-Larry English (DE/Northern Illinois)

Larry English (NFL.com)

Good organizations tend to learn more from a loss than a win. Well, the Cards lost the big one in February to a team with one of the best defenses in recent memory. What was so great about that defense? Primarily, the pass rush generated by the dynamic duo of James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley.

In the closing moments of the first half, and in the last seconds of the game, those two athletes made plays that sealed the fate of the “new kids on the block.” Harrison intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it for a touchdown, and Woodley forced a premature pass by Kurt Warner on the final play of the game.

But what does this have to do with the Cardinals?

Everything… look for Ken Whisenhunt to grab some pass rushers to upgrade his defense.

The one player available to the Cards in the first round that most closely resembles a Steeler linebacker is Larry English. So long as he is dedicated to learning to read coverages and is willing to play in space, he has all the tools to become an ferocious 3-4 OLB. His strength and explosion off the line of scrimmage are similar to Woodley, and his college production is eerily close, to boot (both had double digit sack counts in their senior seasons).

If Arizona wants to improve their defense, Larry English could be their man.

-Chris Wells (HB/Ohio St)

Chris Wells (NFL.com)

Their Arizona offense was rather one-dimensional especially during the Superbowl. Coincidentally, the lack of confidence in the Cardinals’ run game more or less cost them the championship. Just prior to the end of the first half, Kurt Warner tried to pass the ball in from inside the 5 yard line.  If the team had any semblance of a goal-line run game, they could have punched the ball in before the half.

They owe it to themselves to balance out that awesome passing game with a competent runner.

I’ve seen Chris Wells projected to selected anywhere from 4th overall to early second round. If he is available, the Cardinals must give him strong consideration. He will be able to carry the workload much better than the aging Edgerrin James, and can allow Tim Hightower to resume his role as spell back.

In order to be successful in the Arizona offense, Wells will have to work on his receiving ability, since that is considered his weakness.

For that reason, the team might desire Donald Brown, or they might take advantage of the depth of the class in later rounds.

Next on the clock: Pittsburgh Steelers

See entire Hybrid Mock Draft here

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Previous Pick: New York Jets

18.Chicago Bears

-Hakeem Nicks (WR/North Carolina)

Hakeem Nicks (NFL.com)

For years, Bears fans have been clamoring for a top quality receiver to get the offense moving. The pressure might finally become too much for GM Jerry Angelo to ignore. Kyle Orton needs a reliable receiver to help his development. I just can’t recall the last time Chicago had a go-to receiver whose hands were like money in the bank. I wouldn’t bestow that honor on the flashy Devin Hester,who happens to be developing well.

North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks is the 2nd most complete receiver in this draft (behind Michael Crabtree). Few players have the ball skills and functional jumping ability of Nicks. His style would provide Kyle Orton with an excellent safety net especially in the red zone.

-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)

Michael Oher (NFL.com)

It’s unlikely that Oher falls this far. But in the off-chance that he is here at #18, the Bears will most likely take him. Right Tackle is an area of great need because John Tait will most likely retire, plus John St. Clair might not resign with the team. Considering how important a powerful offensive line is to the Bears’ running game, it seems likely they will try to draft another player to open holes for Matt Forte.

-Larry English (DE/Northern Illinois)

From hearing Rod Marinelli emphasize how the front 4 are the lifeblood of the tampa-2 defense, I now understand why Chicago’s defense seemed off its game last year. A pass-rusher is exactly what the doctor ordered! Finishing the season with 28 sacks overall and only 11 sacks between the starting defensive ends is rather average for a team that lives and dies with its pass rush.

Larry English (NFL.com)

The ability to choose Larry English from Northern Illinois would be very helpful under the tutelage of the master defensive line coach, Rod Marinelli. Ideal for speed rushing, English would work very well on the right side, sharing time with Alex Brown. His production in college was stellar-31.5 career sacks, and became MAC defensive player of the year twice.

If Chicago goes defense with their first pick, I would think English would become their main target.

There is a lot of talk about Angelo trading down, but I have a hard time seeing who would want to trade to #18.

Any ideas?

Next on the clock: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If you vote “other” please comment on who you’d rather choose.

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