coming up next year (potentially) Dareus might be a bit of a luxury. More than that, if the Cardinals took Dareus and then decided that they had too much money invested along the defensive line, they might allow Calais Campbell to walk which would be letting another young player with potential go. Experts view him as a top 10 pick.

Nick Fairley-DT
-More of a prototypical 3-4 DE, Fairley has the length that most coaches want in a 3-4 end. He has a tremendous speed/strength combination, but scouts have doubted his motor. He has been described as a typical Juco player that has great size, but questionable substance. Questions about his attitude and technique have also been raised over this past year, and has only started 16 games in major college football. Players and scouts have labeled Fairley as a cheap shot artist. Does not seem to have the skill set to anchor at the nose. Drafting him has the same ramifications for the Cardinals defensive line that Dareus has. Experts view him as a top 10 pick.

AJ Green-WR
-A tremendous prospect at WR, Green has the size and speed that can stretch the field vertically in the pros. He has very good hands can both out run and out jump defenders. Not a very sudden receiver though, and seems to run with a longer stride which slows him in and out of breaks. Plays a very similar game down the field as Fitz, but not as solid of a route runner. Plays a position that is very dependent on the skill of the quarterback, which is a real issue for the Cardinals. Taking a WR, even a top one like Green, might be a naive move by the Cardinals as they wouldn't have a top option to get him the ball. Experts view him as a top 10 pick.

*

Of all of these choices, I really am torn between the QB's and Marcel Dareus. If I thought that we would have a rookie cap and that the Cardinals would resign Campbell, I would be all for Dareus. He looks like he can play both DE positions and sub at NT, which would enable the Cardinals to keep the defensive line fresh throughout the game. Our defensive line would be a strength like the Patriots was with Seymour, Wilfork, and Warren years ago. But I think that if the Cardinals drafted Dareus they would end up letting Campbell go. The QB's make sense because of the obvious need for the Cardinals to upgrade the position, but both come with significant issues. Locker has the ideal experience in an offense that translates to the pro game, but hasn't shined like you would have hoped. Newton shined, but did so for only one season and in an offense that asked him to do very little of what he will need to do in the pros.

My pick: Jake Locker-QB
*His criticism is almost solely due to his accuracy issues which I think are uncommonly correctable. Most of his issues are attributed to his stride length, and if that is the case, then he should have no problem making the adjustment now that he can focus on it full time. He has tremendous feet which bodes well for his transition to the NFL, and also has the arm strength that seems to be needed. His athleticism reminds me of Aaron Rodgers, and should be able to bail out our poor offensive line like Rodgers has done for the Packers. He also seems like he has the toughness and attitude to become a professional QB. Ideally you would trade back and take him, but that isn't an option in this scenario. Also, I believe that Mike Mayock said it best, if he is a good enough QB to take at 10, then he is good enough to take at 1.

What would you do?

 

[Shane]

Take Cam Newton!

 

[Mainstreet]

If Newton is on the draft board at #5, I draft him. There are no guarantees another pick will be an impact player. It will be an exciting pick for the fans. He will likely need to be developed for a few seasons but I'm willing to wait. The Cardinals can then bring in a veteran QB knowing they have Skleton and Newton behind him.

 

[Buckybird]

1) I don't think there's a chance in hell Peterson goes #1 & if I'm not mistaken no CB ever has. The financial committment to a CB as the #1 overall pick would be insane.

2) I would either pick Dareus of Green

3) If the Cards drafted Locker at #5, Mr B. better change the locks to the doors on Hardy & Warner Drive & not give Wiz or Graves a key. The should be fired the instant the selection of Locker was announced. Never will happen though!!!

 

[Seandonic]

Take Cam Newton!

This^

 

[desertdawg]

Take Cam Newton!

I agree (big surprise)!
Newton was gone in my draft, I traded down (passed on Gabbert to do it ) and ended up with Justin Houston and Tyron Smith in the first round. Just picked my second rounder with the 49th pick....Sam Acho. They are pretty good over there, I wanted Kaep but he was gone, Paea was gone too.

I like Acho, great guy and he gets it done. If the Cards finished the first 2 rounds with these three guys....

 

[Stout]

I might just take Dareus there.

 

[Garthshort]

If there is no CBA in place it doesn't make much sense to draft a QB as he would not be able to work out or even study a playbook while a lock out exists. This (QB) is the most study intensive position in football, making this year a wasted year as far as geting production from the player drafted. If you recognize that, and are, in effect, writing off this year then go ahead and draft a QB. It might be a good long term selection, but not this year. JMO.

 

[juza76]

If there is no CBA in place it doesn't make much sense to draft a QB as he would not be able to work out or even study a playbook while a lock out exists. This (QB) is the most study intensive position in football, making this year a wasted year as far as geting production from the player drafted. If you recognize that, and are, in effect, writing off this year then go ahead and draft a QB. It might be a good long term selection, but not this year. JMO.

i think if there is not cba there will be more chance to draft a quarterback in first round..draft prospects are the only players you can see and talk now.. they can bring someone for a visit ,.they could start showing him the playbook and offensive strategy..for a veteran you dont have any chance till new cba and then you dont even know if you can get kolb plamer or orton..because there are others teams ready to trade for them..and please stop with bulger.. ritired from football 3 years ago

 

[Cardiac]

Newton unless investigations tell the FO otherwise. If Newton has to many red flags then Dareus is the pick.

Good OP Chopper. Is the reason Locker had some very stanky games due to is inaccuracy or that he just doesn't have that "it" factor?

 

[Shane]

Newton unless investigations tell the FO otherwise. If Newton has to many red flags then Dareus is the pick.

Good OP Chopper. Is the reason Locker had some very stanky games due to is inaccuracy or that he just doesn't have that "it" factor?

Jake Locker just sucks. His accuracy is VERY bad. To just assume it is correctable by Chopper would be a HUGE mistake.

 

[JeffGollin]

BPA based on past, current and additional scouting info on each kid.

Dareus seems to represent the "safest" of all the top picks but we drafted Dan Williams #1 last year.

Newton (especially since - in terms of impact - QB's are to football teams like pitchers are to baseball teams) has, by far, the biggest upside but also the most questions about his "intangibles" (i.e. his ability to improve enough under capable coaching).

I agree that Bowers might not be that great a fit.

Here's where my instincts would take me:

1. Continue to investigate every nook and cranny of Newton's background, character and mental make-up. If - after intense scrutiny, he comes out clean as a whistle and satisfies the coaches 100% - you gotta take him. If he doesn't provide all the satisfactory answers, well...er...I'm not real big on taking risks at #5.

2. Otherwise, draft Dareus without thinking twice. (I'm assuming he physically grades out as tougher and more powerful than Williams). If so, don't even worry about Williams or a possible logjam at NT. If Dareus is that strong, that's who I'd want my NT to be.

Finally, I wouldn't totally rule out Gabbert without seeing how he does on his pro day and/or team visit (because you never know who will jump up and surprise you).

 

[john h]

Take Cam Newton!

I would also take Newton. I would never use a high pick to take any player who had suffered an injury as you just cannot take that risk at a spot like #5.

I think Newton or Gabbert have a better chance of making it in the NFL than the others. If we do not take a QB with our first pick I would hope to take Mallet with our second pick or make some sort of move to make sure we get him with our second pick. We definitely need a QB we can be grooming to take the team over and not have to depend on Skelton as our QBOTF. Basing our QB of the future on Skelton is a risk I do not want to take. Anyone we sign out of FA is probably going to be a guy who will only be around for perhaps 2-3 years. I do not see us giving away high draft picks to trade for a QB. Realistically we only have about 3 QB's who will fit our needs and be willing to come to Arizona.

 

[THESMEL]

Prince A in that scenerio. He has great skill sets even though not exactly the same as PP. He would not be a regret at # 5. Miller is a smallish OLB pass rush specialist. I want a largish OLB with multiple elite skillsets at #5.

The talent and risk grades are not that large between the best available QB and the leftover that will be available at the 5th pick in the 2nd round.

Yes Newton would be my pick of the top QB's. but it is extremely high risk. I want a safe pro at #5.

 

[john h]

i think if there is not cba there will be more chance to draft a quarterback in first round..draft prospects are the only players you can see and talk now.. they can bring someone for a visit ,.they could start showing him the playbook and offensive strategy..for a veteran you dont have any chance till new cba and then you dont even know if you can get kolb plamer or orton..because there are others teams ready to trade for them..and please stop with bulger.. ritired from football 3 years ago

I do not see Orton being available. The Coach of Denver just said that Orton is his starting QB this year. I tend to believe what he says. I do not see him depending on his rookie to take over this team next year and not even having a decent backup no matter which of the two he starts. I have crossed Orton off my QB list of guys we might get.

I just read the NFL is fully prepared to go the distance money wise. They could play with no CBA and no CAP if the judge makes some crazy ruling. I look at what is happening in Japan then look at millionaires fighting with billionaires on how to split a few extra billion dollars. Is the world crazy or what? The veterans who have already stashed away millions can easily sit out a year. Those young guys who have recently arrived in the NFL are the guys that are going to be hurt the most. If you were to have a vote of every players in the NFL as to whether to lose a season or even two I think players would vote to abandon the union. Most fear being blackballed by the Union if they express their true feelings. Unions tend to operate and stay together using fear tactics. Most want the employers to collect the union dues and then hand them directly to the union. That is what has been thrown out by the new Wisconsin law. State employee union members can negotiate salary but cannot force collection of dues by the employer and negotiate other benefits.

I listened to what the NFL offered on the last offer on the final day. The list was long and included most of the things the players wanted. I believe the number of dollars the owners wanted came down from $1 billion to $600 million. The players union hardly looked at it before de-certifying. They seemed to be determined to strike unless they got everything the wanted. The owners in my opinion did walk the extra mile to make this work. So now we have Manning and a couple of other multi millionaires going to sue the league under the ant-trust laws. They picked the most famous and rich in order to try and hold the players together. You can be sure if this drags out and there is no season there will me some members who will speak out and break the solidarity. I wonder if Manning and the others will pay the salaries of the less fortunate will be losing. For some, this will likely be their last season in the NFL at a big salary. They are not going to thrilled. The last strike we had a number of players crossing the picket line. There comes a time when feeding your family and paying your bills become more important than solidarity.

The fact is the owners did come forth with a decent compromise offer which should have led to further negotiations and an agreement. When the players did not even offer to negotiate on this offer I am no longer on their bandwagon. I lived without the NFL for two years while in Vietnam. I can live without it now. I will miss it but life goes on. Places like Japan could care less about the NFL at this time or maybe for some years to come. The ugly face of greed and more more more more----------- has raised it's ugly face once again.

I bet some of the juniors in the draft may end up wishing they had stayed another year in college.

 

[juza76]

I do not see Orton being available. The Coach of Denver just said that Orton is his starting QB this year. I tend to believe what he says. I do not see him depending on his rookie to take over this team next year and not even having a decent backup no matter which of the two he starts. I have crossed Orton off my QB list of guys we might get.

I just read the NFL is fully prepared to go the distance money wise. They could play with no CBA and no CAP if the judge makes some crazy ruling. I look at what is happening in Japan then look at millionaires fighting with billionaires on how to split a few extra billion dollars. Is the world crazy or what? The veterans who have already stashed away millions can easily sit out a year. Those young guys who have recently arrived in the NFL are the guys that are going to be hurt the most. If you were to have a vote of every players in the NFL as to whether to lose a season or even two I think players would vote to abandon the union. Most fear being blackballed by the Union if they express their true feelings. Unions tend to operate and stay together using fear tactics. Most want the employers to collect the union dues and then hand them directly to the union. That is what has been thrown out by the new Wisconsin law. State employee union members can negotiate salary but cannot force collection of dues by the employer and negotiate other benefits.

I listened to what the NFL offered on the last offer on the final day. The list was long and included most of the things the players wanted. I believe the number of dollars the owners wanted came down from $1 billion to $600 million. The players union hardly looked at it before de-certifying. They seemed to be determined to strike unless they got everything the wanted. The owners in my opinion did walk the extra mile to make this work. So now we have Manning and a couple of other multi millionaires going to sue the league under the ant-trust laws. They picked the most famous and rich in order to try and hold the players together. You can be sure if this drags out and there is no season there will me some members who will speak out and break the solidarity. I wonder if Manning and the others will pay the salaries of the less fortunate will be losing. For some, this will likely be their last season in the NFL at a big salary. They are not going to thrilled. The last strike we had a number of players crossing the picket line. There comes a time when feeding your family and paying your bills become more important than solidarity.

The fact is the owners did come forth with a decent compromise offer which should have led to further negotiations and an agreement. When the players did not even offer to negotiate on this offer I am no longer on their bandwagon. I lived without the NFL for two years while in Vietnam. I can live without it now. I will miss it but life goes on. Places like Japan could care less about the NFL at this time or maybe for some years to come. The ugly face of greed and more more more more----------- has raised it's ugly face once again.

I bet some of the juniors in the draft may end up wishing they had stayed another year in college.

billionaire and millionaire doesnt care about economy problems,they live in their own world..they think just about to get richer or to save their money..i hope somebody.judge or president could show them how ridicolous they are with this stupid controversy..there is a limit in evrything.and this fight between them is a really bad message to the world.a lot of people in this world fight evryday and work hours and hours just for a piece of bread

 

[kerouac9]

I think you could get a trade-down partner for someone who likes A.J. Green at this point. Washington, St. Louis (if you're willing to trade with a division rival), and Cleveland all seem desperate for an outside playmaker.

If you can't trade out of the spot, I probably take Dareus because I have no idea why you think that Jake Locker is deserving of even a Top 15 pick, when the NFL didn't think he was even worth a first-round pick a year ago.

 

[Buckybird]

hey K9, I would luv the draft picks you have on the bottom of your posts. Gates will be a real find for someone in this draft. I've seen him play live at ACU 2 times, although I could see someone pulling the trigger on him earlier.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Never will happen though!!!

I never thought we would pass on Adrian Peterson for Levi Brown

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I take Cam Newton in this scenario.

No matter what, when the labor stuff is done there will be slotted salaries. No more will you have to risk crippling a franchise financially to take a QB. This makes QBs more valuable early since you won't be paying them obscene money.

 

[joeshmo]

I never thought we would pass on Adrian Peterson for Levi Brown

Or that former GM Bob Ferguson would actually put a 5th round grade on Suggs and FO uber scared of having a local hero holdout into training camp, thus never making him an option.

 

[ARodg]

Fairley
Dareus
Bowers
Green
Newton










































Locker

 

[Chopper0080]

No Locker love huh? I will be honest, I haven't seen him play many games and most of what I know is from scouting reports. The issue that I have heard he has is a lack accuracy, and that is pretty much it. In regards to this, I am going off of what Mike Mayock said and that is that his accuracy is uncommonly fixable because it is based on stride length rather then arm mechanics or slow foot speed. If you say that this isn't the case I have no real basis to argue since I haven't seen him much with my own two eyes.

Dareus would be hard to pass up in this situation though. He can rotate across the entire d line, and brings a ton of skill. He is also a really hard worker and played much of 2010 with a high ankle sprain. He is very impressive.

Can't love Newton as he is nothing but measureables at this point. He seems to require more work than Tebow without the years of success or stellar attitude to build with.

CB has never gone number 1 in the draft, but the situation is playing out for Peterson to be the first. Bowers injury, Quinn's less then spectacular combine along with their depth at DE, and the lack of a single QB without significant issues. Dareus is the only other contender for the 1 spot if Bowers doesn't heal up fast in my opinion.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I actually like Locker a lot. I would love for him to last to the second or to trade up to the mid twenties to get him. Honestly my guess is he goes to Seattle.

 

[D-Dogg]

Ugh...bad.

Fairley or Dareus. But you can trade down here dangling Newton, Fairley and Bowers.