The Arizona Cardinals, coming off last season, had major offensive problems. Part of this was because of all the injuries. Both starting running backs were lost for the year, so was starting QB Kyler Murray, LT Paris Johnson, and several receivers were in and out of the roster.
The NFL draft will address most of the issues.
RELATED: GRADING THE CARDINALS DEFENSE DURING FREE AGENCY
As many problems as the offense had, the defense had its own concerns.
Defensive tackle was certainly a problem area. First-round
draft pick Walter Nolen couldn’t even start the season because of early injuries. When he did perform, he showed why he was taken in the first round. However, he became injured again and finished the year on IR.
DT Calais Campbell was a stalwart all season long and was paired with DT Dalvin Tomlinson, who had limited production and was released at season’s end. In the offseason, GM Monti Ossenfort has signed former roster member Roy Lopez III and journeyman Andrew Billings, who is on his seventh NFL club.
Every NFL team keeps four defensive tackles and then rotates them during games. Perhaps an excellent draft pick could come in and help with this group.
DT Caleb Banks
Draft projection: Round 2
Cardinals pick: #34
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Specifics:
Career Tackles for Loss: 10.5
Career Pass Defenses: 1
Accolades: Three-time SEC All-Academic Honor Roll, Senior Bowl invitee
Positives:
- Game-wrecker
- Upside is simply enormous
- Has simply rare traits
- Incredible potential
- All-Pro upside
- Heavy hands
- Sheer size jumps off the screen
- Large frame hard to move
- Natural power at point of attack
- Motor runs hot
- First step quickness
Negatives:
- Health is a concern
- Needs to be more consistent
- Concerns with his competitive toughness
- Can be stonewalled
- Prone to disappearing
- Limited by injury
- “Boom or Bust” profile
Expert Draft Site Analysis
Banks may also be the most polarizing player in this year’s draft. Some evaluators will look at Banks’ profile and see plenty of reason to be wary. Others, however, will look at Banks’ profile and see plenty of reason to be excited. At his best, Banks is a game-wrecker who can dominate the middle of the line of scrimmage as a run defender and pass rusher. However, he’s also capable of disappearing for stretches and comes with significant injury concerns. Banks also plays up to his size and wins with his main strength: collapsing pockets and putting blockers on skates when he has leverage. He also has a solid toolbox of pass rush moves, flashing swipe, long-arm, and arm-over moves as counters to his power. Banks’ quickness and agility also allow him to be effective as a looper and a real factor in pursuit.
