The Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft

5th Round (148th Overall Selection from Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Tom Lally – OLB
Mount Union – Senior
6-2, 260 Pounds
82 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

The funny thing about small school recruiting is that no one see’s the potential diamonds in the rough, they see a developmental project too difficult to mend. I think it shouldn’t be that hard to develop someone like Tom Lally, he just seems to be the next small school linebacker who exceeds expectations. Lally is especially talented as a defensive end, sorry folks, he will need help learning how to be a linebacker. I liken Lally to a LaMarr Woodley, before Woodley became slower then a moving turtle. If the Cardinals take on a project, I’ve seen enough mock drafts to know, everyone thinks it’s the predictable players; Victor Ochi of Stony Brook, James Cowser of Southern Utah, and Tyrone Holmes of Montana.

I watched Tom Lally a couple seasons ago, it didn’t hit me until he had two sacks in a game, I became mesmerized by his absolute force and will power. I didn’t think about Tom Lally the prospect until I saw a video of Mount Union vs. Wesley (Delaware), scouting a young man named Logan Nemeth on the offensive side of the ball. I got up to get some snacks while the defense was playing, and what I saw was something unbelievable. Tom Lally was at it again, this time he kept destrupting the opposing offensive line. He displayed the motor, something very rare to a defensive end, and almost seemed to be in the backfield like it was his mother on fire.

Cardinals fans everywhere should look up Lally, he is absolute gold to me, if I’m wrong, I’m wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not predicting he gets drafted, but his talent is abundently clear. He could be a developmental player too, especially with so many linebackers in the room. He also doesn’t really drop back much often, playing more of a rushing defensive end, and really keeping his hand in the ground.

Next: Carson Palmer replacement?