The Arizona Cardinals have been one of the leagues worst franchises for decades but after limping into the playoffs last season they surprised everyone by making it all the way to the Super Bowl. In fact, they almost won it! However, with that success comes higher expectations and the Cardinals won’t be sneaking up on anyone in 2009. For the first time in years Arizona actually has some positive momentum and a string of successful drafts has stocked their roster with an impressive collection of young talent.
Were the Cardinals able to keep the ball rolling in the 2009 NFL Draft?
Arizona had the fourth most prolific offense in the league last season but that was due in large part to their #2 ranked passing game. With Edgerrin James well past his prime and Tim Hightower proving unable to carry the load the Cardinals had the worst rushing attack in the NFL, averaging an anemic 73.6 yards per game. Needless to say adding a top running back was a priority for Arizona heading into the draft and they had to be thrilled when Ohio State’s Chris “Beanie” Wells was still on the board at #31. A physical runner with big play ability who can plow over linebackers and run away from defensive backs, Wells was considered by many to be the best player available at his position and a legitimate top half of the first round talent. Some were concerned about Wells’ durability and he did battle some minor injuries during his time with the Buckeyes but in reality he only missed three games in three seasons. Also, some nicks and scrapes are bound to come with the territory when you’re a 6-1, 235 pound running back. Wells shouldn’t have any trouble winning the starting job as a rookie but he won’t have to be a workhorse either since the Cardinals throw the ball about forty times per game. With Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin keeping defenses honest look for “Beanie” to make the most out of the 200-225 carries he gets in 2009 and provide the Cardinals offense with a dimension they were lacking. It’s not a stretch to suggest that Wells was one of the best picks in this year’s draft.
The Cardinals had a number of solid pass rushing outside linebackers but they lacked a true difference-maker and finished in the middle of the pack when it came to sacks in 2008. Connecticut’s Cody Brown played defensive end in college but he’ll be making the transition to outside linebacker in the pros and should be a perfect fit for the Cardinals hybrid 3-4 scheme. A three-year starter for the Huskies, Brown racked up 45.5 tackles for a loss and 24.0 sacks over the course of his career and he has the athleticism, quickness and burst to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Travis LaBoy was released shortly after the draft and both Chike Okeafor and Bertrand Berry are in their mid-30’s so Brown should have an opportunity to contribute and maybe even compete for a starting job early on in his pro career. Safety wasn’t necessarily considered to be a glaring need for Arizona but when Alabama’s Rashad Johnson fell into their laps in round three he was simply too good to pass up. A former walk-on who developed into an All-SEC and All-American performer for the Crimson Tide, Johnson isn’t the most physical safety around but he excels in coverage and is a true playmaker in the secondary. Johnson is probably slated for backup duty as a rookie but he is versatile and will give the Cardinals a lot of options. In fact, don’t be surprised to see him, Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle all on the field at the same time in certain situations.
After hitting a home run with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a year ago the Cardinals went back to the well and plucked another small school cornerback in round four when they chose St. Paul’s Gregory Toler. A late riser who really caught the attention of scouts with standout performances at the East Coast Bowl and Cactus Bowl all-star games, Toler is facing a big leap in competition but he has everything you look for physically at 5-111/4 and 191 pounds with 4.45 speed. Arizona really doesn’t have much at corner beyond their starters so Toler could compete for playing time in the nickel or dime packages as a rookie but it will all hinge on how quickly he can adjust to the pro game. At the very least Toler is an intriguing developmental prospect. In round five the Cardinals took a flyer on the biggest player in this draft, 6-71/4, 364 pound offensive lineman Herman Johnson out of L.S.U. A rare physical specimen who weighed 15 pounds, 14 ounces at birth, Johnson can be dominant as a run blocker but he will have to work on his conditioning if he hopes to make it at the next level. Johnson was a three-year starter at guard in college but the Cardinals intend to try him out at right tackle initially and if his heavy feet prove to be too much of a liability they can always kick him inside. Look for Johnson to provide depth at both tackle and guard as a rookie.
Despite investing second and fourth round picks in Calais Campbell and Kenny Iwebema last year the Cardinals opted for more help at defensive end when they chose Will Davis of Illinois in round six. A good athlete with decent size and bulk, Davis isn’t real flashy or a dynamic pass rusher but he has a great motor and solid intangibles. If he makes the team Davis will provide depth at both defensive end and outside linebacker as a rookie. Arizona had two picks in the seventh round and they used the first on Pittsburgh RB LaRod Stephens-Howling. It was a bit of a surprise to see Stephens-Howling drafted because he was considered to be more of an undrafted free agent by most but that late in the draft it’s hard to call anyone a “reach”. At just 5-7 and 180 pounds Stephens-Howling certainly doesn’t have the ideal size that you look for but he is pretty fast and has garnered much praise for his top-notch character. Stephens-Howling is facing an uphill battle as he attempts to earn a roster spot but he also has some return ability and that could help his cause. With their final selection the Cardinals opted for Cincinnati OG Trevor Canfield, who was a terrific value that late in the draft. Canfield entered the 2008 season with a considerably higher grade but he didn’t have a great senior campaign and his stock steadily dropped. A good all-around blocker who has experience on both the left and right side, Canfield will compete for a backup job and could provide some much-needed quality depth.
For the fourth year in a row the Arizona Cardinals came away with an impressive Draft Day haul. “Beanie” Wells might be the only guy who emerges as an instant starter for the Cardinals but they should get major contributions from at least 4-5 rookies and that is pretty darn good for a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The Cardinals really hit on all cylinders with this class when it comes to talent, value, need, upside, etc. and it’s Draft Day efforts like this that have taken them from the leagues cellar to its penthouse.
