Arizona Cardinals 2010 Draft Review

Arizona was hit hard by off season personnel losses.  They looked to restock their roster in the 2010 NFL Draft.  Dan Williams was thought to have gone much higher, and the Cardinals were the beneficiary of a talented player dropping to them in the first round for the second year in a row. He should be able to make an instant impact on the Cardinals' run defense.  Daryl Washington is another great value in the second round. He is a great athlete who is capable of starting. One of my favorite players in the draft was O'Brien Schofield. He projects to outside linebacker for the Cardinals. He tore an ACL at the Senior Bowl but could become a contributor in 2011. John Skelton has the physical tools to be an NFL quarterback and will have the time to develop. The Cardinals had needs and did not reach for players in spite of their situation. That patience might lead to another Cardinals playoff berth.


Round 1, Pick 26

Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

Ht: 6’ 2” Wt: 327

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Williams is a scheme diverse defensive tackle and fits Arizona's defense perfectly.  The Cardinals have to be thrilled with the fact that Williams was still available at this pick.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A thick-trunked, stout interior defender equipped to handle the dirty work, Williams is a movement nose tackle in the mold of Casey Hampton, although not quite as strong, powerful or agile. Can become a very effective two-down run stuffer in a four-man front if he learns to play with consistent leverage and becomes a better hands fighter.

NFL projection: First-round pick

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Williams is a player that I knew nothing of when I began evaluating Tennessee’s prospects, but within the 1^st quarter of the Georgia he showed his athleticism and made a big play.  He looks short and stocky on film (looks more like a 6’0 player than a 6’2 one) and plays upright and high too often, which limits his ability to be as productive as he flashes the ability to.  While he is not a premier DT prospect, DT’s with foot quicks, athleticism, playing speed and very good natural strength are hard to find and Williams has those traits.  Despite his food quicks, Williams lacks the explosiveness off the ball to shot gap and get back-field penetration consistently.  Overall Williams is going to need to learn to play with base/leverage and use his hands more aggressively on every snap if he is going to be as productive in the NFL as he was at Tennessee in 2009.  I believe that his short and stocky build combined with a somewhat soft looking physique is a real concern because he was not as consistently productive on film as he has the ability to be.  I am leery of him because players rarely become more committed and productive in the NFL than they were in college, which is why I would not draft Williams in the 1^st round (Which is where he is expected to be chosen). 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  With a combination of great strength and burst to project nicely at defensive tackle or on the nose, Williams may only have to convince scouts that his senior wasn’t a fluke to rank among the elite in what some believe is an historic class of interior defensive lineman. 

Round 2, Pick 47

Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU

Ht: 6’ 1 ¾” Wt: 230

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Washington is the best pass defending linebacker in this draft.  He fits the description of a 3-4 inside linebacker which the Cardinals are in need of after losing Karlos Dansby.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Lean, long-armed, active playmaker with exceptional movement skills who should thrive as a 4-3 weak-side linebacker. Could be a very effective every-down linebacker in a penetrating, one-gap scheme, and at worst, a great nickel linebacker.

NFL projection: Top-50 pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Washington’s frame is slight, but NFL teams using 3-4 schemes have used similar players inside.  He could also slide to the weak side for a 4-3 team because of his coverage skills.  Either way his speed and toughness give him a shot as a reserve and special teams contributor. 

Round 3, Pick 88

Andre Roberts, WR, Citadel

Ht: 5’ 10 7/8” Wt: 195

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Roberts is a difficult prospect to gage because of his lack of size and playing at a small school.  His route running and ability to play special teams make him attractive in spite of his short comings.  The Cardinals are hoping he can fill in part of the void left by Anquan Boldin.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Bulked up nearly 20 pounds since last spring without losing much agility and shows good strength for his size. Is not an elite athlete but takes pride in his craft, will work to get better and has a skill set to succeed as a slot receiver and punt returner. Solid performance against better competition at the Senior Bowl and a strong Combine showing could elevate his draft stock. Has a lot of upside.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report: Roberts should be the first Bulldog drafted since Nehemiah Broughton (seventh round, 2005, Redskins).  Roberts’ lack of size and playing against a lower level of competition may be a detriment in the mind of some teams, but his track speed, solid hands and elusiveness in the open field give him a shot at being the type of small-school receiver typically picked in the top 100 each April.

130.)  Arizona Cardinals
O'Brien Schofield, DE, Wisconsin
Ht  6' 2" Wt 221

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An excellent undersized edge rusher, Schofield could be converted into an outside linebacker in the Cardinals defensive front.  His motor never stops running, and I believe that if he can overcome the devastating injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl, he could develop into a starter.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   Active, competitive, productive, undersized college defensive end whose draft stock will slip due to injury. Is a candidate for the PUP list his first season but could be valuable if used properly and is able to return to full health. Could be deployed as a situational pass rusher allowed to pin his ears back and tee off from a wide nine-technique in nickel situations and groomed as a rush end. Could also fit as a hybrid linebacker in a “30” front. Would have warranted mid-round consideration prior to untimely injury. NFL projection: Sixth- to seventh-round pick.

155.)  Arizona Cardinals

John Skelton, QB, Fordham
Ht: 6' 5" Wt: 244

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Another pre-draft favorite of scouts, Skelton is a quarterback who throws well on the run, has prototype size, and could - with time - develop into an NFL starter.   

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Skelton not only passes the eye test, but also moves well and throws the ball with velocity.  His game is a bit raw and he tends to take chances, but so did former Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco, who ascended to the first round in 2008.  The Fordham captain might not be drafted that high, but should be picked by a team banking on his upside.

201.)  Arizona Cardinal
Jorrick Calvin, DB, Troy
Ht: 5' 10" Wt: 182

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Suspended for the entire 2009 season, Calvin is an athletic corner who has the potential to contribute to the Cardinals secondary.  Calvin had an excellent junior season and is a fine special teams player.  

  

233.)  Arizona Cardinals
Jim Dray, TE, Stanford

Ht: 6' 5" Wt: 246

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Dray was brought in to provide inline blocking for Arizona's power running game, which will now feature Beanie Wells.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Dray’s upside is a bit limited because of his average speed, but his size, blocking and soft hands make him an excellent late-round value.  He’s likely to be a reliable reserve, or better, in the NFL.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

Every Morning Quarterback by Aharon Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.everymorningqb.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.everymorningqb.com.