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.
ReplyDeleteAs long as push off Michael Irvin doesn’t come along with the package (I was a Huge A Williams fan)
ReplyDeleteI'm good with Bain then Scott but I don't want a QB this year in any round. At #3 I'd take Keylan Rutledge.
ReplyDeleteNo QB this draft No way
DeleteRight. This draft is gonna make or break Ossenfort. He has to get this one right.
DeleteI'm definitely taking a QB this draft and possibly next draft as well. We currently don't have any QB's under contract after this coming season. Even if it's just to sit and learn for a year, I would take one. I don't want to put that much pressure on a rookie QB next year without another QB familiar with the system.
Delete@ hevchv....Either Brissett or Minshew will be on this team in 2027. The odds of getting a QB who will end up being more than a mediocre backup in the 3rd or later rounds is slim to none IMO but the odds of getting a productive guard is much higher. Resign one of the vets and grab a QB in a much better QB draft. This team will most likely draft in the top 5 in 2027.
DeleteMario Cristobal played for Jimmy Johnson back in the day of the U. Asthma my ass get off my f.*@!n field. He ran a very physical camp and playing style. It showed up every time they lined up. I'll plant my flag on Reuben Baine. He was the most disruptive player in college football this year. He would bring a tenacity to this defense that would parallel Docket. Best description I've heard on him hes not just high motor hes rabid.
ReplyDeleteWe NEED rabid!
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