Breaking down the Draft

In the next few days I’ll be posting about how the new members of each franchise fit in with the scheme and current roster. This will be a scouting perspective of the Draft, unlike the C+, C-, B you get from Mel Kiper.

Today we’ll start with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals 2008 draft was one of potential. The team finished the 2007 NFL season with a record of 8-8, their first .500 or better season in eight years. The Cardinals roster is full of young talent at most positions. The team had identifiable needs at wide receiver, offensive guard, defensive end and cornerback. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt prefers a run-heavy offense with big bodied linemen. His defense is a 3-4, but has a hybrid twist under defensive coordinator Clancy Pedergast.

Pick 11: CB Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, Tennessee State (Scouting Report )
Scout it: DRC is a long, lean corner who is not known for his physical play. Arizona prefers to run a defense in which linebackers blitz on every down. This in turn means the cornerbacks are put on an island. DRC is good in man coverage, but his selling point is his athleticism. In this defense he will be free to make plays on the corners, so long as he comes up in run support. He won’t be able to freelance, but his length and jumping ability will lead to turnovers in man coverage.

Pick 50: DE Calais Campbell, Miami (FL) (Scouting Report )
Scout It: Campbell is the ideal pick for a 3-4 defensive end, and an even better fit for Arizona. Campbell will be able to anchor the left side as a 34 end, but what makes him appealing is his ability to slide inside in a four-man front. He could also stay outside, as he’s athletic enough to anchor against the run and rush the passer.

Pick 81: WR Early Doucet, LSU (Scouting Report )
Scout It: Doucet fell from a potential first round pick to round three based on his timed speed alone. What he will offer to Arizona is a slot presence and the potential as a #2 receiver should Anquan Boldin not be kept on. Doucet is a technician, running crisp routes. He has loose hips and a nice cut of his outside foot on inside slants and posts.

Pick 116: DE Kenny Iwebema, Iowa

Scout It: Here the Cardinals grab another versatile defensive end for their ever-changing defense. Iwebema is not the athlete or physical specimen that Campbell is, but he’s a tough run defender and able pass rusher. He also brings added value as a special teams player.

Pick 149: RB Tim Hightower, Richmond

Scout It: Many expected Arizona to address their need at running back early in day one. The team instead waited until round five and found a sleeper in Hightower. Arizona prefers a running back who can find a seam and accelerate through it, a back who has power and agility. He is a bit of an unknown, coming from a small school, but he does possess the strength and footwork to become an asset in the Cardinals backfield.

Pick 185: DE Chris Harrington, Texas A&M

Scout It: Harrington played end at A&M, but I would expect him to shift to outside linebacker in Arizona. He is the same mold as former Cardinal Calvin Pace; a big pass rusher from the elephant position. Arizona likes to have a blitzing linebacker on every down, Harrington can fill that role from a two-point stance on the weak side. His experience as an end has taught him how to use his hands to disengage from a block and how to dip his shoulder to avoid a chip. Coming off the edge will be natural for him.

Pick 225: OT Brandon Keith, Northern Iowa

Scout It: Keith fits the big body mentioned in the opener. He’s a large man with a great wingspan and natural girth. He would be a left tackle in the Cardinals offense, as right tackle Levi Brown is the blind-side protector. Keith needs work, as he’s played at a D1AA school, but he has the natural tools to be a player.