Arizona Cardinals 2012 NFL Draft Review

Michael Floyd

As anticipated, the Cardinals added personnel in the offensive line through the draft and free agency. Bobby Massie was a fourth round selection, but has second round talent and is the odds-on favorite to start at right tackle. Adam Snyder was signed in free agency and will line up at right guard. Senio Kelemete was another value pick in the fifth round and projects to play inside at guard. Underrated Nate Potter is a technically sound tackle who adds competition to the guard or tackle positions. Michael Floyd was the Birds’ first round pick and gives Kevin Kolb or John Skelton another huge target and downfield weapon. Floyd is the all-time leading Irish pass catcher and brings a physical presence in one-on-one match-ups. More importantly, defenses will be unable to double and roll coverages toward Larry Fitzgerald. Floyd possesses excellent athletic ability, ball skills, and run after catch talent. He snatches the ball in his big hands and extends his long arms to make a play. Heading into fall camp he should move into the number two receiving spot over Andre Roberts. Floyd is not only a big-bodied receiver, but a blocker as well in the running game. Jamell Fleming is a positive addition to a talented secondary that can never have enough corners. He is a physical player who is strong and athletic enough to string out a running play to the sidelines and has good visual skills to react and find the ball in the air. He will compete with AJ Jefferson and free agent pickup William Gay at right corner. Bobby Massie is projected to stop the revolving door at right tackle. He is a good athlete with long arms and played right tackle at Ole Miss, even though he has left tackle foot quickness. He possesses all the natural tools to play on Sunday but needs to play stronger in the running game. He has had impressive pass sets in OTAs. Senio Kelemete will compete with left guard Daryn Colledge for the starting spot. He is aggressive and plays with a physical attitude. Line coach Russ Grimm will love this three-and-ahalf years experienced tough guy who will lock on a down defender and drive him out of the hole. With the Huskies he played left tackle. Justin Bethel is in the mix at left corner where he excelled at a small college and blocked nine kicks. He needs technique work and skill refinement, but has an interesting skill set. He played big against Clemson and Wake Forest and has experience at both corner and safety. Ryan Lindley is a developmental quarterback with a strong arm. He has the physical talent to make the ballclub as a third quarterback or practice squad player and will compete with Richard Bartel. Lindley is one of the few draft eligible quarterbacks to have played a majority of time under center. Nate Potter was a four year starter with a frame to get bigger. He flashes an explosive punch in pass protection and adjusts his lateral slide to movement. A long torso tackle, he must do everything right technically to succeed on Sunday. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.

This entry was posted in 2012 NFL Draft Team Reviews, Arizona Cardinals and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.