B+
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals won the night they stopped Smith from sliding. Grade: B+.
by Jon G ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 124 picks
· 40 steals
· 68 reaches
The value of the weekend has a name and a slot: Brashard Smith, the 239th pick, roughly 139 picks past where he belonged. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B+.
They are betting Sorrell proves the room right and everyone else wrong. The dealing alone would carry a lesser class. The Cardinals clearly valued win-now help, adding bodies who have done it before.
Nothing here to lose sleep over, and plenty to feel decent about.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 12th pick they get a premier pass rusher at fair value. The biggest hole, addressed.
In pick 13 they get a problem off the edge, though they paid up to get him. Exactly the need they had to hit.
In No. 14 they get juice off the edge, though the board says they badly overpaid. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In slot 15 they get a run-stuffing presence up front, reach and all.
In the Round 1 slot they get a cornerstone up front. The biggest hole, addressed.
In the 17th overall pick they get a long-term starter on the line, a steep price for the projection. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In Round 1, Pick 18 they get a pocket-collapsing interior rusher at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
In pick No. 20 they get a bendy edge with upside, even if it was a touch early. Exactly the need they had to hit.
In the Round 1 slot they get a potential shutdown corner, though the board says they badly overpaid. Need was not the driver here.
A big swing on Shemar Stewart at slot 33, well ahead of any board in the building. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A tidy bit of business in pick No. 35, where Jalon Walker graded well above the range. The roster fit checks out.
They reached a country mile for Aireontae Ersery at Round 2, Pick 4, and the board is aghast. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A straight-up fair deal on Jihaad Campbell at the 40th pick, value and slot in agreement. A need, and now a little less of one.
Tyler Warren in pick 41 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Donovan Ezeiruaku in No. 42 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A safety of that caliber at the 43rd overall pick is the definition of value, full stop. It adds depth where they could use a little.
They barely believed it either: Omarion Hampton still on the board at pick 44. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They will replay Emeka Egbuka at the 45th overall pick for years; that is how good the value is. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Tate Ratledge in No. 46 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
No edge and no loss on Tyleik Williams in the 47th pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
A reach on Armand Membou in slot 49; the board had better options right there. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Deone Walker at pick No. 51 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A conviction pick on Denzel Burke at Round 2, Pick 24 that the board grades a round light. Depth on depth, at a spot that was hardly crying out.
You do not let a wide receiver like Isaiah Bond reach the Round 2 slot and blink. They did not. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Kaleb Johnson at Round 2, Pick 27 is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. It fills a real need, too.
Ashton Gillotte at pick No. 60 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They let Dylan Fairchild come to them and pounced at the Round 3 slot. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Omarr Norman-Lott at No. 68 is a conviction pick that outran the value. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
The board had cheaper options than Aeneas Peebles at the 70th overall pick, and it noticed. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Jaxson Dart this early at the 73rd pick. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
They reached into another round for Antwaun Powell-Ryland, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
The board fumbled Colston Loveland all the way to slot 76, and they scooped it up. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A top-tier safety at a bargain, Xavier Watts in the 78th pick, plain and simple. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.
They paid up for Tez Johnson at the 80th overall pick when waiting would have done the job. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Jack Nelson at the Round 3 slot is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
A real head-scratcher, Ozzy Trapilo in No. 86 is miles ahead of his ranking. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They went early on Luke Kandra in pick No. 88, and the value did not follow. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Jake Majors in pick 89 is fair value, right on his grade. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Hayden Conner in slot 91 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They talked themselves into Carson Schwesinger at Round 3, Pick 28, and the board did not agree. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Steal is underselling it; Jalen Royals at Round 3, Pick 29 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Somehow Andrew Mukuba was still sitting there in slot 94, and they pounced on premier safety value. Stacking talent where they were already deep.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, David Walker well ahead of where he belonged. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Taking Jayden Higgins in pick No. 102 is close to grand larceny; a wide receiver that good had no business lasting this long. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
No drama and no debate, Savion Williams went about where he belonged in the 103rd pick. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
TreVeyon Henderson in the 105th overall pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Malachi Moore at No. 107 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
Demetrius Knight Jr. in the Round 4 slot should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A wild overpay on Sai'vion Jones in the 110th overall pick, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Ajani Cornelius at pick No. 113. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Barrett Carter in pick 117 is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. The roster fit checks out.
Circle this one: Elic Ayomanor at the 118th pick is a fall that decides a draft. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Jaeden Roberts at the Round 4 slot is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A reach for Rylie Mills in No. 121; a little patience would have been rewarded. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Chase Lundt in Round 4, Pick 21, miles early. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Ty Robinson. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Que Robinson at the 124th pick is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Value said wait; Willie Lampkin in the Round 4 slot says they were not listening. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Kevin Winston Jr. at pick No. 127 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.
They robbed the room for Danny Stutsman here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They robbed the room for Tai Felton here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
A quiet steal in the 131st overall pick: Kyren Lacy for less than the market said. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Connor Colby in slot 132 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They left a pile of value on the table to take JJ Pegues this early at pick 134. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They will replay Cam Skattebo at the 135th overall pick for years; that is how good the value is. A need, and now a little less of one.
A big swing on Emery Jones Jr. at Round 4, Pick 35, well ahead of any board in the building. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Davin Vann well ahead of where he belonged. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Vernon Broughton at pick 138 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It fills a real need, too.
A real head-scratcher, Trey Zuhn III in slot 140 is miles ahead of his ranking. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
You do not let a linebacker like Chris Paul Jr. reach the 141st pick and blink. They did not. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They took DeMonte Capehart at par in pick No. 142, which is nothing to complain about. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Devin Neal in the Round 5 slot is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
The board fumbled Mason Taylor all the way to No. 144, and they scooped it up. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They paid sticker price for Howard Cross III in the Round 5 slot, and that is fine. A need, and now a little less of one.
They reached into another round for Seth McLaughlin, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
A wild overpay on Miles Frazier in pick No. 151, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Jonah Monheim in slot 152, miles early. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
CJ West at pick 155 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Barryn Sorrell at the 157th pick is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They paid a round early for Antwane Wells Jr. in the 159th overall pick, more than the board wanted. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Value said wait; Ricky White III in the Round 5 slot says they were not listening. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Billy Bowman Jr. at No. 163 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
Taking Daylen Everette in the 166th pick is close to grand larceny; a cornerback that good had no business lasting this long. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Theo Wease Jr.. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Rod Moore in slot 174 should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Addison West. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They reached a country mile for DJ Campbell at the 177th overall pick, and the board is aghast. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Jared Wilson at pick 179 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Anthony Belton at Round 6, Pick 5 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Tonka Hemingway in pick 181 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Circle this one: Smael Mondon Jr. at the 182nd pick is a fall that decides a draft. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They talked themselves into Brady Cook at slot 183, and the board did not agree. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
A top-tier running back at a bargain, Le'Veon Moss in pick No. 184, plain and simple. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Nick Nash at No. 188 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They reached a country mile for Thor Griffith at the 190th overall pick, and the board is aghast. It fills a real need, too.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Trey Moore well ahead of where he belonged. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Steal is underselling it; Jeffrey Bassa at slot 192 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. The roster fit checks out.
Cobee Bryant at pick 193 is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
Jake Briningstool in Round 6, Pick 19 is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A linebacker of that caliber at No. 196 is the definition of value, full stop. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
A wild overpay on Jamaree Caldwell in the 197th overall pick, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Tim Smith at the Round 6 slot is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Jay Toia in the 201st pick is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. The roster fit checks out.
Paris Shand in pick No. 202 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Collin Oliver in slot 203, miles early. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Jack Kiser in pick 206 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Ja'Corey Brooks at pick No. 207 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Roc Taylor at Round 6, Pick 35 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson at the 214th overall pick is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A real head-scratcher, Jalen Travis in No. 217 is miles ahead of his ranking. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Garrett Dellinger this early at the 223rd pick. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
They barely believed it either: Robert Spears-Jennings still on the board at the Round 7 slot. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.
Jaylin Smith at pick No. 225 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
They talked themselves into J.J. Weaver at the 227th pick, and the board did not agree. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They reached into another round for Steven Parker, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Value said wait; R.J. Oben in Round 7, Pick 17 says they were not listening. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A big swing on Joey Slackman at No. 235, well ahead of any board in the building. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Omari Thomas. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Brashard Smith at the 239th overall pick is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. It fills a real need, too.
They did well to land Kaden Prather in slot 243, just ahead of his grade. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
By-the-book stuff, Deion Burks at slot 251 squarely in line with his ranking. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They jumped the gun on Cooper Mays, taking him earlier than his grade liked. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Somehow Jaishawn Barham was still sitting there in the Round 7 slot, and they pounced on premier linebacker value. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Micah Morris at pick 256 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.