2010 NFL Draft: 5 Players The Arizona Cardinals Should and Shouldn't Pick

I know that the offseason is what many people who hate the NFL can't stand the most.

But those who love pro football really love the offseason.

All our hopes and dreams are renewed--we think our team can conquer the world again next season.

We watch the playoffs, thinking how our team could beat another team (New Orleans anyone?) easy.

But maybe my favorite part, due in fact to the Cardinals recent ability to have good drafts, is all the mock drafts.

I'll probably do about 10 mock drafts for the Cardinals and the NFL between now and April, just because it's fun to guess.

Of course, none of my picks are close (although I did say the Cardinals should draft Max Hall...so they picked him up off waivers-- your point?), but it's fun regardless.

Should Not: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks shakes hands with Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers after the Tigers defeated the Ducks 22 to 19 in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on Janua

Luke Bunger, a Cardinals FC here on Bleacher Report, agree adamantly on this.

So many think he's the next big thing in the NFL.

Jamarcus Russell was too.

Okay, maybe that's stretching it. But listen to me on these two big points:

1. Watching the BCS Championship game, he's not NFL ready.

Go back and watch the tape. He made maybe one or two impressive throws. That's it. The rest were screen passes or guys who were wide open.

The reason he's been a good college QB is that he can run. So teams respect that, leaving receivers open.

I haven't seen the freakish athletic ability like you see in Michael Vick.

Newton has been able to run over college linebackers regularly, something he will not do in NFL.

Shoot, Troy Polamalu will eat him up.

But, you say, the same was said about Tim Tebow right?

That leads me to my next point.

2. He is not mentally ready for the NFL.

Unlike Tebow, Newton is full of himself.

Tebow works his butt off. Newton is no Russell in being lazy, but look at his attitude towards the game of football and his teammates.

Ever notice that he doesn't celebrate with teammates? He celebrates with the crowd, and points to himself as if to say, "Look how great I am?"

And then he acts like he's religious.

Baloney.

The Cardinals won't, and shouldn't take him for this reason alone (Leinart anyone?), but they should also consider the first reason.

Should: Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 11: Idaho Vandals quarterback Nathan Enderle #10 tries to elude over Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Baker Steinkuhler #55 during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebr

There seems to be a good chance that Arizona will look to sign one or two veteran QB's and try to develop John Skelton and maybe Max Hall.

This means that, should they let Derek Anderson go (hope so!), the QBs on the roster should be the veteran, Hall, and Skelton (possibly Bartel).

But if you're Arizona, and want to bring a guy who could compete with Hall and Skelton, and comes at a cheap price, there is Nathan Enderle.

Or if by chance Arizona doesn't get a veteran, they'll need something via the draft, and while I like Blaine Gabbert, I'm not sold on anyone else (and I'm not sure Gabbert is worth a #5 pick).

Enderle has several things going for him.

Besides his tremendous upside, there's his size, similar to Skelton's, at 6'5", 242 lbs.

He also played at a bigger school than Skelton, and played in a pro style offense.

So he saw better competition, and should be more NFL ready.

And maybe the best part?

They could get him after the draft on waivers possibly, like Hall, or trade down into the later rounds and get him in round six or seven.

Should Not: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers misses a chance at an interception from Scotty McKnight #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Neb

A lot of people are high on this guy, and for good reason: he was very good in college.

Teams did not like to throw on Nebraska the last couple of seasons, and Amukamara is a big reason why.

But I don't think he'll be good on the Cardinals.

For one we don't have a desperate need for a corner. 

And another reason I just don't think he'll make a great NFL corner.

If you watched any part of the bowl game against Washington, you know that Amukamara is very physical.

Nothing wrong with that. Corners these days should be more physical.

The problem is the way he plays now, he's asking to get flagged in the NFL.

He gets his hands all over the receivers well beyond 5 yards, something even forcing them out of bounds.

Granted, Washington's receivers suck, but you can't pull that crap in the NFL.

Larry Fitzgerald would eat him up.

Just an opinion, and I doubt the Cardinals would take him, but I've seen some mocks having Arizona taking him.

Here's to hoping that's not the case.

Should: Davon House, CB, New Mexico State

I make fun of the Cardinals for constantly picking small school players, but hey, they work out well.

I've heard some good things about House, and he would make a good compliment to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, as House is big in size (6'2"), but reportedly plays like a very physical corner.

DRC is not a physical corner.

Granted, Greg Toler seemed to come along well last season, but House seems like he could be a bargain in the second round, as the secondary may need some extra help.

Should: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs back an interception against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

While I think that the Cardinals biggest need should be addressed in round one, that may not be possible, and/or may be addressed in the offseason.

My point is this: if Peterson is still available at the fifth pick, the Cardinals may want to look hard at taking him.

Peterson's athleticism should make him an immediate starter wherever he goes, and in Arizona he would make a great compliment to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Should Not: Derrek Sherrod, Mississippi St., OT

I don't know a whole lot about Sherrod, but I want to make a point.

There aren't a whole lot of tackles in the top 20 for one thing.

I kind of compare it to Blaine Gabbert.

I hadn't heard a thing about him until he declared a few weeks ago. Now he's the top QB.

In my opinion, it's only because there isn't anyone else...and QB is a big commodity.

I haven't heard too much said about Sherrod, and while the Cardinals do need a tackle, they can get a solid one in rounds two or three (I'll suggest on in the next slide).

There are bigger needs to address with the fifth pick.

Robert Quinn, LB, UNC

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

I've heard a lot of things about Robert Quinn...and almost all good.

The dude is an athletic freak no doubt.

And he would be a much needed upgrade to the Cardinals pass rush.

So if Peterson is off the board, and the Cardinals don't have any other pressing need, it would be best to go with the former Tar Heel.

Should Not: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers reacts during their Tostitos BCS National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

I'll admit it...I wouldn't mind having Fairley on my team.

He's a beast...no doubt in my mind. He reminds me a lot of Warren Sapp actually.

But there are a few reasons the Cardinals shouldn't consider him.

First and foremost, because Dan Williams came into his own at the end of the season, and he'll be the starter next season.

And secondly, I don't think the Cards staff would like him. He's known as a dirty player, and he kind of comes off as a punk.

Whisenhunt tends to not like that as much.

I highly doubt they'll draft Fairley anyway, but if for some reason he falls to Arizona, they should not take him.

Should Not: A Tight End

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 03: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs after making a catch against the Washington Huskies on October 3, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Washington 37-30 in overtime. (Pho

I've changed my mind on this recently, particularly after looking at the class coming out.

There seems to be one legitimate tight end, and that's Kyle Rudolph from Notre Dame.

But to take him in the top five would be foolish.

And the rest of the class?

Ehhh...

I say the Cardinals would be better off picking up a free agent, and continuing to develop Jim Dray.

Should: Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 5: Defensive ends Brooks Reed #42 and Ricky Elmore #44 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after stopping the USC Trojans on the final play on December 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 21-17

I always have liked taking local boys in the draft.

It definitely brings some new fans to the fan base, as they like watching the guy they rooted for in college in the pros.

But I digress...

Elmore was a pivotal part of the University of Arizona defense's improvement this year.

He has the size to be a 3-4 outside linebacker, but may be better suited for defensive end, as his speed isn't great.

And maybe the best part?

He can be had in one of the later rounds.