NFL Draft Grades - Arizona Cardinals
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Arizona Cardinals Upcoming 2023 Draft Picks (9)
Grade: A+
Paris Johnson is the best tackle in this class, but it could be argued that Peter Skoronski is the No. 1 offensive lineman. He was docked for his short arms, but he's going to be an elite guard for Tennessee over the next decade. The Titans desperately needed blocking help after losing three offensive linemen this offseason, and Skoronski will provide a huge boost.
Grade: B
Iowa tight ends have worked well for the Lions before, so why not draft another one? I think Michael Mayer would have been the better pick, but LaPorta is a dynamic receiving threat who will make the offensive even more explosive.
Grade: B+
In the past couple of offseasons, the Cardinals lost Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt. Think they needed to address their pass rush? There was interest in Nolan Smith in the first round, but another SEC edge rusher makes sense in the second frame. Ojulari was always in the second round in my mock updates, so this pick makes a ton of sense.
Grade: B
I finally don't love a pick for the Eagles. This isn't a bad selection though. The Eagles needed a safety, and Sydney Brown is a play-maker. I had him slotted a bit later than this, but Brown has nice upside, so he could definitely live up to his third-round billing.
Grade: C+
I don't get why the Lions surrendered resources to move up for Brodric Martin, whom I had in the middle of the third day. Detroit wanted a defensive tackle - Gervon Dexter was an option in the second round - but Martin is a reach. I love Detroit's draft, but not this pick.
Grade: A+
Surprise, surprise, the Eagles drafted a Georgia player. Kelee Ringo is a big cornerback with tons of upside, and he easily could have been chosen in the second round. This is tremendous value, and it fills a long-term need.
Grade: B
It's a new regime in Arizona, but the team still loves its linebacker-safety tweeners. Owen Pappoe is a gifted athlete, but I'm not sure if he has a natural position. You have to love his upside though.
Grade: A-
This is good value for Kei'Terel Clark, who easily could have been a fourth-round pick. He'll be limited to slot duties because of his size issues, but he's a talented cover corner and could fight for playing time in Arizona's awful secondary.
Grade: B
Dante Stills needs to fill out his frame, but he is capable of generating a quality pass rush. I had him going around this range, so this seems like a fine pick for an Arizona squad looking to bolster its depleted defensive line.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 6/6/2023 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1
Arizona Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
If the Cardinals trade down, they'd expect to land Christian Gonzalez in their new spot. However, how surprised would they be if they were able to obtain a prospect they easily could have selected at No. 3 overall?
Tyree Wilson has terrific traits, but hasn't been able to work out because of a foot injury. He was recently cleared medically, but some teams have downgraded him regardless. This is why he could slip to the 11-14 range.
*** OTHER 2023 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Christian Gonzalez, CB - If Wilson is off the board, I have to believe Gonzalez would be the pick.
2. Will Anderson, DE - If the Cardinals can't trade down, they'll likely pick the pass rusher the Texans don't take.
Round: 2
Arizona Cardinals: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
It sounds like Budda Baker will be traded, so the Cardinals will need to find a new safety. Here's one who can also fill the void at one of the corner spots.
Brian Branch has nice size and cover ability. He can play anywhere in the secondary.
Round: 2
Arizona Cardinals: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
The Cardinals will acquire this pick if they trade with the Titans. They could use this selection to bolster their horrible defensive line, which lost J.J. Watt this offseason.
Keeanu Benton has a nice skill set and upside.
Round: 3
Arizona Cardinals: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
The Cardinals are stuck with Kyler Murray and his torn ACL, so they'll need to find better players to protect him.
Luke Wypler is an athletic center who played tackle in high school.
Round: 3
Arizona Cardinals: Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB, LSU
If the Cardinals don't trade down and select Christian Gonzalez, they'll have to obtain a cornerback on Day 2.
Jarrick Bernard-Converse has good size, quickness and athleicism.
Round: 4
Arizona Cardinals: Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville
The Cardinals have some issues with Kyler Murray, so they may want to spend a mid-round pick on a quarterback.
Malik Cunningham is a dual-threat quarterback with plenty of upside.
Round: 5
Arizona Cardinals: Malik Knowles, WR, Kansas State
The Cardinals will need to replace DeAndre Hopkins, who is set to be traded soon.
Malik Knowles has nice size for the NFL. Some NFL sources told Charlie Campbell that they like him.
Round: 6
Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
Budda Baker has requested a trade, so the Cardinals need safety help.
Brandon Joseph is a turnover machine with great instincts.
Round: 6
Arizona Cardinals: Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
It wouldn't surprise me if the Cardinals used a late-round pick on a running back to challenge for the No. 2 job.
Past Grades and Selections
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A+ Paris Johnson is the best tackle in this class, but it could be argued that Peter Skoronski is the No. 1 offensive lineman. He was docked for his short arms, but he's going to be an elite guard for Tennessee over the next decade. The Titans desperately needed blocking help after losing three offensive linemen this offseason, and Skoronski will provide a huge boost.
B Iowa tight ends have worked well for the Lions before, so why not draft another one? I think Michael Mayer would have been the better pick, but LaPorta is a dynamic receiving threat who will make the offensive even more explosive.
B+ In the past couple of offseasons, the Cardinals lost Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt. Think they needed to address their pass rush? There was interest in Nolan Smith in the first round, but another SEC edge rusher makes sense in the second frame. Ojulari was always in the second round in my mock updates, so this pick makes a ton of sense.
B I finally don't love a pick for the Eagles. This isn't a bad selection though. The Eagles needed a safety, and Sydney Brown is a play-maker. I had him slotted a bit later than this, but Brown has nice upside, so he could definitely live up to his third-round billing.
C+ I don't get why the Lions surrendered resources to move up for Brodric Martin, whom I had in the middle of the third day. Detroit wanted a defensive tackle - Gervon Dexter was an option in the second round - but Martin is a reach. I love Detroit's draft, but not this pick.
A+ Surprise, surprise, the Eagles drafted a Georgia player. Kelee Ringo is a big cornerback with tons of upside, and he easily could have been chosen in the second round. This is tremendous value, and it fills a long-term need.
B It's a new regime in Arizona, but the team still loves its linebacker-safety tweeners. Owen Pappoe is a gifted athlete, but I'm not sure if he has a natural position. You have to love his upside though.
A- This is good value for Kei'Terel Clark, who easily could have been a fourth-round pick. He'll be limited to slot duties because of his size issues, but he's a talented cover corner and could fight for playing time in Arizona's awful secondary.
B Dante Stills needs to fill out his frame, but he is capable of generating a quality pass rush. I had him going around this range, so this seems like a fine pick for an Arizona squad looking to bolster its depleted defensive line.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
D Grade
I don't understand this pick. The Cardinals just re-signed Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams. Tight end was not a need at all, so why are the Cardinals using a premium pick on a tight end. Plus, it's not like Trey McBride provides great value, or anything. This is probably his natural range. Offensive line and edge-rushing help would've been better.
B+ Grade
Cameron Thomas was a love/hate prospect, or maybe a kinda like/hate prospect because some teams didn't think he was twitchy enough. However, he's a solid value pick in this range, and he'll potentially fill a big need with Chandler Jones gone.
B+ Grade
Myjai Sanders makes sense in this range as a late third-round pick. He also can help fill a need along with Cameron Thomas on the edge in the wake of Chandler Jones' departure. Sanders was better than his numbers indicated at Cincinnati.
C Grade
Mike Woods was not a big producer at Oklahoma, and I didn't have him on my radar as a draftable prospect. He would've been a fine UDFA, but I don't know why the Browns drafted him over Justyn Ross, for example.
B+ Grade
It should come as no surprise that the Patriots drafted a versatile offensive lineman. Andrew Steuber can play both tackle and guard. I like this pick - it's true, Bill - as Steuber could've been taken a bit earlier than this.
A Grade
The Cardinals are dominating the compensatory portion of the seventh round! Marquis Hayes, like Jesse Luketa, is someone I had in the fourth round, so I'm loving the value. Like Luketa, he fills a need as a blocker for Kyler Murray.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B+ Grade
The Cardinals have a dynamic offense, but they struggled to put pressure on the quarterback and cover the middle of the field last year. Zaven Collins can help in both regards. He's a dynamic, versatile linebacker who happens to be a great fit in Arizona's defense. I like this pick, as Collins will be needed to stop all of the powerhouse offenses in the NFC West.
B Grade
You can't be surprised that Kliff Kingsbury made this pick. Rondale Moore is a dynamic gadget weapon. He doesn't have a natural position, but the Cardinals will be able to use him all over the place. Kyler Murray is probably happy about this selection, though he would have been better off getting an offensive line upgrade.
A Grade
Wow, this is quite the fall for Shaun Wade. I had him slotted way earlier in my mock draft last summer and the fall, but he got torched mercilessly in 2020. Perhaps he can rebound, so I really like the Ravens buying low on him.
A- Grade
I mocked James Wiggins a round earlier than this, so I'm a fan of the value the Cardinals are getting in the middle of the seventh round. Wiggins is very athletic and possesses great upside, so Wiggins has a decent chance to make something of himself in the pros.