The Future — Blogging the Mocks

No, it’s not quite draft time.  There are eight games left to be played, and rookie Chris Wells is just starting to edge his way into the type of game he was drafted to play.

But with some serious age at some serious spots (QB, OT, S), it’s never too early to look ahead.  Matt Leinart might as well get to know the guys he’ll be watching every Sunday.  And you never know, one of these hypothetical Cardinals could end up watching Leinart’s back.

This week we’ve got projections from WalterFootball.com, FootballsFuture.com, DraftCountdown.com.

Enjoy

WalterFootball.com

Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers, 6-06 325, 5.28

The Cardinals are desperate for tackle help. Mike Gandy, who just entered his 30s, surrendered 6.5 sacks in 2008 and has given up 3.5 sacks this year. He’ll be a free agent after the 2009 NFL season. Meanwhile, as a Penn State alumnus, I’m ashamed of how poorly Levi Brown is playing this year. He simply looked lost against the Colts, and he has surrendered six sacks thus far.

Gandy hasn’t been great, and Davis is a guy I like a little better than some.  He’s got more of a reputation as a road-grader who mauls the way for his running backs, but that could work well for the Cards, who have to find a stronger ground game.  He’s got some rough edges in pass protection, and his footwork could use some, well, work, but he’s got the talent, and he’d be a huge upgrade up front.  Keeping Kurt out of a Rascal is pretty important.

Footballsfuture.com

Charles Brown, OT, USC, 6-06 295, 5.16

The offensive line always seems to be a need for the Cards, and it remains so at this point. The team reached for Levi Brown a couple years ago to play RT, but still need help on the left side. Charles Brown is a tough and athletic tackle that should solidify the bookends for the Cards offense.

Similar pick here.  Brown is more polished right now, but he might have a lower ceiling than Davis.  He’s a big enough blindside protector at 6-06, and he’s got some pretty quick feet.  Matt Barkley doesn’t have the season he’s having at USC without Charles Brown (and Snoopy, and Lucy…) up front.  With the way things look right now, Brown might come off the board before the Cards’ pick.  Davis has a much better shot at dropping right now.

DraftCountdown.com

Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma, 6-06 258, 4.72

Basically, Scott Wright’s projection seems to be a likely option.  I mean this is the franchise that nabbed Bryant Johnson and Anquan Boldin in one draft before snatching up Larry Fitzgerald, Matt Leinart, and Beanie Wells later in the decade.   If one club is going to stand in there and keep swinging for offense, it’s Arizona.  And look at that rap sheet.  Every offensive skill position addressed except for the tight end spot.

Gresham may be a bit of a risk, and he has been injured for the entirity of the 2009 season, but he’s a hell of a tight end prospect.  You won’t find many guys who run like this at 6-06 258.  He’s got soft hands, pretty decent quickness in and out of his cuts, and a real knack for finding the open spot on the field, especially inside the 20.  But he’s got some deficiencies as a blocker, and might not be much of an impetus for the ground game.

If you’re asking me, I think it’s important to find a way to keep Warner on his feet, or at least not running for his life.  Gandy’s age is starting to show (6.5 sacks allowed this year), and Levi brown just isn’t the answer.  I think Charles Brown is a better prospect right now, but Davis fits the mold.  The Cards have shown in the past that they like big, athletic specimens even if they lack the polish of other prospects.  Calais Campbell, Alan Branch, and Leonard Davis come to mind.  Another guy to keep an eye on might be Jason Fox out of Miami.  He’s been solid this year and as a former tight end, he’s got the flash that seems to attract the Arizona brass.

So yeah, it’s too early to know, but if Jason Fox ends up being the pick I can say I told you so.