OT: Cardinals draft grades

MaryvalesFinest · Post #1 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:48 am

How would you guys grade the AZ Cardinals 2009 draft?

Round 1 pick 31, Chris Wells-A+

Cardinals managed to get the best RB in the entire draft. I know there was a debate between Wells, Moreno and Brown but Wells by far is the most talented and has the best chance to become a superstar. If he would have came out in 08 he he would have been a top 10 pick. He fell mainly due to injury concerns but he only missed a few games at OSU. He has a chance to be a pro bowler and at the very least he will be a solid RB in the league.

Round 2 pick 63, Cody Brown-B

With guys like Vasquez and Nelson still there that's the only reason I'm giving this pick a B. Brown has a chance to be a solid player and he's a unique hybrid. He needs work but compared to alot of other second round picks it was a solid choice.

Round 3 pick 95, Rashad Johnson-A+

Considering they got him in the late 3rd round, he has a chance to be one of the steals of the draft.

Round 4 pick 131, Greg Toler-A-

This pick was a risk considering he went to a small school but he has one of the best draft stories. Will he be able to become another DRC? I'm giving this pick an A- based on potential.

Round 5 pick 167, Herman Johnson-A+

You don't find very many 6'7 360-380 pound guys. He reminds me of a poor mans Leonard Davis but if he improves his skills and keeps his weight down he might end up being one of the biggest steals of the draft. He might not be making pro bowls but if he works on a few things he can be a solid starter in the league.

Round 6 pick 204, Will Davis-C

The first pick I can say that was just average. There were a few other players on the board I would have rather had them draft but who knows, the Cards have been good drafters lately and maybe they saw something in him.

Round 7 pick 240, Larod Stephens-Howling-A-

He's a unique RB at 5'6. It looks he was drafted for KR but who knows he may turn out to be another Darren Sproles. It was in the 7th round so this gets a high grade based on potential.

Round 7 pick 254, Trevor Canfield-C

Considering he was the third to last pick he wouldn't really deserve a lower grade and there wasn't really anyone else that stood out to be picked before him. He may turn out to be a decent role player but it's the third to last pick and any guy they drafted here probally would have been signed as a rookie FA.

In the end I would give the Cardinals team grade an "A" in the latter round there were some guys I would have wanted before maybe but they got one of the best players in the draft in the first in there RB of the future and a few solid players in the latter rounds.

DaDragicShow · Post #2 » by **DaDragicShow** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:50 am

Maryvalefinest- F-

MaryvalesFinest · Post #3 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:54 am

arizonaplaya85 wrote:Maryvalefinest- F-

An F for Finest :wink:

chrice · Post #4 » by **chrice** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:58 am

Hahahaha. Beanie was a good pickup at 31. Knowshon might have the better career though. He runs through tackles and makes people miss like something out of a video game. If health wasn't a huge concern, it might be arguable. I'd still take Knowshon given his potential, but Beanie was rated #1 back in his recruiting class going into college for a reason.

MaryvalesFinest · Post #5 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:04 am

chrice wrote:Hahahaha. Beanie was a good pickup at 31. Knowshon might have the better career though. He runs through tackles and makes people miss like something out of a video game. If health wasn't a huge concern, it might be arguable. I'd still take Knowshon given his potential, but Beanie was rated #1 back in his recruiting class going into college for a reason.

Knowshon seems like a high risk/ high reward type of player. I had him second on my list after Wells. He can either turn out to be another Adrian Peterson or close to it but than again he can easily turn out to be another Reggie Bush. Wells seems like at the least he'll be a solid RB in the league and has a good chance to be a RB in the Brandon Jacobs/Larry Johnson type mold.

eastsidecrossover · Post #6 » by **eastsidecrossover** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:45 am

Nice take mary. One of the best since you have been on here. I would disagree with some of the picks and I think you gave some of them too high of grades. However, I feel the cards did do a very good job in this draft. with Wells coming, he is that big back, a lot bigger then Knowshon and that size is important.

I was hoping the cards would move up in the 2nd rd and take Ray Manuluga from SC. I grew up with a lot of polys and when to school with them and they are crazy on the football field. This guy was a stud in college and I think he is a lot better than Laurinaitis kid from OSU. I felt that since we are going more to a 3-4 defense that he would be a great pick, even though he is not that much of a need. We need a pass rusher, but I still would have liked Ray.

I am intrigued with the 7th rd pick Larod Stephens-Howling from pitt. I like those small RB who are quick and he is that. He does not have that great breakaway speed, but he can dance in the backfield and slip tackles and hit a burst of steam in 10 yards.

good draft by the cards and good take and grades by Mary.

Biff · Post #7 » by **Biff** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:32 am

Solid draft. We still need a pass rusher though.

eastsidecrossover · Post #8 » by **eastsidecrossover** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:08 am

We did not get that knock out big name for pass rusher. We did get an OLB and two DE that will help. I can't remember which, but one has a very good 40 and decent size. I think they might be a little better than last year on D. I like the bama kid and the Corner too. I think we will have a better team overall then last year. However, the ? still remains, can this OL protect Warner and create holes for Wells to be productive? That is our major issue and I hope they can get it done.

But Mary, you did forget one thing that was even bigger then Wells. That is Q did not get traded!!! So our receiver core is still intact and Q is still with us. Now, will he continue to pout and cry about his contract, of course. Rosenhouse got him into this situation due to the contract he is in now. I also think that the rest of the NFL does not think he is worth what he is asking and for those type of picks too. Sucks for him, but I hope he comes to realize that he is not worth 10 mil a year and the cards make a solid and respectable offer.

Trevor Canfield, the last pick I read slipped because of an off field issue. If that is cleaned up, that is another good pick. I guess he slipped a few rounds and was projected talent wise as a late 5th rd. so good risk if it works out.

MaryvalesFinest · Post #9 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:23 am

eastsidecrossover wrote:We did not get that knock out big name for pass rusher. We did get an OLB and two DE that will help. I can't remember which, but one has a very good 40 and decent size. I think they might be a little better than last year on D. I like the bama kid and the Corner too. I think we will have a better team overall then last year. However, the ? still remains, can this OL protect Warner and create holes for Wells to be productive? That is our major issue and I hope they can get it done.

But Mary, you did forget one thing that was even bigger then Wells. That is Q did not get traded!!! So our receiver core is still intact and Q is still with us. Now, will he continue to pout and cry about his contract, of course. Rosenhouse got him into this situation due to the contract he is in now. I also think that the rest of the NFL does not think he is worth what he is asking and for those type of picks too. Sucks for him, but I hope he comes to realize that he is not worth 10 mil a year and the cards make a solid and respectable offer.

Trevor Canfield, the last pick I read slipped because of an off field issue. If that is cleaned up, that is another good pick. I guess he slipped a few rounds and was projected talent wise as a late 5th rd. so good risk if it works out.

Yeah they did the right thing by keeping Q, he's still a pro-bowler and can be the #1 go to guy on alot of other teams. The only way they should trade him is if some team offers an insane deal that they can't refuse.

ihateginobili · Post #10 » by **ihateginobili** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:59 am

Rashad Johnson is a going to be a star. One of the steals of the draft. He was the second ranked Safety out there, and we picked him up in the 3rd. Wells was another steal, we almost didnt have him but thanks to the titans, some teams were calling them to trade them the pick right before us to pick him up, he was projected to go 14th to the Saints. I don't know much about the rest of the players we got, i would rate the draft class a B+

LBfo3 · Post #11 » by **LBfo3** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:19 am

Nice, I agree a lot with your points and grades. For another Cardinals' 2009 Draft Analysis visit:
http://uasports.blogspot.com

MaryvalesFinest · Post #12 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:56 am

ihateginobili wrote:Rashad Johnson is a going to be a star. One of the steals of the draft. He was the second ranked Safety out there, and we picked him up in the 3rd. Wells was another steal, we almost didnt have him but thanks to the titans, some teams were calling them to trade them the pick right before us to pick him up, he was projected to go 14th to the Saints. I don't know much about the rest of the players we got, i would rate the draft class a B+

Yeah that's how teams should draft, based on the BPA and not based on need. Rod Graves probally doesn't know much about the NBA but I bet he would make a better GM than Kerr...

Austin · Post #13 » by **Austin** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:24 pm

wrong forum...

Post #14 » by **TASTIC** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:52 pm

^There's nothing wrong with some AZ talk in here...

nevetsov · Post #15 » by **nevetsov** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:07 am

Man that day we spent watching the superbowl in Hooters at the Arizona Centre was just about the best day anyone could have.. save for the result of course. It was like an 8 hour day of loading up on booze and food, the atmospehere was electric.. and in Phoenix nonetheless, cheering on the home team. Glorious

Seems like so long ago though..

ihateginobili · Post #16 » by **ihateginobili** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:37 pm

yea no doubt, that is why the cardinals are the only team in the valley with respect now. Alot of people said that once they win, this will be a football town. Everyone is crazy about the cardinals, including myself, i was more excited about the NFL draft then i am of the NBA playoffs.

MaryvalesFinest · Post #17 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:50 am

ihateginobili wrote:yea no doubt, that is why the cardinals are the only team in the valley with respect now. Alot of people said that once they win, this will be a football town. Everyone is crazy about the cardinals, including myself, i was more excited about the NFL draft then i am of the NBA playoffs.

Yeah things sure changed within the last few years, but the Cardinals have the best WR in the league in Fitzgerald, moved into the UOPS and made it to the superbowl so it's not surprising.