Aug 31, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) is tackled by Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Cougars 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals fans and local media have had many mixed reviews about the teams 2014 NFL draft, some negative and some positive and that is to be expected as everyone weighs in with a personal opinion on the matter.
After listening to television analysts and radio talk all week long it’s really hard to get a fair grade of the teams draft.
One thing is for sure, and that is the old saying “the tape doesn’t lie” and after carefully watching video on all of these prospects, we will give our final grades based on live game action, and not solely on combine numbers and pro-days
I re-evaluated and graded each pick and will have the overall grade of the entire draft:
The first round pick of Deone Bucannon was a perfect fit for the style of defense the Cardinals play, and with the defenses in San Francisco and Seattle the Cards needed to get more physical and tough.
This pick will give this defense an added element that is most necessary in the NFC West and that is a nasty playing attitude and the bringing of the wood (legally of course) as the Cardinals may have needed more of desperately last year.
A player like Bucannon will probably start to gain the reputation of a big hitter with questions as to a hit being legal or not, on video there are several plays that would curl your toes as a true old school football fan, but also in today;s NFL may easily cost the team 15 yard penalties.
There were plays when he tackled a receiver he is towering over them with his big and lengthy body frame as if he had devoured the opponent. A great rap up tackler and does not hesitate to trust his instincts and try and make that eye dropping big hit.
Bucannon will make an impact as a starter on opening day, it is not that hard to scheme and play safety in this league as it is at other positions, his job will simply be hit anything that moves.
This pick gets an “A” simply because it gained the team an extra pick while filling a desperate need, and at pick number 27 overall its not bad value for trading down and getting one of the highest ranked safeties in the draft.