OK, I know we have been inundated with any number of mock drafts since January, but now that we are through the Scouting combine, this is -- for me, at least, -- where draft season really gets going. Mocks after the combine (when there is constant chatter about players) at least have a little more behind them. They are still mock drafts, of course, but discussion is discussion. You know what else is discussion? The mailbag. Questions have been edited for length and clarity. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.
From Julian K:
"Hi Darren! There's one thing i don't understand, would like to hear your opinion about it: Why is the start if free agency before the draft? I always feel like if you want to build a roster, you have much more chances to impact the FA than the draft. If there are several positions to add as starter, there is almost no way to control the draft so that the guys Monti likes are still available (if we put expensive trades up to the side). If the draft would be prior, it would be easy to see which prospect fall in your hands and control your destiny afterwards in FA in chasing specific positions which are left out in the draft with a dollar or two more. Hope you get what I mean, greetings from Germany!"
I do, indeed, get what you mean. It's funny; free agency as we know it is a relatively different thing than the NFL had until about 1990, so at that time it didn't matter. (And the draft, once upon a time, was in January right after the season.) But we are on to now, when free agency comes in mid-March as contracts expire with the new league year, and the draft remains in late April. The timing for free agency can't change -- unless they change the start of the league year and all the contracts. So it would be about moving the draft. Now that the Super Bowl has moved to February (and, eventually with 18 games whenever, is going to be even later), some teams would have no chance to be ready fully for the draft before free agency.
But there is also a practical reason players wouldn't want it to change. Players already in the league want their FA to be before the draft because if it came after the draft, it would naturally tamp down the FA market -- jobs would already be filled with younger players, and cutting down needs for teams like that would remove potential spots for guys looking for teams. That means less money.
From Mark M:
"When are they going to re-sign McBride?"
Straight and to the point, Mark. OK, then. It seems clear the Cardinals feel confident an extension can be done with Trey at some point. When that is, I have no idea. To me, if it got done before training camp -- anytime in the offseason, for a guy who has a year left on his deal -- that's plenty early. Don't rule out camp, a la Zaven Collins. Both sides are motivated to get something done, but there is nothing pressing about now. That doesn't mean it couldn't happen, say, this month, but it feels like it's a question of when and not if, and so I'd just preach patience.
From Greg T.:
"I know you already said they wouldn't, but I'm going to say what a lot of fans are saying -- the Cardinals need to draft Skattebo. You can't tell me this team can't use a guy like that. Every team can. You have a built-in fan base, and he's a great player. Three-headed monster of JC, Benson and Cam. Who says no?"
Look, I think Cam Skattebo has a chance to help an NFL team, and he does seem to be the perfect fit with what Gannon has built with this roster. And I think, in a vacuum, the Cardinals would love to have him. But as we all know, there is opportunity cost with every offseason move. In the current situation the Cardinals a) have only six draft picks, and multiple needs stronger than running back and b) just re-signed Conner as well as wanting Benson in Year 2 to be a No. 1-type back. I'm never going to say never because I've learned, in my job, that's dumb. But I expect Skattebo to go end of Round 3 or Round 4 (depending what he runs at his pro day; his 40 time will matter), and I just don't think the Cardinals will be taking a running back above (multiple) DL, OL, EDGE, or even WR.
But again, I'll never say never.
From Bob Haines:
"Darren, I live in Delaware and listen to ESPN's 'Get Up' daily. All of the top NFL Analysts never mention the Cardinals as a possible playoff contender. All the talk in the NFC is about the Eagles, Lions, Rams, 49ers, and Vikings as possible representatives for the Super Bowl. My question is what does the Cardinals have to do to become legitimate playoff contenders in Year 3 of this management regime?"
To start with, it's not a surprise such a show isn't talking about the Cardinals because they have a lot to prove on the field. But if you are talking about what moves, I think that's a loaded question. I think they are going to work on the trenches, and Gannon already said they need to get better affecting the QB with the pass rush. I think they are going to work up upgrading the receivers room. But do all those things make them a contender? No way to know. The Vikings don't even know who their QB is. The Lions lost both coordinators. The 49ers are good but getting older. Those teams are being talked about because that's who was good last year. We all know year to year there are multiple teams that fall off way more than expected (for example the 2024 Niners.) I'd like to see what this team looks like in August.
From Kenneth Schroeder:
"Greetings from a fan in Nebraska. My question is about the defensive line. We've heard and read numerous responses surrounding the need for defensive line (and offensive line) but I feel we do have a strong starting point for our defensive line that it shouldn't be a top priority. We brought in two quality players last free agency in Jones and Nichols. I understand they were hurt, but very durable before last season. We also drafted Darius Robinson in the first round and was having a great camp before injury. Then we also have another quality player in Dante Stills. That's four guys who show tremendous upside. Beyond injury, I'm not sure why defensive line is a top priority? Thanks for your input."
There are a couple of points here. One, the defensive line will also include a good edge rusher, so that it part of it. But mostly, it's about improving what the braintrust believes is the most important part of the game -- the trenches, the offensive and defensive lines. It's not about good. It's about making better. I think Nichols and Jones can be solid pieces but they have been around long enough that we know their upside. They aren't going to lock into any one position because that's not smart. But in free agency and/or the draft, they are going to look at the lines seriously.
From a lot of people:
"What's the deal with the NFLPA grades?"
Safe to say I got a lot of questions -- and there were a lot of words written in those questions -- about the recent NFLPA grades and impact and all that. I got so many that it made more sense to address in one blanket answer, the best I can answer. The grades weren't what the organization wanted, of course. The process to rectify many of the issues, most of which revolve around the facility, is underway. I know there is concern about how it currently impacts the team, like potential free agents. But Jonathan Gannon is considered excellent in the grades, and the setup -- which again, will be improved -- did not discourage James Conner or Budda Baker (or, hopefully soon, someone like Trey McBride) from signing extensions. I believe if the Cardinals make the right monetary offer(s), they will get the free agents they want too.
From Benjamin R:
"What are your first-round nightmare scenarios for the rest of the NFC West? I know Monti will be focused on improving the Arizona Cardinals, but us fans think about these sort of things; we have to play them twice a year, every year, forever! Personally I think Walter Nolen to the 49ers, Tyler Warren to the Seahawks, and Josh Simmons to the Rams would make me cry. (The later two I could see falling due to their position and injury, respectively)."
Benjamin, there's no crying in football (during the draft ... unless you are a pick reaching your dream, like LaRod Stephens-Howling. Never forget The Hyphen). And let's hold on forever. The Cardinals were in the NFC East for a long time before switching in 2002; you never know when things might change. As we hit the draft, though, teams are going to get good players. The first round, yes, they are going to get someone that makes waves as a "name." Who knows if that guy hits? You don't think the rest of the NFC West isn't going to be upset when the Cardinals take Travis Hunter? Exactly. So dry those tears, preemptively, Benjamin. Find that silver lining.
From Gary L.:
"Wolf? Noooooooooooo!"
Indeed, Gary. That's a reaction a lot of us had from Ron Wolfley's announcement he wasn't going to be doing Cardinals games anymore. But Wolf has a family he wants to be around more often (wow, someone who retires for family reasons and really is doing it for family reasons). When he talks to us about that, we need to respect that he's put a heck of a lot of time into working weekends in the fall for the vast majority of his life and we need to respect that, indeed, there is more to life than football. I'll miss Wolf, in the row in front of me on the charter, whispering "Durb," Durb" to get my attention before takeoff on a road trip, as we talk about the Cardinals wherever they are in the season at that point. I'm anxious to see what the team does to find a new partner for Dave Pasch, but for now, farewell to the man who spit out a million soundbites. (Omo has them all.)
