Senior Bowl Game

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Senior Bowl Game

East West Shrine Game

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

East West Shrine Game

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

TE

C+

2010 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD

by Jay Goldberg

DRAFT PICKS

I have to admit that by this point in time I thought Branch and/or Watson would have grabbed hold of Arizona's nose tackle position rendering the position to be addressed only for depth in later drafts.  That has not happened, so grabbing Williams to play the nose was an excellent pick at #26 in round one.  Williams is a big kid who has solid strength and athleticism and was my third ranked defensive tackle behind the "big two" (Suh and McCoy).  Williams will finally give the Cards a player who will tie up blockers and stuff and the run.

Hmmm, how to write this?  I like Washington as a player, but believe his best value is as a 4-3 WILL, not an 3-4 inside linebacker.  He has good speed and is terrific against the pass.   He is a bit undersized for a 3-4 inside linebacker.  As an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense a kid like Phillip Dillard is a better fit and would have been available a round later (selected by the Giants in round four as a middle linebacker for a 4-3 defense, which is not a particularly good fit for him).  If Arizona waited to pick him in round three (or Chaney who was surprisingly not picked until round seven by the Eagles), they could have gone with any number of solid or high-potential offensive lineman such as tackle Charles Brown (solid), guard Jon Asamoah (solid), or tackle Jared Veldheer (potential).

This is the first detailed report card I am writing, and this will be the first of my many mentions of how the GMs missed on receiver Blair White of Michigan State.  He went undrafted, but, if he gets a chance, he will show that he was one of the better receivers in the draft.  That said, Arizona had Roberts rated more highly than I did.  In addition to White, as a receiver/returner I liked Mardy Gilyard much more than Roberts.  As a speed receiver I liked Emmanuel Sanders more than Roberts.  All were available at this spot.  However, I would have gone offensive line here.

Scofield was having an excellent post-season until he got injured.  I had a fourth round grade on him because of the injury.  If he displayed the athletic ability, strength and speed that he appeared to have on tape, he may have peaked at a late second round grade.  If not he could have ended up with a fifth or sixth round grade.  His workout numbers were even more important than most because he is transiting form defensive end to outside linebacker.  Assuming he comes back to 100%, I lean more towards late two than five or six.  This was a good risk/reward selection by Arizona.  He could be a double-digit sack guy with acceptable cover skills.

Skelton was my favorite developmental quarterback in the draft.  I liked his upside enough to give him a second round grade.  He is a big kid, with a big arm and a lot of confidence.  He also has better mobility than it may appear.  He is in the Big Ben, Joe Flacco mold, although he needs to improve his accuracy some to approach the success of those two.

Corrick Calvin was a player I expected to be grabbed as a free agent, not a player drafted in round 6.  We'll see how this selection plays out over time, but as a cornerback, I would have gone with A. J. Jefferson at this spot.  In an interesting twist, Arizona signed him as a free agent so we'll see which player the Cards like better.  Pender is another player I would have drafted over Calvin.

Dray is a tough kid who blocks well.  He is a third tight end type.  However, he'll need to get a little bigger and a little stronger to hang onto a third tight end roster spot.

FREE AGENTS

Fletcher has the body and short area quickness to develop into a rotation player at end in the Card's 3-4 defense.  He will need to bulk up to have a chance to stick.

Green is short, more quick than fast and a good punt returner.  He will need to show good special teams skills to have a chance to make the roster since he is too short and too slow to play on the outside as a cornerback.

Hall is a heady quarterback who I thought would be drafted, maybe as early as round six.  Unfortunately, he choose to sign with a team that drafted my top developmental quarterback in Skelton.  He should make Arizona's practice squad.

Jefferson has good size and speed, excellent quickness and is a top athlete.  I had a late third/early fourth round grade on him.  The knock on him is that he needs to show he can be physical, especially since he will start off on special teams.  All in all, I believe he is a better prospect than Calvin.

Smith is an interesting prospect.  He has size, speed and strength.  He is more straight line than wiggle and long term could be a solid backup running back.  On Arizona, he could stick on their practice squad.

Williams has good size, and nice speed and quickness for a 6'4" plus receiver. He also can catch.  With his tools, he could surprise in camp and push for a bottom of the roster spot.

Senior Bowl practice comment

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Senior Bowl practice comment

Senior Bowl practice comment

Senior Bowl Game

Senior Bowl practice comment

Senior Bowl practice comment

C+

2009 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD

by Jay Goldberg

Interestingly, the reason the Cards are getting a C+ over a C is because of the selection of Beanie Wells, a player they would have, most likely, passed on if Moreno or Brown were available.  While Arizona got very good value with Johnson, they reached a bit for Brown and Johnson, and a lot for Toler.  The college street free agent that will be most interesting to watch in camp is Michael Garvin who can flat out fly.

DRAFT PICKS

Wells was the top running back on my board and will be a top back in the NFL for a long time.  He is strong, he is fast, and he is athletic.  Wells filled a major need and was terrific value at the end of round one.

I understand why the Cards drafted Brown here, especially after they let LaBoy go.  Berry and Okeafor are not feared outside rushers and a 3-4 defense needs at least one of those.  At the bottom of round three, Brown was the last player left on the board who has a chance top develop into a solid outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense who can get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.  

The selection of Rashad Johnson in round three confuses me.  He's not a bad player, but with Rolle developing nicely at free safety and Nelson available at tight end at this spot in the draft, I wouldn't have hesitated bringing up the card for Nelson.

If Johnson confused me, Toler confounded me.  Obviously, Arizona has him much more highly rated than me.  With Macho Harris and Morgan Trent (among many others) better corners still on the board, I would have gone with one of them.  In addition, Mike Mickens and Ellis Lankster available late, the Cards would have been better off waiting for a corner until round six or seven to draft a corner than drafting Toler here.

Herman Johnson was a nice get in round five.  He is a big kid with a nice upside if he can keep his weight down and his strength up.  I believe he will and he'll turnj into a siolid long term starter in the NFL.

Arizona felt they had to draft a player like Davis since they have some doubt about Brown.  However, I do not believe Davis has the athletic ability to transition very well to outside linebacker in the Cards' 3-4 defense.  If I were taking a chance with a defensive end to transition to outside linebacker here, I would have drafted Nick Reed at this spot.

Stephens-Howlings was a reach.  He was off my board.  As a return man, which Arizona needs, I liked many better, including Michael Garvin.  However, if Arizona passed on Johnson in round three, free safety/return man Pegues could have been chosen here.  If they passed on Toler (and a corner) in round four, Lankster, who I have rated as a much better corner than Toler could have been drafted here as a return man.  If the Cards wanted a backup runner/return man, I would have selected Kory Sheets or even Jeremiah Johnson over Stephens-Howlings.  However, as a straight return man, I liked Jason Chery and I would have selected him and gone after Sheets or J. Johnson in free agency.

Arizona did finish the draft on a high note.  Canfield has good speed, strength and athleticism for a guard.  He does need work on his footwork, but could be a very reliable sub down the line.

 COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Justin Brown has good size and strength and had good production his senior year.  He is a candidate for the Cards' practice squad.

Tony Davis had a similar grade to Toler on my board.  He could sneak onto the Cards' active roster.

Arizona must have liked what they saw of Cincinnati's offensive line drafting Canfield and signing El-Amin.  El-Amin has size and strength and is a good candidate for Arizona's practice squad.

Garvin has exceptional straight line speed and will be a better kick returner than Stephens-Howling, although Stephens-Howling may be a better punt returner.  The battle between these two will be interesting to watch in camp.

The Cards did a good job of drafting for need and value, except at running back, where I believe Hightower was a reach at that point in the draft.  A speed back to compliment James made more sense than a power back, if his future replacement was not drafted.  There were some good quick, change-of-pace backs available as college street free agents, and as of this report, the Cards did not sign any.  Anthony Alridge or Dantrell Savage or Andre Callender or Chad Simpson would have been good gets for Arizona as free agents I know they have Arrington, but he has not lived up to expectations).  Harrington was good value in round six, however, he is a bit small for a 3-4 end and a bit slow for a 3-4 outside linebacker.

DRAFT PICKS

Rodgers-Cromartie is a very fast corner who showed at the Senior Bowl that he can force the run and isn't afraid to hit someone.    In fact, at the Senior Bowl he was the best defensive player on the field.  He was good in coverage, came up to hit receivers on short passes, and forced the run.  He is also a good return man.  However, in college he did not show as much toughness as he did at the Senior Bowl.  Still he was a great get for Arizona and should be a solid pro.  He is also a good return man.

Campbell was solid value in round two, especially as a 3-4 defensive end.  Campbell didn't show the consistency to be a reliable sacker as a 4-3 end, however, his size and skill set is very good for a 3-4 end.  He will need to hit the weight room.

Doucet started the process as a potential first round pick.  However, he had a bad Pro Day.  It wasn't so much his 4.56 forty that raised flags with me, it was his 4.55 short shuttle and 7.47 three-cone.  That showed a relative lack of both quickness and cutting ability.  To get a feel, compare those numbers to the defensive ends drafted ahead and after him in the table below.   So with Doucet, you have a player who was terrific on film, but workout numbers that indicate a high probability he will nor be abler to transfer those skills to the NFL at a high level.  Time will tell.  However, Lavelle Hawkins (definitely) or Arman Shields (another option) would have been my choice at this spot in the draft.

Iwebema is solid against the run.  He clearly is an end in the Cards' defensive system.  He does not have the athleticism to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4.  To play end for Arizona, he will have to add bulk, which shouldn't be a problem for him.  I thought he fit best as a two-down end in a 4-3, but he is a strong kid who could pay dividends for Arizona.

Let me be the first to contradict some of the recent comments regarding Hightower.  He is not the next coming of Marion Barber.  Barber is faster (4.48 forty), much quicker (4.18 short shuttle), makes sharper cuts (7.12 three-cone) and is a much better athlete (40" vertical, 10'7" long jump).   Sorry, Cardinal fans and Mel Kiper.  Hightower was a reach.  He is strong, but that's about it as far as being a difference-maker in the NFL.  Thomas Brown, drafted a round later would have been a better pick, and Chauncy Washington has strength and speed and would have been a better selection as a power compliment to James.

Harrington was excellent value in round six, but I'm not sure where he fits in a 3-4 defense.  I saw Harrington as a third end in a 4-3, who gives great effort that results in him making more plays that you'd think.  He is too small for a 3-4 end, and does not have the tool-set to be a 3-4 outside linebacker.  However, he gives good effort so I wouldn't count him out as a backup OLB, and he should be a reliable special teams guy.

Keith could be a late round steal.  He is big, strong, and very athletic for a kid his size.  He could play right tackle, or kick inside to guard.  The main knock on him was his record at Oklahoma, where he left the team on numerous occasions.  He is a player to watch in camp.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Thaddeus Coleman caught scouts eyes at the Texas vs the Nation All Star Game.  He is a big kid with a mean streak who plays out of control at times.  He needs work on his technique and could be a candidate for Arizona's practice squad.

Keilen Dykes was a nice get for Arizona.  He has the strength and athleticism to play all along the line in the Cards' 3-4 defense.  He was a high priority signing and may be one of the best free agent signings by any team.  Look for him to be active for some games this year. 

I like the signing of linebacker Ali Highsmith.  He looked great on film, but had a poor workout and fell out of the draft.  This case clearly shows how any draft expert (industry or media) who says workout numbers are not that important are nuts.  Highsmith is a bit short but has the strength and quickness to play inside in Arizona's 3-4 defense.  I wouldn't bet against him sticking with the club.

Anthony Morelli looks like a Pro quarterback, has the arm of a pro quarterback, but makes poor decisions and struggles with accuracy.  If he ever puts it all together, Arizona will have something.  But that is a big if.

PLAYER WHO COULD HAVE A BETTER NFL CAREER THAN PLAYERS SELECTED AHEAD OF HIM in the DRAFT

A

2005 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD

The Cardinals did an excellent job on draft day.  While not selecting Rodgers in round one could come back to haunt them, they did get the best corner in the draft in Antrel Rolle with the eight pick.  I wonder if Tennessee selected Rolle over Jones, if Green would have taken the quarterback, Jones or Rogers.  The Titans did the Cards a big favor.  Rolle can cover, is physical, and makes big plays.  He will start from day one.  I would have chastised (slightly) any team other than Arizona for not taking Marion Barber after the top three running backs were off the board.  However, Arrington is a Denny Green type of back.  He is not big, but fast and quick, and is an excellent receiver. He should emerge as their starter sooner, rather than later. Eric Green was a bit of a puzzle for me.  He went where I had him rated (others had him with a second round grade).  I dropped him because of his lack of speed.  Green likes speed on defense.  I thought Foxworth or Paymah (both drafted by Denver later in round three) were better fits for the Cardinals.  Green, however, is quick and a fairly good athlete so he could settle in as a nickel corner.  Blackstock was the steal of the ENTIRE draft.  He was one of the few difference-makers available on defense.  He was thought to be a on-dimensional pass-rusher, but the blew people away with his workout.  The problem is both he, and Karlos Dansby are best on the strong-side.  However, Blackstock, more than Dansby, has the athletic ability to move to the weak-side, or even, the middle.  In any case, Arizona has two excellent young linebackers in Blackstock and Dansby.  At one time Brown was considered one of the top two guards available in the draft, and at worst, a second rounder.  That was based on his on-field production,  Then he worked out.  It was terrible.  He fell to round four.  No one can tell me that workout numbers important when it comes to teams drafting players.  Don't believe the hype that on-field production matters the most.  However, Brown has excellent football skills with which to work.  At worst, he will be a quality backup.  Mitchell is in a similar situation to Brown.  At one time he was considered amongst the top inside linebackers in the draft.  However, prior injuries have robbed him of his speed and quickness.  He is, however, an excellent, instinctive, football player.  Since his injuries were to his knees, there is also hope he will regain his speed and quickness in time.  If that happens, a trio of Dansby-Mitchell-Blackstock could be deadly.  McCoy has a shot long term as a developmental receiver, and short term as a kick returner.  He is more fast than quick, and has an explosive first step.  

Not only did Arizona have a great draft, but they did an excellent job signing college street free agents.  Tight End Adam Bergen could be one of the best gets for any team.  After Miller and Smith, Bergen has more upside as a receiving tight end than any other player available in the draft.  Coming from Lehigh, he will need time to develop, but he has good size, speed, quickness, strength, and athletic ability.  Oh yeah, he also, reportedly looked very good catching the ball during workouts.  Shazor fits the mold of Brown and Mitchell.  He had a second-to-third round grade before his workout where he ran a 4.70 forty and only lifted the bar 19 times.  He was thought to be a strong man with good athletic ability.  He may be, but his workout didn't support that theory.  Sheldon is a bit of a sleeper.  If McCoy doesn't watch out he could beat him out as the Card's kick returner.  He is especially good returning punts.  Bulman is the opposite of Brown-Mitchell-Shazor.  He is a player who had better workouts than on-field production.  However, he has a real chance to stick as a rotation player at defensive tackle.  He is quick, very strong, and a good athlete.  Hardy is a versatile defensive back capable of playing safety and corner.  With his speed, strength, and athletic ability, he could be a special teams demon.  I like Hardy's chances of sticking.  Chang is on the list in deference to his college production.  Just the fact that his main target (Owens) dominated in his league with 4.6 speed, indicates that the system he played in, plus the level of competition he faced, contributed significantly to his success in college.  he also did not look particularly good in the college all star games.