Four Leaf Clovers for Cardinals in 2026?

   



By Walter Mitchell

One of the great arts for GMs of the NFL Draft is the prep that goes into making selections at the start of Day 3 in the 4th round. On the morning of Day 3, GMs are able to pare their draft boards of the first 100+ players who were selected in rounds 1, 2 and 3. 

It is my ardent belief that Monti Ossenfort has done a fabulous job of identifying premium talents in the 4th round of each of his 3 drafts. 

2023 - Jon Gaines II, G, UCLA --- pick #122.


Gaines became a full-time starter in 2021, and started games at each of the three line positions (tackle, guard, center).[2][6] He played a major role in Zach Charbonnet's 1000-yard season that year, as well as the school's leading of the Pac-12 Conference in rushing yards-per-game.[6] As a senior in 2022, he was key in Charbonnet's second 1000-yard season and helped UCLA lead the conference in yards-per-carry.[6] A starter in every game, Gaines also appeared on all 932 snaps at right guard, and was a member of a line that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award.[8] He was an honorable mention all-conference choice and announced after the year that he was foregoing his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft and play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.[9] He finished his stint at UCLA having appeared on 2,382 snaps, and only allowed five total sacks and 52 pressures.[8]

Jon Gaines II - Wikipedia

Strengths

  • Highly intelligent and assignment oriented.
  • Has started at center, guard and tackle.
  • Quick switch and capture of A-gap defender in run blitz.
  • Good radar and feel to find his targets on wide pulls.
  • Hits his landmarks with accuracy as zone blocker.
  • Actively searches for hand resets inside the rush rep.
Jon Gaines II Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

RAS.football
@MathBomb
Jon Gaines II is a OG prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.95 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 8 out of 1309 OG from 1987 to 2023.


Jon Gaines' press conference following his first start at LG last season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZFZdmad95c

2024 - Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech, Pick #104



Taylor-Demerson played at Texas Tech from 2019 to 2023.[6][7][8] During his career he appeared in 58 games and had 238 tackles, 10 interceptions and two sacks

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson - Wikipedia

Strengths

  • Offers versatility to succeed in multiple coverage schemes.
  • Highly instinctive, with playmaking demeanor and plus ball skills.
  • A whisper of quarterback intentions sends him racing to the throw.
  • Route anticipation and speed create coverage opportunities from slot.
  • Confident and intelligent with the processing for post-snap adjustments.
  • Recovers with speed to the spot rather than chasing the man.
  • Good wrap-and-roll finisher when attacking the legs.


RAS.football
@MathBomb
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is a FS prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.91 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 107 out of 976 FS from 1987 to 2024.




Year 1 with Cardinals highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqsFWbcNCQ8
 

2025 - Cody Simon, ILB, Ohio St., Pick #115




Strengths

  • Good size for the interior with well-muscled build.
  • Gets to his work with adequate recognition quickness.
  • Able to slip tackles without losing gap integrity.
  • Base and leverage for quality contact balance when absorbing blocks.
  • Scrapes to the ball on a diagonal to squeeze runner’s angle.
  • Strikes with shoulder and wraps tight to finish the tackle.
  • Can cover in-line tight ends and succeed on special teams.

RAS.football
@MathBomb
Cody Simon is a LB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.35 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 526 out of 3182 LB from 1987 to 2025.



Ohio St. Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsUc1HxJlMk

2026 Roles:

Jon Gaines II has a strong chance to win the starting RG position, His best year at UCLA was at RG and his college OL coach at UCLA, Justin Frye, is his OL coach with the Cardinals.

Dadrion Talyor-Demerson gets his opportunity to start in what was Jalen Thompson's safety role.

Cody Simon has the chance to be the Cardinals' green dot MILB for years to come.


What Jon Gaines II, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and Cody Simon have in common? Look at the upper right side of their RAS scores.💚💚💚💚🍀🍀🍀🍀

Superior feet.




Comments

  1. RedrunMarch 24, 2026 at 6:49 AM

    I concur, some of Montis best draft selections.
    Gaines - I'd like to see him win RG battle over Adams, if not we can always play him as running back :)
    DTD - Yes, I wanted to see him over JT playing centerfield, only concern is his ability to stay on field.
    Simon - Showed flashes as rookie, hopefully he sees a sophomore year leap and grows into wearing green-dot full time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Since 61March 24, 2026 at 9:07 AM

    MO is a 4th round master drafter, too bad he didn't hired coaches (yet) who have developed these kids. Interestingly, he turned his tampering for Gannon mess into maybe his best 3rd round pick-Michael Wilson.

    ReplyDelete

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