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Post by MT Diesel on Apr 22, 2024 18:13:27 GMT -7
AZ is going to draft two WRs in the 2024 draft, however there is a lot of smoke about the Edge position. A couple months ago I thought a big edge player was the real need for AZ. Why? AZ needs to get great at stopping the run to get their smaller faster edge specialists in 2nd and long and 3rd and long. B. Nichols helps the run stopping edge position. However, the Cards need more help there. Dallas Turner and Chop Robinson are the only 2 in the 21 year old range...the rest are closer to the 23-24 year old range. Braswell is just over 22 years old and when taking a top edge player only Turner is the one worthy of a top 20 pick. Reality is Monti can get an edge player in the draft in the second or third round...in the 22-24 year old range...so why waist a 1st round pick outside Turner. A WR in the 1st seems like a lock. An edge player is looking rather slim at this point. Tackle and CB along with WR seem like the 1st round options.
The big edge players who look like real options are Darius Robinson, Justin Eboigbe, and maybe Braiden McGregor who are in the 2-5th round prospects. Booker is a smaller and faster edge players who if he drops to the 3-4th rounds may be in the mix as well, but he would have to drop a bit. These are the edge players if a trade doesn't happen to get Dallas Turner by the 10-12 pick. It would be a big ask to trade up from #27 to get Turner...so Chop in the 27-35th pick might be a possibility.
The two IDL players acquired in FA help AZ not to reach for IDL help.
Edge is interesting, but very thin in 1st round or early 2nd round. I do not see a reach to draft a lower ranked edge prospect early.
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Post by Dry Heat on Apr 22, 2024 18:46:17 GMT -7
Months ago I made a Free Agency thread and took a look at the roster at the time. Defense looked like this:
DT Lopez, 2025, 26, PFF 64.6 DE Stills, 2027, 24, PFF 65.5 Edge Gardeck, 2025, 29, PFF 77 Edge Collins, 2025, 24, PFF 75 Edge Ojulari, 2027, 21, PFF 69.9, just starting to shine Edge Cam Thomas, 2026, 23, PFF 60 Edge Dimukeje, 2025, 24, PFF 71.5 LB White, 2025, 27, PFF 59.4 LB Pappoe, 2027, 23 CB1 Garrett Williams, 2027, 22, PFF 67.8 CB Wilson, 2025, 24, PFF 45.6, can’t be a starter, young depth CB Clark, 2027, 22, PFF 47.4, showed promise then fell CB Thomas V, 2026, 23, 55.7 CB McMichael, 2025, 23 S Baker, 2025, 27, PFF 72.9, $14.6 million if cut/traded S Thompson, 2026, 25, PFF 69.2 S Chachere, 2025, 27, PFF 64.3 S Blount S Knight
In free agency we added to the defense:
DT Khyiris Tonga, 27, PFF 67.7 (had a 78 grade in 2022) DI Justin Jones, 27, PFF 49.3 (hasn’t had a good year) DI Bilal Nichols, 27, PFF 51.6 (hasn’t had a good season) DI re-signed DJ Collier, 28, 1st round bust who has never had a good season LB Mack Wilson Sr, 26, 80.8 PFF LB re-signed Krys Barnes, 26, 60 PFF CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, 26, PFF57.6 (76.6 in 2022)
So at interior Dline, we have stocked up a barren shelf, but not with quality. Tonga may be our best. Hopefully the younger Lopez and Stills improve. All three are not impressive, but could be solid. The rest are at best works in progress and place fillers…except that we paid a few of these DI like starters. We need a stud and I’d like to see one by pick #35.
At Edge we actually have a lot of young talent that didn’t play awful. Four 70-77 PFF rated guys plus Cam Thomas. All 21-26 yrs old except Gardeck at 29. I’d say we need a stud here as well, but not desperately. An interior Dlineman plus an upgrade at corner could really help these guys start getting some sacks.
Mack Wilson is an upgrade at LB and probably the only upgrade I’m “certain” of on the defense. Even so, we remain thin there. Get on in rounds 3-5.
CB obviously needs a big upgrade. I’m hoping to see Garrett Williams begin to break out with a full healthy pre-season and season. I’m not sold on Sean-Murphy Bunting but he’s better than Marco Wilson, who is now gone.
We need an upgrade at each level…Dline/Edge up front, LB in the middle, and probably 2 CB’s in back, including a legit CB1. We need a CB1 as much as we need a WR1.
In this draft, I hope we use our first six picks on defense aside from one first rounder on a WR1. Hoping Gaines can solve our guard issue for now.
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Post by CardsFanQC on Apr 23, 2024 2:53:19 GMT -7
Edge -- the 2 biggest enigmas on the defense are Cam Thomas (thought to be Zach Allen 2.0 but barely played - coaches doghouse? - do these coaches dislike him to make him a draft trade "chip" in any blockbuster trade to Broncos and re-unite with VJ ?) and Zaven Collins.
The former seems to be on path to be traded or released while the latter seems to have the trust of JG/Rallis that he was improving in 2023 ... but enough to get at least 8-9 sacks in 2024 ??
The Edge players in 2023 IMO were hard to evaluate because in the first 6-7 games with a much healthier DL, the team was ranked in top 10 in sacks; however the sacks disappeared in the last 6 games but was that due to the DL all being 3rd - 4th stringers due to lack of depth after injuries decimated the DL ? My belief is a strengthened DL immensely helps Ojulari - Collins - Dimukeje - Gardeck which is why I want Byron Murphy Jr. as the top DL in draft to provide more room for the Edge players to maneuver off blocks.
For the record, I want Monti to get Byron Murphy though I can accept J. Newton if Murphy goes higher than #23 (assuming a trade with Vikes) and I still think Jonah Ellis of Utah (super productive at Utah at age 20 - he JUST turned age 21 earlier this month) in the 3rd round is a sleeper Edge player.
Would love to get in Rd #1: Byron Murphy -- Rd. #3 - Jonah Ellis (16 TFL's/12 Sacks at Age 20 in playing in a major conference) and in Rd. #5 - Justin Jefferson - run stuffing DL from LSU.
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Post by Dry Heat on Apr 23, 2024 10:36:49 GMT -7
Edge -- the 2 biggest enigmas on the defense are Cam Thomas (thought to be Zach Allen 2.0 but barely played - coaches doghouse? - do these coaches dislike him to make him a draft trade "chip" in any blockbuster trade to Broncos and re-unite with VJ ?) and Zaven Collins. The former seems to be on path to be traded or released while the latter seems to have the trust of JG/Rallis that he was improving in 2023 ... but enough to get at least 8-9 sacks in 2024 ?? The Edge players in 2023 IMO were hard to evaluate because in the first 6-7 games with a much healthier DL, the team was ranked in top 10 in sacks; however the sacks disappeared in the last 6 games but was that due to the DL all being 3rd - 4th stringers due to lack of depth after injuries decimated the DL ? My belief is a strengthened DL immensely helps Ojulari - Collins - Dimukeje - Gardeck which is why I want Byron Murphy Jr. as the top DL in draft to provide more room for the Edge players to maneuver off blocks. For the record, I want Monti to get Byron Murphy though I can accept J. Newton if Murphy goes higher than #23 (assuming a trade with Vikes) and I still think Jonah Ellis of Utah (super productive at Utah at age 20 - he JUST turned age 21 earlier this month) in the 3rd round is a sleeper Edge player. Would love to get in Rd #1: Byron Murphy -- Rd. #3 - Jonah Ellis (16 TFL's/12 Sacks at Age 20 in playing in a major conference) and in Rd. #5 - Justin Jefferson - run stuffing DL from LSU. A true pocket collapser and run stuffer who demands double teams, plus a legit CB1, would do wonders for the OLBs. First three picks in all my drafts lately are some form of WR, interior DL and corner. I can’t think of bigger impact positions of need for our current roster.
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Post by MT Diesel on Apr 23, 2024 11:04:10 GMT -7
Edge -- the 2 biggest enigmas on the defense are Cam Thomas (thought to be Zach Allen 2.0 but barely played - coaches doghouse? - do these coaches dislike him to make him a draft trade "chip" in any blockbuster trade to Broncos and re-unite with VJ ?) and Zaven Collins. The former seems to be on path to be traded or released while the latter seems to have the trust of JG/Rallis that he was improving in 2023 ... but enough to get at least 8-9 sacks in 2024 ?? The Edge players in 2023 IMO were hard to evaluate because in the first 6-7 games with a much healthier DL, the team was ranked in top 10 in sacks; however the sacks disappeared in the last 6 games but was that due to the DL all being 3rd - 4th stringers due to lack of depth after injuries decimated the DL ? My belief is a strengthened DL immensely helps Ojulari - Collins - Dimukeje - Gardeck which is why I want Byron Murphy Jr. as the top DL in draft to provide more room for the Edge players to maneuver off blocks. For the record, I want Monti to get Byron Murphy though I can accept J. Newton if Murphy goes higher than #23 (assuming a trade with Vikes) and I still think Jonah Ellis of Utah (super productive at Utah at age 20 - he JUST turned age 21 earlier this month) in the 3rd round is a sleeper Edge player. Would love to get in Rd #1: Byron Murphy -- Rd. #3 - Jonah Ellis (16 TFL's/12 Sacks at Age 20 in playing in a major conference) and in Rd. #5 - Justin Jefferson - run stuffing DL from LSU. Cam Thomas did go backwards last year…he needs to be close to 290 LBs and move to the interior…lacks the speed to be on edge. He is young and may have undisclosed injury in 2023… we will see what happens in 2024. He did become the classic tweener moving up in size from his rookie year. I do like Ellis and he fits the draft position for the Cards.
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Post by MT Diesel on Apr 23, 2024 11:07:15 GMT -7
Edge -- the 2 biggest enigmas on the defense are Cam Thomas (thought to be Zach Allen 2.0 but barely played - coaches doghouse? - do these coaches dislike him to make him a draft trade "chip" in any blockbuster trade to Broncos and re-unite with VJ ?) and Zaven Collins. The former seems to be on path to be traded or released while the latter seems to have the trust of JG/Rallis that he was improving in 2023 ... but enough to get at least 8-9 sacks in 2024 ?? The Edge players in 2023 IMO were hard to evaluate because in the first 6-7 games with a much healthier DL, the team was ranked in top 10 in sacks; however the sacks disappeared in the last 6 games but was that due to the DL all being 3rd - 4th stringers due to lack of depth after injuries decimated the DL ? My belief is a strengthened DL immensely helps Ojulari - Collins - Dimukeje - Gardeck which is why I want Byron Murphy Jr. as the top DL in draft to provide more room for the Edge players to maneuver off blocks. For the record, I want Monti to get Byron Murphy though I can accept J. Newton if Murphy goes higher than #23 (assuming a trade with Vikes) and I still think Jonah Ellis of Utah (super productive at Utah at age 20 - he JUST turned age 21 earlier this month) in the 3rd round is a sleeper Edge player. Would love to get in Rd #1: Byron Murphy -- Rd. #3 - Jonah Ellis (16 TFL's/12 Sacks at Age 20 in playing in a major conference) and in Rd. #5 - Justin Jefferson - run stuffing DL from LSU. A true pocket collapser and run stuffer who demands double teams, plus a legit CB1, would do wonders for the OLBs. First three picks in all my drafts lately are some form of WR, interior DL and corner. I can’t think of bigger impact positions of need for our current roster. Frisk or Sweat are the IDL that demand double team…Murphy and Newton are close to what the bigger guys can do.
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Post by Dry Heat on Apr 23, 2024 11:34:14 GMT -7
A true pocket collapser and run stuffer who demands double teams, plus a legit CB1, would do wonders for the OLBs. First three picks in all my drafts lately are some form of WR, interior DL and corner. I can’t think of bigger impact positions of need for our current roster. Frisk or Sweat are the IDL that demand double team…Murphy and Newton are close to what the bigger guys can do. I’ve been mocking Fiske often, even when I take Murphy or Newton early. Sweat…I used to mock him but I’m afraid of the risk that he’s a knucklehead.
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Post by jeffcardinalfan on Apr 23, 2024 13:32:07 GMT -7
Frisk or Sweat are the IDL that demand double team…Murphy and Newton are close to what the bigger guys can do. I’ve been mocking Fiske often, even when I take Murphy or Newton early. Sweat…I used to mock him but I’m afraid of the risk that he’s a knucklehead. I wouldn't take sweat anywhere ahead of the fifth round. I understand people can make mistakes but driving an automobile will impaired has been against the law for a very very long time and it's a giant red flag for me
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Post by Dry Heat on Apr 23, 2024 13:42:07 GMT -7
I’ve been mocking Fiske often, even when I take Murphy or Newton early. Sweat…I used to mock him but I’m afraid of the risk that he’s a knucklehead. I wouldn't take sweat anywhere ahead of the fifth round. I understand people can make mistakes but driving an automobile will impaired has been against the law for a very very long time and it's a giant red flag for me In the age of Uber there is no excuse for being that type of knucklehead. Shouldn’t even be drinking, smoking, or anything else to risk it IMO when you’re aiming to have the honor of being drafted by a professional sports team.
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Post by MT Diesel on Apr 23, 2024 14:25:39 GMT -7
I wouldn't take sweat anywhere ahead of the fifth round. I understand people can make mistakes but driving an automobile will impaired has been against the law for a very very long time and it's a giant red flag for me In the age of Uber there is no excuse for being that type of knucklehead. Shouldn’t even be drinking, smoking, or anything else to risk it IMO when you’re aiming to have the honor of being drafted by a professional sports team. All true and he deserves an opportunity to prove it isn’t what he is or prove it is who he is. Young men do dumb things. Not justifying….just stating reality. Sometimes an error can wake a person up. Where ever he get a chance the chain will be short and well deserved.
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Post by cardinalsins on Apr 23, 2024 20:11:51 GMT -7
I heard that he was playing close to 380 lbs too...via the Stock Exchange Podcast.
I loved mocking Sweat early on in the draft process. I've ceased doing so.
As for edge, I always trade up from 27 to grab one. We have the capital to do so, and I'm tending to favor either Latu or Verse. Turner would be nice too, but he's projected the be EDGE 1, and a little harder to trade for. I love Latu's ability to generate actual production, but Verse may be a better asset in the run game. I almost always stay away from Chop. Not too many players with his draft profile (with regard to size and lack of production) actually make it in the pros. Also, per the scouts at Stock Exchange, he tends to always play on the weakside since he's a liability in the run game. No thanks.
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Post by FLCardinalFan on Apr 23, 2024 20:51:34 GMT -7
I heard that he was playing close to 380 lbs too...via the Stock Exchange Podcast. I loved mocking Sweat early on in the draft process. I've ceased doing so. As for edge, I always trade up from 27 to grab one. We have the capital to do so, and I'm tending to favor either Latu or Verse. Turner would be nice too, but he's projected the be EDGE 1, and a little harder to trade for. I love Latu's ability to generate actual production, but Verse may be a better asset in the run game. I almost always stay away from Chop. Not too many players with his draft profile (with regard to size and lack of production) actually make it in the pros. Also, per the scouts at Stock Exchange, he tends to always play on the weakside since he's a liability in the run game. No thanks. Sad thing is I am reading is the 2024 Edge class is very weak compared to past drafts
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