NFL Draft Grades - Arizona Cardinals
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Arizona Cardinals Upcoming 2024 Draft Picks (12)
Grade: B+
No trade for the Cardinals is lame because they could have acquired more assets and then drafted a top receiver. While they can't get an "A" grade because they didn't get a deal done, they should be praised for getting a superstar receiver for Kyler Murray, which is something they needed after DeAndre Hopkins left the team.
Grade: B+
The Cardinals wanted Jordan Morgan or Darius Robinson with this pick. Morgan was off the board, so Robinson it is. Robinson will help fill a huge need for the Cardinals, who lost so much talent on the defensive line in recent years. Robinson is effective at rushing the passer, so he'll help stop the Rams and 49ers passing offenses.
Grade: C
I like that the Cardinals moved down to select a cornerback to help fill a need, but this seems like a bit too early for Max Melton. I also have to question Arizona eschewing some of the talented offensive linemen available to protect Kyler Murray.
Grade: A-
James Conner is coming off an excellent season, but the Cardinals needed to add another running back as an insurance policy and a future starter. I thought there was a good chance Trey Benson would go toward the middle of the second round, so I like this value.
Grade: C+
The Cardinals made a big mistake by passing on Jackson Powers-Johnson earlier, so it's no surprise to see them finally address the offensive line. Isaiah Adams was considered a fringe second-day prospect, but he's a needed piece for a team that needs to protect its brittle quarterback.
Grade: MILLEN
We had Tip Reiman slotted as a round 5-7 prospect. Reiman doesn't fill a need either. What the hell is this pick?
Grade: C
The Cardinals are reaching once again, though this pick isn't as egregious as the Tip Reiman selection. Elijah Jones was slotted in the round 4-6 range, so Arizona should have considered moving down or taking him a bit later. Still, I don't hate this pick because addressing the secondary is a must.
Grade: D
The Cardinals are having a rough draft. This is another underwhelming pick. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is a late-round prospect who projects as a career special-teamer. This pick could have been made in the sixth round.
Grade: B+
Xavier Thomas is a project, so this is the right time to select him. He's very fast and athletic, but didn't produce very much at Clemson. Perhaps the Cardinals can turn him into something good. There isn't too much risk here in the fifth round.
Grade: A+
Finally. Christian Jones was expected to go in the third round, but he inexplicably fell to the bottom of the fifth. Christian Jones blasted open big lanes for Bijan Robinson and can be a terrific run blocker in the NFL. Jones, who can play right tackle or guard, should provide Arizona with solid blocking depth to begin his career, and he could eventually emerge as a starter.
Grade: C+
If Arthur Smith were still with the Falcons, he'd use Jase McClellan over Bijan Robinson. The Falcons have a crowded backfield, but McClellan is a solid value in the sixth round, as he could have gone in the fourth. However, I would have liked to have seen the Falcons strengthen other areas.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/22/2024 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1
Arizona Cardinals: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Mike Jurecki is the best team reporter in the business. He has never gotten anything wrong about the Cardinals as far as I know. He said that if Arizona obtained a top-three pick, it would trade out of it and draft Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers to replace DeAndre Hopkins because the team is stuck with Kyler Murray's contract. The Cardinals, however, aren't in such a position because they defeated the Eagles in a very Pyrrhic victory. Besides, they are likely to move down from No. 4. Given their vast resources, however, it wouldn't surprise me if they move up for a top-three receiver. I could see them doing a trade with the Bears, for example, to leap the Jets for Rome Odunze.
Odunze has great size, but there are some concerns about separation ability.
Round: 1
Arizona Cardinals: Chop Robinson, OLB/DE, Penn State
The Cardinals have lost so much pass-rushing talent in recent years, so they'll need to make a pick like this.
Pick change; previously Quinyon Mitchell, CB
Round: 1
Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, DT, Missouri
The Cardinals need multiple defensive linemen to replenish all the talent they've lost recently.
Darius Robinson is versatile enough to play in the 3-4 or 4-3. He was an effective pass rusher at Missouri.
Pick change; previously Chop Robinson, DE/OLB
Round: 2
Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Arizona has some offensive line issues that must be addressed. Kyler Murray has never played an entire season.
Jordan Morgan has superb length, size, strength, and quickness.
Pick change; previously Johnny Newton, DT
Round: 3
Arizona Cardinals: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Cornerback is a huge issue for the Cardinals, so they may address the position twice in the early rounds.
Max Melton is a terrific athlete who is incredibly fast that receivers can't outrun him.
Pick change; previously Chau Smith-Wade, CB
Round: 3
Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
The Cardinals need to continue acquiring pieces to help their dreadful secondary.
Tyler Nubin is a big safety who is physical and instinctive.
Pick change; previously Ruke Orhorhoro, DE/DT
Round: 3
Arizona Cardinals: Bralen Trice, DE, Washington
The Cardinals could use another pass rusher to beat the 49ers.
Bralen Trice has been a great pass rusher for Washington. He has big upside.
Round: 4
Arizona Cardinals: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Arizona's offense took a huge hit last year when James Conner was sidelined.
Bucky Irving is a shifty runner who has the quickness to get to the next level.
Round: 5
Arizona Cardinals: Josh Newton, CB, TCU
The Cardinals could stand to draft multiple cornerbacks, given how weak they are in that area.
Josh Newton projects as a mid-round talent.
Round: 5
Arizona Cardinals: Charles Turner III, C, LSU
The Cardinals could use a long-term solution at center.
Charles Turner did a great job of opening up runinng lanes.
Pick change; previously Matt Lee, C
Round: 6
Arizona Cardinals: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Numerous defensive backs are needed to help the Cardinals improve against the pass.
Round: 7
Arizona Cardinals: Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, WR, Georgia
The Cardinals lost multiple receivers this offseason, so a couple of replacements must be found.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint has quality size and quickness.
Past Grades and Selections
2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B+ No trade for the Cardinals is lame because they could have acquired more assets and then drafted a top receiver. While they can't get an "A" grade because they didn't get a deal done, they should be praised for getting a superstar receiver for Kyler Murray, which is something they needed after DeAndre Hopkins left the team.
B+ The Cardinals wanted Jordan Morgan or Darius Robinson with this pick. Morgan was off the board, so Robinson it is. Robinson will help fill a huge need for the Cardinals, who lost so much talent on the defensive line in recent years. Robinson is effective at rushing the passer, so he'll help stop the Rams and 49ers passing offenses.
C I like that the Cardinals moved down to select a cornerback to help fill a need, but this seems like a bit too early for Max Melton. I also have to question Arizona eschewing some of the talented offensive linemen available to protect Kyler Murray.
A- James Conner is coming off an excellent season, but the Cardinals needed to add another running back as an insurance policy and a future starter. I thought there was a good chance Trey Benson would go toward the middle of the second round, so I like this value.
C+ The Cardinals made a big mistake by passing on Jackson Powers-Johnson earlier, so it's no surprise to see them finally address the offensive line. Isaiah Adams was considered a fringe second-day prospect, but he's a needed piece for a team that needs to protect its brittle quarterback.
MILLEN We had Tip Reiman slotted as a round 5-7 prospect. Reiman doesn't fill a need either. What the hell is this pick?
C The Cardinals are reaching once again, though this pick isn't as egregious as the Tip Reiman selection. Elijah Jones was slotted in the round 4-6 range, so Arizona should have considered moving down or taking him a bit later. Still, I don't hate this pick because addressing the secondary is a must.
D The Cardinals are having a rough draft. This is another underwhelming pick. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is a late-round prospect who projects as a career special-teamer. This pick could have been made in the sixth round.
B+ Xavier Thomas is a project, so this is the right time to select him. He's very fast and athletic, but didn't produce very much at Clemson. Perhaps the Cardinals can turn him into something good. There isn't too much risk here in the fifth round.
A+ Finally. Christian Jones was expected to go in the third round, but he inexplicably fell to the bottom of the fifth. Christian Jones blasted open big lanes for Bijan Robinson and can be a terrific run blocker in the NFL. Jones, who can play right tackle or guard, should provide Arizona with solid blocking depth to begin his career, and he could eventually emerge as a starter.
C+ If Arthur Smith were still with the Falcons, he'd use Jase McClellan over Bijan Robinson. The Falcons have a crowded backfield, but McClellan is a solid value in the sixth round, as he could have gone in the fourth. However, I would have liked to have seen the Falcons strengthen other areas.
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.