Cardinals Acquire an Edge

The Edge is now in Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals may have done just what they needed to satisfy the hype that was invested into their franchise before this past season. Predicted by many to win the horrific NFC West, the Cardinals proceeded to lack any identifiable run game as the Seahawks manhandled the competition. Nevertheless, the passing game with Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin was incredible. In addition, the defense was competently good with Adrian Wilson, Bertrand Berry, and Karlos Dansby leading the way. The Cardinals simply could not run the ball. This prevented them from being the division champion that many predicted. On come Edgerrin James: one of the most prolific and consistent running backs in NFL history.

What does this have to do with the draft? A ton! Many mock drafts have placed DeAngelo Williams or LenDale White in a Cardinal uniform come April 29th. Clearly, with Edgerrin James shouldering the load, no running back will be needed in the draft. The offense now has two glaring needs: O-Line and Tight End. Both could be easily addressed. The board will likely fall as such:

( 1) Reggie Bush - Texans
( 2) Matt Leinart - Saints
( 3) Vince Young - Titans
( 4) Jay Cutler - Jets
( 5) AJ Hawk - Packers
( 6) D'Brickashaw Ferguson - 49ers
( 7) Mario Williams - Raiders
( 8) Haloti Ngata - Bills
( 9) Michael Huff - Lions
(10) _____________ - Cardinals

At 10, the Cardinals may well have their pick of the litter at both Tight End and Offensive Line. Winston Justice of USC will likely still be available and be a viable option to upgrade either the right or left side of their line. Justice is still raw, but has the upside and athleticism to potentially be a dominant blocker who can get to the second level of attack early and often. At tight end, Vernon Davis will still be on the board. Being bounds better than the second-best option at the position, presenting athleticism that has never been seen before among tight ends, expect Davis to present the most value to the Cardinals. Expect him to be their selection.

Vernon Davis would make perfect sense, if available, at 10

Vernon Davis is NFL ready. He performed 33 bench reps at 225 lbs. That stat alone puts him competitively into the mix among all offensive lineman. As a tight end, such stength is almost unparalleled, even among the NFL's best. Let us not forget that Vernon Davis can run and jump as well. His 4.38 40-yard dash time puts him only fractions of a second behind speedsters Santonio Holmes and Chad Jackson, the first two wide receivers to be drafted this year. Few, if any, linebackers in the league can cover a man so fleet of foot. In fact, many safeties are unable to cover someone so fast. When you consider that Davis stands at 6'4", 263 lbs with a 42-inch vertical leap to boot, Davis is simply the most prototypical tight end ever to walk the face of the earth. Sadly, it doesn't stop there. At Maryland, Davis was used sparingly as a fullback in goal-line packages, which has given him the requisite skill to be an excellent blocker in the run game. Essentially, this guy has it all. He is inarguably the most freakishly athletic person in the draft.

Kurt Warner. Larry Fitzgerald. Edgerrin James. Anquan Boldin. Vernon Davis. The offense is set up and stacked with talent at every level. Both the passing and running game have the weapons to be successful. Let us not forget that Kurt Warner posted two of the most incredible seasons in NFL history with the Rams. He has not been surrounded with such weapons since, and this year may be just the time when Warner remembers hat he can do when surrounded by premium talent.

Having been a running game away from being a full team, The Cardinals have exactly what they need to dominate on offense in Edgerrin James. Vernon Davis, if drafted, will put their offense on a whole new level, presenting innumerable match-up problems for opposing defenses. After adding a stud Guard or Tackle in round 2, the Cardinals will be able and ready to put up dominant offensive stats. Do not be surprised if the Cardinals contend with the Seahawks for the NFC West crown next year. The Seahawks are not getting better this off-season and the Cardinals are only looking skyward with money to spend and dominant players out there to fill in the gaps.