Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: No. 16
Scott C. is the first participant to go over my rough word limit for this project and call out a Rotoworld writer in the process. Plus he sent the pick in before the Lions were up. I'm needling because I like the enthusiasm. Here is Scott's reasoning, uncut
The Cardinals can go a few ways here. The Defensive Line is old and aging and Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor are both in their 30s, and have injury concerns. No interior lineman is disruptive. LB is weak as well. CB… major concern. Pretty much the whole defense sucks.
Mendenhall would be a great value pick here (if available), same with Otah, giving a dynamic tandem at the OT positions with him and Levi Brown. Edge is way past his prime and a big upgrade is desperately needed, but it would be highly advised not to get too antsy and select the Felix Jones or Jonathan Stewerts of the world here, since there is still good possibility to draft that need later. Maybe they’ll go with a good second round back. But with the two best pass rushers off the board in Gholston and Harvey, there is almost no choice but to go CB with this pick.
Arizona never trades in the draft, but they have so many needs. If Harvey, Mendenhall, Otah, McKelvin, AND Rogers-Cromartie are gone, there might want to trade down and get anther pick to add to their first round CB. In a lot of ways this is Arizona’s situational nightmare, since they would be in heat if McKelvin or Roger-Cromartie were still available here. But with that said, the Arizona Cardinals selection with the 16th pick of the NFL draft is:
Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas
With the two best corners off the board, this pick can go between either him or Jenkins. Jenkins is a surefire starter now, but I’m not completely sold on his ability to be a ‘shutdown’ corner. Talib has potential, but just needs to be coached into being a bit more disciplined and better with his footwork and such. Jenkins is more NFL ready now, but I choose to go with the more potential here. Great corners need to be risk takers in order to be game changers, and I think Talib has the ability to be a game changer, or at least cementing a solid secondary… the only bright spot of the defense. Besides they are in a transitional period, so a year of Talib on-the-job training wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
And yes, I’m going against Evan Silva’s advice for Jenkins.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall
Comments
Yeah, but with Talib dropping Cards may still be able to get him at 28 or at least a really good CB prospect. I've got Dallas' 28th and it is looking like a good CB will be there. I'm looking at Dallas moving up in a trade with either Cards or Texans who both need LBs and that is where Dallas has players to spare. After signing Zach Thomas, Dallas can give up either Ayodele or Bobby Carpenter. If not then Dallas will give up a pick and an LB for Boldin, Ocho or Williams (Detroit). That's my crystal ball/homer hopeful projection for draft day.
Posted by: b roo | April 14, 2008 06:43 PM
Now, this my friends, would have to be considered the 1st true "reach" in this draft.
Talib was a talented playmaker in college, and has great size, but his character wreaks of a future troublemaker; Not that young kids can't learn from their mistakes.
If you needed a CB in the worst way here, I have to think Mike Jenkins jumps out at you as a safer pick. Another great college player.
Question: Given Talib's past drug test results, the moment he enters the NFL, is he not immediately on the NFL's list of 1st time violators of their drug policy, making him vulnerable to suspension upon any future encounter?
Posted by: DoobieBros | April 15, 2008 10:49 AM
I didn't know what to make of this pick for a while and agree that there isn't any specific (single) team need that must be solved or a talent available who makes this an easy decision.
That said, with the new coaching regime and their desire to run the ball more, I think the players available and value in round 1 makes a lineman a more likely pick (Otah or Cherilus). RB and CB are both relatively deep and Talib could be available in the middle of the second round.
Posted by: Chad Ferguson | April 15, 2008 11:52 AM