Arizona Cardinals: Cameron Erving a First-Round Target?
With the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals are likely going to have a tough decision on their hands. Finding an edge rusher is probably their biggest need, but it is going to be very tough to find proper value at the position late in the first round.
Between Todd Gurley and Mevin Gordon, at least one of the two first round running back talents in this class should be available when the Cardinals are on the clock. After gaining a pitiful 81.8 rushing yards per game in 2014 (second-worst in the NFL), Gurley or Gordon could be enticing for the Cardinals.
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That being said, Andre Ellington is still a talented back, finding somebody to compliment him in the middle rounds of the draft may make more sense value-wise.
Inside linebacker Eric Kendricks would make plenty of sense, as would cornerback options like Marcus Peters, Byron Jones and Kevin Johnson if they were to be available. The Cardinals can really go in a lot of different directions.
In his most recent mock draft, Dane Brugler of CBS Sports (and NFLDraftScout.com) had the Cardinals selecting Florida State center Cameron Erving with the 24th overall pick. Brugler considers Erving to be a “plug-and-play option in the first round.”
Admittedly, Erving is not really a player I had consider for the Cardinals, but the selection would certainly make some sense.
The Cardinals moved on from incumbent starting center Lyle Sendlein by releasing him this off season. They brought in veteran interior lineman A.Q. Shipley as a free agent this option, and as the roster is constructed now, he would probably be the starting center. Ted Larsen is another option for the position, but both players are league-average lineman at best, probably better suited for a backup role.
Erving is a player with much more upside. He is a former left tackle who made the switch to center very late in his college career. Erving’s position change went much better than ever could have been expected, and he looks like a natural center with major upside going forward.
He has length and athleticism that is extremely rare for the position. On top of that, at 6’5″, 313 pounds, Erving has plenty of bulk and strength to handle big interior defensive lineman.
His tremendous athletic ability sticks out as an offensive lineman, and he shows very quick feet while pulling and reaching the second level in the run game. Erving is a natural run blocker who should immediately help the Cardinals with their struggles in the run game.
Erving is also a natural pass protector. While he does struggle with technique at times, which got him in to trouble against speed rushers on the outside, his strength and athleticism has shown to be enough against power rushers. Erving should be a very good pass protector on the inside, with upside to improve with experience inside and better technique.
On paper, the Cardinals’ offensive line is not an immediate area of need. Tackles Jared Veldheer and Bobbie Massie are good, solid options. Free agent addition Mike Iupati should make an immediate impact at left guard, while former first round pick Jonathan Cooper will probably move to right guard, and has a ton of upside. Shipley and Larsen are at least adequate options at center.
Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) against the Kansas City Chiefs at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
However, depth is a concern. Cooper is a very talented player, but he has yet to put it together at the NFL level, and injuries have been an issue as well. Counting on him to nail down the right guard position is a mistake. Do not be surprised if Shipley and/or Larsen end up getting some serious playing time at right guard.
Selecting Erving would help solidify the entire offensive line. If everybody stays healthy, and Cooper starts to reach his potential, a starting unit consisting of Veldheer, Iupati, Erving, Cooper and Massie can be as good as any offensive line in the NFL.
Also, if Cooper continues to struggle, having Erving would allow the Cardinals to have to play only one of Shipley or Larsen, instead of being forced to play both mediocre options.
Some will question the value of selecting a center in the first round. That is fair. Solid prospects at the position can be found throughout the draft process.
That being said, Erving is a player who could step right in and be great at the position with a lot of long-term upside. Also, if he cleans up his technique in pass protection, Erving has all of the skills and plenty of experience to move back to left tackle. It would be a move for down the road, but moving to left tackle is something that almost no other centers could pull off.
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Erving in Arizona. The Cardinals will have a ton of different options, but if he is on the board when they are on the clock, selecting Erving should at least be under consideration.