Cardinals Draft Go-To-The-U?
By Walter Mitchell
Was it by sheer coincidence that two of the first coaching staff hires the Cardinals made after hiring Mike LaFleur as head coach were two assistant coaches from the University of Miami in RB coach Matt Merritt and CB coach Zac Etheridge?
Methinks not.
During the Hurricane's march to the National Championship, it was impossible to ignore their dominant rushing attack, spearheaded by a highly physical offense line and the hardnose running of RB Mark Fletcher Jr., who in wins over Texas A&M, Ohio St. and Mississippi rushed for a combined 58 carries for 395 yards at 6.8 yards per clip. The Canes' running game showed up again very impressively in the Natty during the team's 27-21 nail-biting loss, with Fletcher rushing for 117 yards and 2 TDs.
Mark Fletcher Jr. in 4 playoff games:
75 carries
507 yards
6.8 yards per carry
2 Touchdowns
Equally impressive during the Canes' deep run into the playoffs was the play of its super-charged defense, led by consensus All-American and 2025 Ted Hendricks Award winner defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. Watching the Canes' playoff games it was impossible not to take your eyes off of Bain Jr., who put forth one of the greatest defensive efforts in NCAA playoff history:
Rueben Bain jr. in 4 playoff games:
Tackles: 20
Sacks: 5
Tackles for Loss: 8
Draft Intel
There is no better intel for scouting prospective draft picks than getting candid assessments from coaches who spend every day with the players fora year or two or three,
One can just imagine what Monti Ossenfort, Dave Sears and Mike LaFleur have learned from Matt Merrett and Zac Etheridge.
Of course, the biggest question of all is: Which player the top of the draft is the strongest pick, ED Rueben Bain Jr. or T Francis Mauigoa?
Next question: Just how important was CB Keionte Scott to your defensive success?
Huge question: What is your assessment of QB Carson Beck and where do you think he ranks among the QBs in this draft?
What about T Markel Bell? Do you think he could make a natural conversion to right tackle?
What about WR C.J. Daniels?
What about S Jakobe Thomas?
What about C James Brockermeyer?
What about G Anez Cooper?
The 2026 Arizona Cardinals Red Bain Pouring Down into the Red, Red Sea Mock
Cardinals' Go-To-The-U Draft
1. Rueben Bain, Jr., ED --- Alpha dawg
2. Keionte Scott, CB --- Fills huge void at slot WR in big-time way
3. Carson Beck, QB --- Bill Parcells' Rule deluxe, 37-6 in college
4. Markel Bell, T --- Huge and can move at his size
5. C.J. Daniels, WR --- slippery and clutch
6. Jakobe Thomas, FS --- Johnny-on-the-spot, game sealer
7. James Brockermeyer, C --- highly under-rated
CFA Anez Cooper, G --- has all the tools to develop
Matt Merritt and Zac Etheridge have answered!
Amazing how each one of these Canes fills a need for the Cardinals and are predicted to go in the same rounds.
Etheridge has a huge task on his hands to elevate the CB room that was a coach induced scheme embarrassment last several seasons. Lots of undeveloped but eager talent in that room . If MO listens to anyone come draft time these two need to be firmly in his ear for Bain and Scott.
ReplyDeleteI could live with this as a draft. Beck is really interesting as his surgery impacted his overall status. He has won at UGA & MIA. HIs arm isn't what it was prior to surgery. But he has Colt McCoy traits IMO. Good backup upside starter. Bain & Scott would have immediate impact on our defense. I've wondered if M Bell would be a fit.
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