American Football

Belichick-type Day 2 for Monti and Cardinals

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Maryland v Rutgers
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Vote for your grade of Monti’s job on Day 2

On Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, GM Monti Ossenfort dug deeply into his Belichickean roots to deliver a bonanza of systematic personnel fits for the Arizona Cardinals.

Belichick always loved to trade back on Day 2 in order to acquire extra picks.

Two Trades:

Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

Melton’s Fit: Press CB on a #1 or #2 WR. Special teams ace as gunner, punt/kick rusher.

Trey Benson, RB, Florida St.

Benson’s fit: RB2

Isaiah Adams, G, Illinois

Adams’ Fit: G who could be developed into a starter, if not this year, perhaps by next year. Also provides the team with G/T versatility as a game day swing OL.

Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois

Reiman’s Fit: Y TE2 with possible flexibility to play H-Back and TE. Special teams dynamo.

Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College

Jones’ Fit: Boundary CB

Summary:

Monti did more of his own thing on Day 1. He stayed put this year (not trades!) and he drafted a WR in the first round —- something Bill Belichick was disinclined to do. However, Belichick was never drafting high enough to consider an extraordinary talent with the pedigree of Marvin Harrison Jr., a consensus two-year All-American from Ohio St.

However, on Day 2 Monti Ossenfort cooked up a Patriots’ type feast of the type of players whom Bill Belichick loved to stockpile at the CB, IOL, G and TE positions. In New England they call them high priority positional “stables.” Not “rooms” —-”stables.”

While there were CBs, Gs and TEs on the board whom fans and pundits felt were stronger choices —- players who were more highly rated by draft pundits and Mock Draft Simulators —- there is a common theme here with regard to 4 of the team’s picks —-> the Senior Bowl.

A group of the Cardinals assistant coaches had the chance to coach at the Senior Bowl. Clearly, the coaches came away from that week feeling especially high on DT/DE Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, G Isaiah Adams and CB Elijah Jones. There is no better intel on a player than having the chance to work with him on the field.

As for TE Tip Reiman, he caught the Cardinals’ attention at the East-West Shrine Bowl where he displayed superb size, strength and. athleticism.

With RB Trey Benson, whom Lindy’s aptly comps to Breece Hall, he came into the draft ranked at or near the top of the RB board.

ROTB Poll:

How did you vote and why?

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