The NFL Draft did not go as planned for the Arizona Cardinals.
And that’s why there needs to be a re-draft of the team’s selections this year. Steve Keim chose to draft based on the best player available, but even then that strategy didn’t work. I’ve been saying since these draft picks were made (at least the first two picks) that they were the wrong decision. Why draft another player to a position that was very strong and dependable last year for your team?
Following that up by drafting a muscular Andy Isabella and saying he’s “special special” doesn’t do much to excite the fan base. Especially when this pick just reinforces the lateral, short offense that the team used last year that ultimately led to it’s demise.
Finally, drafting a cornerback in the fourth round was addressing the need way too late. On top of that, Marco Wilson has a composure issue that is well documented and makes me scratch my head.
All of these reasons are why I’m going to be have the first three picks of the Arizona Cardinals re-draft(ed). These will put the team in a better place going forward.
Greg Newsome II is part of the Arizona Cardinals re-draft.
Steve Keim chose to ignore common football sense and went with Zaven Collins solely on the fact that he had a higher number in a ranking on his draft board. When Keim passed on Newsome II, he lost out on arguably the 3rd-best corner in the draft this year. Newsome II is a perfect fit in the Arizona Cardinals re-draft.
Newsome II would end up falling to Cleveland late in the first round. Patrick Peterson, Dre Kirkpatrick and Kevin Peterson were absolutely atrocious at times last year. Wide receivers that were 3rd or even lower on opposing team’s depth chart were burning them.
From the scouting report linked above:
"Newsome is well-versed in Cover 3, quarters coverage and press man. He’s equally adept at each, too. It’s hard to get a gauge on his overall long speed, as most of the throws his way were underneath, but it’s worth noting that he’s above average with ball tracking and body positioning to defend the deep throw. While the takeaway totals are nothing special, his length, timing and sheer competitiveness make tape study of the contested catches he’s allowed for completions a very short watch."
Newsome II could’ve been the guy to takeaway a big threat from each divisional team, especially when the Cardinals will face a murderers row of receivers this year. While Newsome II needs to improve on trusting his gut when reacting to receivers making their break, that is something that will come in time.
Why Zaven Collins shouldn’t have been picked
The team drafted Isaiah Simmons the year before, and Vance Joseph couldn’t quite find a role early on to put Simmons. Collins is just the same guy pretty much. At least Simmons played meaningful games in the College Football Playoff.
Collins has pursuit issues, aggression isn’t the greatest, and played football in the underwhelming American Athletic Conference. This is the same conference that produced Haason Reddick, who really didn’t do anything until this past season.
Maybe they will actually get Collins on the field. He is a humble guy, and this isn’t about him as a person. But he just wasn’t the right pick at 16.
Terrace Marshall is second in the Arizona Cardinals re-draft.
Marshall was on the board for the Cardinals at 49th overall. Instead, Keim chose muscle-induced clone of Andy Isabella. Drafting players who are basically the same person but slightly different attributes is just the definition of insanity.
The Cardinals did best when Anquan Boldin was paired with Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz was the finesse guy, while Boldin had the body big enough to go over the middle and take hits. Not to mention that height still matters for receivers- unless your quarterback can actually throw them open. Marshall averaged 104.4 yards per game last season and his wingspan is incredible. However, Marshall does need to make his route more finished/crisp at the end, and work on securing some tough but makeable catches.
Just to have someone other than Hopkins who can high-point the ball while having the size Marshall does is why he is a part of the Arizona Cardinals re-draft.
Why Rondale Moore should not have been picked
With Moore given all of his abilities, it’s just not the right pick for the Cardinals. This was another reach and only continues to show more dedication to the lateral and college offense that Kliff Kingsbury runs. There needs to be more deep strikes and jump balls thrown downfield to keep the defenses the team plays against honest.
Plus, with two athletic playmakers in Marshall and DeAndre Hopkins running down the field, it would at least elevate Christian Kirk’s ability to get open.
As for Moore’s 600lb squat-as this is for sure to be brought up by someone in the discussion. Don’t get me wrong, 600lbs is impressive no matter who you are, especially hitting depth with it too.
Does a high squat max automatically guarantee a great football career? Not always. Many players have had lifted quite a bit and it doesn’t always translate perfectly to being a great NFL player.
That is what Moore will have to overcome, just like everyone else. However his height and lack of dominating the jump ball are negatives that Moore must work to improve.
Brevin Jordan could’ve been interesting in the Arizona Cardinals re-draft.
Jordan, a tight end out of the University of Miami went later in the 5th round, but given how desperate the Cardinals are at the tight end position, It makes sense why they pick Jordan in the Arizona Cardinals re-draft. Jordan’s ability to be fast out of breaks along with being able to take a big hit post-catch are just some of the positives about him. However, his blocking is not anywhere near what’s desired in the NFL, and he gives routes away with body language as soon as the ball is snapped.
This is a fourth round tight end, so expectations for him wouldn’t be high to make the roster, but Kingsbury has shown that these are his kind of tight ends that he’ll most likely will never use. Bring Jordan in regardless.
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Why Marco Wilson shouldn’t have been drafted
Despite being one of the four true freshmen to ever start for the Gators and his older brother’s time in the NFL, Wilson’s best season came in that freshman year. Wilson suffers man coverage issues and the Texas A&M game was a prime example of that.
DK Metcalf is smiling about this matchup if it’s there. An ineffective punch to jam receivers at the line also makes his chances of making a play on the ball harder as he works to recover.
Finally, you can say I’m living in the past on this one, but I just can’t get over the whole shoe-throwing incident against LSU. After what Dre Kirkpatrick did last year in attempting to punch Metcalf, the secondary cannot afford to have guys who resort to this and make critical mistakes at the worst times.
Final thoughts
This Arizona Cardinals re-draft more accurately reflects the win-now mode of the team. By addressing needs instead of best player available, the team is now more well-rounded than it was before and has lesser weaknesses. This draft should have been about raising the team’s floor, and not their ceiling. Because this team is capable of being great, as they started 6-2.
Finishing at 8-8 and missing the playoffs in embrassing fashion means the floor is pretty low. Raise the floor, not the roof, and let’s see what this team does headed into the 2021 season.