Red Rain Podcast 212: Cardinals' Draft Grades and Themes
By Gardner Minshew Jr. (aka L'il Rock), Saguaro Sam and Mitch
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic4zWyalQL8
Spotify:
Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/red-rain-episode-212-recapping-a-confusing-2026/id1572161044?i=1000763831659Red Rain Questions:
1. Thoughts on draft?
2. Was this draft focused on pleasing pundits and fans while trying to change the imagine of the Cardinals' offense?
3. What do you make of Monti's response as to why he's made such few moves to add talent to the Cardinals'29th-ranked scoring defense?
Today on the podcast, I said that I thought the Carson Beck pick sucked. I'd like to list the reasons why:
ReplyDeleteHe was considered one of the biggest reaches of the draft, ranking outside the top 200 on the consensus board;
A high third rounder should always be a player who should've been drafted in the previous round, this kid was widely projected to be a 4-6 round pick;
At 24 years old with "limited tools," the concern is whether he can realistically compete in a division against the likes of Matt Stafford and Sam Darnold;
Beck had a UCL tear that derailed his 2024 season and cost him the CFP — injury durability is a legitimate concern heading into the NFL, he showed a noticeable decline in arm strength as the year progressed at Miami
Several AFC offensive coordinators site his lack of leadership, one even called Beck a "villain" and said they wouldn't touch him because of personality issues;
His turbulent exit from Georgia, where a losing of the starting job narrative "spiraled out of his control," raised character and leadership questions that followed him into the draft process;
Other quarterbacks in this class, such as Drew Allar or Taylen Green, possess elite physical tools and superior arm strength — Beck simply does not match that profile;
Beck has thrown 22 interceptions over his last two college seasons and led his conference in interceptions both years. That's not a blip — it's a pattern;
A notable chunk of his interceptions trace back directly to arm strength deficiencies — under thrown balls that fall short and get picked off, including the game-sealing interception in the national championship against Indiana;
He's prone to locking into his first read or pre-determining reads before the snap — a habit that NFL defenses will exploit immediately;
He spent six years in college. If that much seasoning didn't iron out his decision-making and pressure issues, there's reason to doubt an NFL coaching staff can fix it either;
LaFleur's offense needs a mobile, quick-processing QB, and Beck's footwork and pocket mobility have been questioned;
Beck lacks great mobility and will not be a running or dual-threat quarterback at the NFL level. In today's NFL, where QB athleticism is nearly a prerequisite, that's a significant ceiling limiter;
The Cardinals are most likely going big-game hunting for a quarterback in the 2027 draft, rendering this selection of Beck moot;
The Cardinals still have a gaping hole at right tackle and a poor defensive line, and spending the No. 65 pick on Beck left other roster needs unaddressed.
Even his supporters acknowledge Beck profiles best as a "high-end game manager" in a QB1 or QB2 role — which is a generous way of saying he has a low floor and a low ceiling. That's not who you build a franchise around in the NFC West against the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers.
Ultimately, the Carson Beck selection encapsulates everything that has plagued this Cardinals franchise at the quarterback position — reactive decision-making dressed up as a plan by a franchise that has repeatedly failed to identify, develop, or retain quarterback talent. This pick feels less like a calculated gamble and more like the same unsophisticated evaluation process that got them here in the first place. Different draft, different name — same Cardinals. More curious failure.
Agreed. Beck was a luxury pick by a team that did not have the luxury to take him at #65. My guess is they chose him for both leverage in the Brissett negotiations and because of his experience and pro-ready label. Monti knows this team can't coach-up drafted QBs so they drafted a QB who has experience running pro-style systems. Who knows, maybe he will become a viable backup during Lafleur's tenure in AZ but that's not who you use a 65th on when you went 3-14 the year before and your D was ranked 29th. This teams predictable HC turnover rate makes them a good team to place bets on when they will hire a new HC.
DeleteI've been watching Becks play since he waas rookie at UGA (daughter went to UGA)....IMO he is at best another Colt McCoy. IF he was drafted it should have been round 5 or later.
DeleteAt this stage we've seen Monti's drafts and they have all been a series of confounding decisions. Results complete confusion and wasted draft selections. This draft is no different. What really makes me wonder is how Monti could be so stupid, is he really that incompetent that any guy off the street could do an equal job of matching his FA and draft moves. IS BIdwill setting the agenda and making the decisions in the background - becuse these drafts seem much more Bidwillian in nature than any football guy.
If I had to give this draft a grade I would give it a D-
--I like Love, but didnt feel we had luxury of giving up on a defensive draft of Bain, Bailey, Styles.
--Bisontis, I had on radar prior to FA but with pick #34 he was over-drafted
--Beck w/ #65 is just a waste. No more need be said here...
--Proctor is good but did we need another Robinson
---the rest, who cares
I am so negative on this team after this draft and past 4-5 seasons, it is difficult to be a fan. Such a waste of energy.
Another think I noticed is Jacoby doesn't have an agent and never has since being drafted. He was the only player in the 2016 NFL Draft to not hire an agent. I guess he enjoys the whole process. Super smart guy. It figures; MB would want to strong arm an underpaid stand-up QB like Jacoby who represents himself. Reminds me of Tyrann Mathieu's comment - "Snakes In The Grass".
DeleteHe’s a super smart guy and his total nfl earnings exceeds $67m-he doesn’t need an agent.
DeleteI don’t see Jacoby on the roster by training camp. This GM is as deficient in football knowledge as his owner
ReplyDeleteFirst addendum to my list of reasons the Beck pick sucks-
ReplyDeleteFurther proof that our long-standing track record of botching QB decisions is alive and well under Monti. Meanwhile, the Rams burn a first-round pick on a college quarterback with barely 15 career starts—while managing to alienate their Hall of Fame QB in the process—instead of waiting for a more proven, 25-year-old prospect with 40+ starts who’ll likely be sitting there in rounds 4–5. McVey, if not the most successful, certainly one of the league’s best QB evaluators/whispers/developers took a hard look and passed, that should tell you something.