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Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals draft Daryl Washington, Andre Roberts

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Nick Oza/The Arizona Republic
Dec. 31, 2009: Daryl Washington during a news
conference for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at JW Marriott
Camelback Inn Resort in Scottsdale.


[SIZE=14pt]Arizona Cardinals draft Daryl Washington, Andre Roberts[/SIZE]

by Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic


Find the video of Texas Christian playing Clemson last September.

That will be Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis' response if he's asked why the Cardinals traded a third-round draft pick Friday in order to move up in the second round to select TCU linebacker Daryl Washington.

In that game, Clemson's C.J. Spiller, the top running back taken in the draft, caught a pass in the flat and was one-on-one with Washington.

"He's dancing in space with the top running back taken in the draft," Davis said. "He takes him down and does it pretty easily."

Those are the kinds of plays the Cardinals hope Washington makes for them. The Cardinals paid a price: trading the 89th overall selection to New England to move 11 spots, from 58th to 47th, to take Washington.

"We didn't debate it too long because we knew the quality of the player we were going after," General Manager Rod Graves said.

The Cardinals entered the draft with two third-round picks and took receiver/returner Andre Roberts from The Citadel with the 88th overall selection. The Cardinals have three selections in the final four rounds Saturday. They lack a fifth-round pick.

Washington will be under almost as much scrutiny as the Cardinals' first-round pick, nose tackle Dan Williams of Tennessee. Both players fill immediate needs for the Cardinals. Washington, 6 feet 2 and 230 pounds, will be given every opportunity to fill the void left by Karlos Dansby's departure to Miami in free agency.

"I'm going to have some big shoes to fill," Washington said. "But I'm going to get in there and work as hard as I can and be a better player than him, or just as good."

The Cardinals had Washington ranked 12th, one behind Williams, on their board of the top 120 players. If Williams had been gone in the first round, Washington would have been their selection.

"Our guys felt like he was probably the most-athletic linebacker in this year's draft," Graves said.

The rap against Washington is his size and the fact that he started just 15 of 50 games at TCU. He didn't become a full-time starter until last season, and 230 pounds is a little light for an inside linebacker.

"He played behind two guys (Jason Phillips and Robert Henson) now in the NFL," Davis said. "The guys in front of him aren't selling insurance now or coaching."

The Cardinals coveted Washington and knew he wouldn't be available to them if they stayed at No. 58. So they started calling and found a willing partner in the Patriots.

The Cardinals were seeking a replacement for Dansby, who played every defensive snap. Against today's offenses, which feature alignments of multiple receivers, that versatility is valuable and hard to find.

In 2010, the Cardinals hope Washington can play in passing situations and compete with Paris Lenon for the starting job. Washington blocked four field goals in college, including three in 2007, so he could be a factor on special teams, too.

"As far as an every-down linebacker, that is what the goal is," Whisenhunt said, "but you know us, he has to earn that."

At the NFL scouting combine in February, Washington ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds, the fastest of the linebacker group. As a senior he led the Mountain West Conference with 109 tackles, and the Horned Frogs led the nation in total defense the past two years.

Like Williams and Washington, Roberts fills a need. Steve Breaston, the team's punt returner the past three years, is moving into the starting lineup, replacing Anquan Boldin.

Coaches would like to relieve Breaston of his return duties, so the Cardinals were looking for a receiver/returner in the draft.

"In the games where Anquan was not playing, we were very leery of putting Steve back there," Whisenhunt said. "Steve's not going to want to give that up, but I think he'll understand."

New Cards

Daryl Washington
Position: Inside linebacker.
School: Texas Christian.
Height/weight: 6 feet 2/230 pounds.
Drafted: Second round, No. 47 overall.
Background: From Irving, Texas, Washington started 15 of 50 games in college. He has played outside and inside linebacker.
Projected 2010 role: He should at least be able to play in passing situations and contribute on special teams. The Cardinals hope he develops into someone who can play every down.
Long term: The heir apparent to Karlos Dansby, who left for Miami. The Cardinals defense is set up for this inside-linebacker spot to make plays, as long as the player has the speed and instincts for it.

Andre Roberts
Position: Receiver/returner.
School: The Citadel.
Height/weight: 5-11/195.
Background: From Columbia, S.C., Roberts was lightly recruited out of high school. In college he played receiver, returned punts and lined up at quarterback in the "Wildcat" formation.
Projected 2010 role: Punt returner and fourth receiver. Roberts was drafted to replace Steve Breaston as punt returner and to fill a need for depth at receiver.
Long term: Probably the same as the short term. If Roberts becomes a reliable returner and a capable slot receiver, the Cardinals will be happy.
 
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