Raising Zona » 2013 Draft

Arizona Cardinals: Predicting Andre Ellington’s Stats

Jacob Marshall — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:59:41 +0000

Nov 24, 2012; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Andre Ellington (23) carries the ball during the second quarter of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Ellington is a sixth-round selection for the Arizona Cardinals. Sixth round selections typically do not contribute right away, but the Arizona Cardinals 187^th selection overall of Ellington could surprise us. Ellington has repeatedly shown his downhill speed in the ACC over the past three years.

It was not until 2011 that Ellington flourished at Clemson racking up 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns, a 5.3 YPC average. That season Ellington earned second-team All-ACC honors while missing only one game because of injury. He did finish strong and showed promise heading into his senior year with 125 yards in the ACC Championship Game win over Virginia Tech and 116 yards on 10 carries during their blowout loss to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl.

Ellington enters a new era of Arizona Cardinals football, new coaches, a franchise quarterback, a new general manager and even a new practice bubble opening in August. Ellington’s patience and ability to follow the pulling guard should lend itself to some productive games, and running behind Jonathan Cooper, the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, won’t hurt.

I am not sure how many carries Ellington may get behind experienced NFL players like Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams, or fellow rookie, Stepfan Taylor. All of whom, I think will get the carries before Ellington does. Ellington should provide a spark as a change-of-pace back. Ellington will need to improve his pass protection skill set if he wants to stay on the field otherwise he will be watching from the sidelines.

Because I cannot predict how many carries Ellington will get, I will go with a modest 4 yards per carry (YPC) when he does see the field. After all that is the most important stat for a running back. Ellington will also wind up with 3-4 TDs, and I predict all of his touchdowns will be big plays of 20 yards or more. I envision that because I do not think Ellington will be on the field when they are inside the 20. At least not right away.

Make no mistake about it, though, Ellington and Taylor are the future of this Cardinals team. Taylor will be the every down back, and Ellington should be the change-of-pace back.

Arizona Cardinals: Grading Their Draft

Sean McConnell — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:04:53 +0000

May 10, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) fends off Cardinals defensive end Everrette Thompson (72) during rookie minicamp at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

With the seventh pick in the 2013 draft, the Cardinals had a slew of choices to make. The majority of people who follow the Cardinals knew that there was one blatant area the needed to be upgraded, the offensive line. This draft would prove to be a huge one for new GM Steve Keim and new head coach Bruce Arians.

Pick 1 (Round 1 Pick 7) Jonathan Cooper, OG

When the Cardinals went on the clock for the first time in 2013, the best offensive linemen options were Chance Warmack, D.J. Fluker, and Jonathan Cooper. The Red Sea decided to go with Cooper, which I think is a good pick. Cooper has quick feet and good arm extension, providing ultimate leverage over his opponent. He is a very mobile and athletic guard that can immediately make a difference with the offensive line.

Overall Grade: A

Pick 2 (Round 2 Pick 13) Kevin Minter, ILB

The Arizona Cardinals love those LSU graduates! All joking aside, the Cards needed a dynamic linebacker to complement and now fill in for Daryl Washington. Minter is excellent at wrapping up and finishing a tackle as well as anticipating the play on offense. The Cardinals couldn’t have grabbed a better ILB in this draft.

Overall Grade: A-

Pick 3 (Round 3 Pick 7) Tyrann Mathieu, CB

This is the pick that brought the media buzz over to the Cardinals’ table. Nearly everyone has labeled him as the “risk-reward” player over the draft. Personally I think his reward is way higher than his potential risk. Keim thought this through by pairing the player formerly known as the “Honey Badger” with his mentor (Patrick Peterson) and fellow LSU teammates. Mathieu is a dynamic playmaker with a big chip on his shoulder, looking to take the Cardinals to the next level.

Overall Grade: A-

Pick 4 (Round 4 Pick 6) Alex Okafor, DE

This is a great pick by the Cardinals. Okafor was projected to be a late first-round pick and ended up falling into the Cardinals hands. He is a very quick and versatile player, moving from DE in college to OLB for the Cards currently. This is a high-value pick that can pay dividends for the Red Sea.

Overall Grade: A

Pick 5 (Round 4 Pick 19) Earl Watford, OG

This pick may have had a few fans scratching their heads. My thought was that the Cards were going to go after on OT at some point in the draft. Watford is still a solid lineman with great speed, but my only concern is how he will match up with quicker defenders in the NFL.

Overall Grade: B

Pick 6 (Round 5 Pick 7) Stepfan Taylor, RB

Considered a top-five RB in the draft, this is a good pick for the Cardinals. He is a smart runner with the ability to wear down the defense. This will help continue drives for Palmer and set up play action plays that the Cardinals haven’t been able to execute for a long time. Additionally, with the two main RB’s having concerns staying healthy (Mendenhall & Williams), Taylor will only give the Cardinals more quality depth.

Overall Grade: A-

Pick 7 (Round 6 Pick 6) Ryan Swope, WR

This is a good pick by the Cardinals. Swope is a tough player and a great route-runner. The Texas A&M receiver was projected to go in the third round, but teams then learned of Swope’s health since receiving multiple concussions in college. If Swope can stayhealthy, he will only add to a solid WR core of Fitzgerald, Roberts, and Floyd.

Overall Grade: B+

Pick 8 (Round 6 Pick 19) Andre Ellington, RB

An explosive and dynamic running back, Ellington comes in as a potential steal for the Cardinals. He won’t have the juice to be an every down back, but he will certainly pack a big punch for the Cards running core.

Overall Grade: B

Pick 9 (Round 7 Pick 13) D.C. Jefferson, TE

This is a decent pick by the Cardinals. Jefferson is still new to the tight end position and has a lot to work on. His biggest upside is his size, willingness to block, and long strides. If Jefferson is able to improve his hands and route running, you can expect to see him more often in Arians’ two tight end set.

Overall Grade: B-

In Summary

The Cardinals almost nailed the draft entirely. There is no doubt that the Cardinals got better with the majority of their picks, and more importantly, they grabbed players who will fit the new scheme under Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles. Only time will tell to see how these picks turn out, but I feel confident about these picks.

Overall Grade: A

Arizona Cardinals Sign Earl Watford and Alex Okafor

Baily Deeter — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:13:57 +0000

Dec 29, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive ends Alex Okafor (80) and Cedric Reed (88) and cornerback Carrington Byndum (23) react against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half of the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas beat Oregon State 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals still have one more draft pick to sign, but they can be happy knowing that they locked up two more talented players.

According to Revenge of the Birds, the Cardinals reached agreements with Alex Okafor and Earl Watford, two fourth-round picks. Terms haven’t been disclosed, but the contracts likely won’t dent Arizona’s payroll.

Okafor registered 12.5 sacks with the Texas Longhorns in 2012, and he registered 4.5 sacks in the 2012 Alamo Bowl. Okafor has the potential to take over a game, and he can be dominant. Consistency is an issue for the defensive end, but he should be fine.

If the Cardinals do switch to a 3-4, it would hurt Okafor, who is more of a pass-rusher than a coverage player. Okafor benefits from being a defensive lineman, and Todd Bowles and the defensive staff will make sure Okafor’s strengths are used properly.

As for Watford, he might not play as much. Daryn Colledge, Lyle Sendlein, Bobby Massie, Jonathan Cooper and Levi Brown will likely be the starting linemen when the season starts, but extra depth is always nice. Arizona’s offensive line allowed 58 sacks in 2012, and extra help can always benefit a team.

While this is good for the Cardinals, they still have one more pick to sign. Unfortunately for them, that player is the most important to sign. Cooper, the seventh overall pick, hasn’t signed on the dotted line yet.

So, even though it’s nice to agree on contract terms with two players, the front office still has work to do.