B+
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals won the weekend at the trade table. Grade: B+.
by Stan93 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 141 picks
· 32 steals
· 58 reaches
You can fall in love with a player. You are not supposed to marry him in the wrong round. The Cardinals did exactly that with Brevyn Spann-Ford in the 167th overall pick.
Every deal seemed to tilt their way, which is not luck. On value alone, Arnold makes the weekend a net positive. The veteran additions, Justin Herbert chief among them, give the class a floor the rookies alone would not.
The hoard sets up next April more than it helps this September.
Bottom line, more hits than misses and a roster nudged the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 1st pick they get a difference-maker at receiver at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
In No. 8 they get a run-stuffing presence up front, a steep price for the projection. A clean fit for the roster.
In the 9th overall pick they get a bendy edge with upside. The biggest hole, addressed.
Jared Verse at pick 10 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
No edge and no loss on Jer'Zhan Newton in Round 1, Pick 11; it is a wash and a sensible one. A need, and now a little less of one.
In slot 14 they get a blindside protector at fair value. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In No. 16 they get protection for the quarterback, though the board says they badly overpaid. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
A straight-up fair deal on Quinyon Mitchell at Round 1, Pick 17, value and slot in agreement. A minor itch, scratched.
In slot 18 they get a moveable chess piece at tight end, though the board says they badly overpaid. A real need, handled.
In pick No. 19 they get the heartbeat of the defense, a steep price for the projection.
In pick 20 they get a problem off the edge. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In the 21st overall pick they get a disruptor off the edge, though the board says they badly overpaid. The biggest hole, addressed.
In the Round 1 slot they get a long-term starter on the line. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In the 23rd pick they get a matchup problem out wide at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
In the 24th overall pick they get a go-to option on the outside, a steep price for the projection. Exactly the need they had to hit.
In the 25th pick they get a weapon on the perimeter, a steep price for the projection. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In the Round 1 slot they get a true top target, a steep price for the projection. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In pick 27 they get a three-down runner, a steep price for the projection.
In pick No. 28 they get a load in the middle, and a steal at that. A clean fit for the roster.
In slot 29 they get juice off the edge. Exactly the need they had to hit.
In No. 30 they get a double-digit-sack hope, though the board says they badly overpaid. The biggest hole, addressed.
In Round 1, Pick 31 they get a pocket-collapsing interior rusher, though the board says they badly overpaid.
In pick No. 32 they get an anchor for the defensive front, though the board says they badly overpaid. A real need, handled.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Marshawn Kneeland well ahead of where he belonged. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A tidy bit of business in the Round 2 slot, where Cooper DeJean graded well above the range. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.
Austin Booker at the 35th overall pick is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A premium they did not need to pay, Mike Sainristil a notch or two before his time. Depth on depth, at a spot that was hardly crying out.
Renardo Green in Round 2, Pick 5 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in pick 39 is fair value, right on his grade. Stacking talent where they were already deep.
They let Amarius Mims come to them and pounced at slot 40. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
By-the-book stuff, Tyler Nubin at No. 42 squarely in line with his ranking. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
No drama and no debate, Roman Wilson went about where he belonged in Round 2, Pick 11. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Graham Barton at pick 44 is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They robbed the room for Nate Wiggins here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
Steal is underselling it; Terrion Arnold at the Round 2 slot is a heist with the alarm still ringing. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
They took Xavier Legette at par in the 49th overall pick, which is nothing to complain about. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Jonathon Brooks slipping to slot 54 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. It fills a real need, too.
A quiet steal in the 58th pick: Ja'Tavion Sanders for less than the market said. The roster fit checks out.
Xavier Worthy in Round 2, Pick 27 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A slide stopped in the 60th pick, with Edgerrin Cooper worth more than the price. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Ja'Lynn Polk at slot 63 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They paid sticker price for Cooper Beebe in No. 65, and that is fine. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Michael Hall Jr. in the 66th overall pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
A big swing on Patrick Paul at pick 67, well ahead of any board in the building. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They read the board right and Adisa Isaac was the payoff at pick No. 68. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A market-rate linebacker, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Jeremiah Trotter Jr.. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Javon Bullard at the 71st pick is the proof. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.
Value with a capital V on T.J. Tampa in Round 3, Pick 8, a genuine coup. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.
No drama and no debate, Andru Phillips went about where he belonged in No. 74. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
A real head-scratcher, Maason Smith in slot 75 is miles ahead of his ranking. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Brandon Dorlus in the Round 3 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
DeWayne Carter at pick No. 77 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Mohamed Kamara in pick 78 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Jordan Jefferson. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A wild overpay on Tyler Davis in the 80th overall pick, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
They reached into another round for Mekhi Wingo, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Kingsley Suamataia at the 86th pick. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Nothing to complain about; Bralen Trice went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A straight-up fair deal on Kris Abrams-Draine at slot 90, value and slot in agreement. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
Cole Bishop at pick 94 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.
Sedrick Van Pran at Round 3, Pick 34 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Dominick Puni slid further than he should have, and No. 100 is lovely value for the offensive lineman. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
They took Zak Zinter at par in the Round 4 slot, which is nothing to complain about. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
The board had cheaper options than Brenden Rice at slot 104, and it noticed. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Isaac Guerendo at the 105th pick is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They talked themselves into Jamari Thrash at the 106th overall pick, and the board did not agree. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Jarvis Brownlee Jr. at No. 107 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Malik Mustapha in pick No. 108, miles early. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.
They paid sticker price for Javon Solomon in pick 109, and that is fine. A fine player at a spot low on the priority list.
Gabriel Murphy at Round 4, Pick 10 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They reached a country mile for Anthony Gould at the Round 4 slot, and the board is aghast. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Brandon Coleman at pick No. 112 is money in the bank, a offensive lineman taken below his worth. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Kamren Kinchens in the 115th pick. Stacking talent where they were already deep.
Value said wait; Jordan Travis in Round 4, Pick 18 says they were not listening. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Braelon Allen in slot 120. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Cody Schrader this early at No. 122. A need, and now a little less of one.
Will Shipley at pick 124 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the running back. The roster fit checks out.
The board had Cam Hart higher than the 126th overall pick, and the cornerback fell to them anyway. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.
Cedric Gray at the 127th overall pick is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Brennan Jackson in the 129th pick is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
McKinnley Jackson at Round 4, Pick 30 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A clean, defensible pick in No. 131 with a little surplus value in Jalyx Hunt. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
By-the-book stuff, Leonard Taylor III at slot 132 squarely in line with his ranking. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Nice patience on Jacob Cowing, who had no business lasting to pick 135. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Jarrian Jones is a better player than pick No. 137 suggests; smart patience, rewarded. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a better player than the Round 5 slot suggests; smart patience, rewarded. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They reached a country mile for Myles Cole at pick No. 139, and the board is aghast. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Braiden McGregor at the 140th overall pick is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Decamerion Richardson this early at the Round 5 slot. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Javon Foster at slot 142 is the proof. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A tidy bit of business in Round 5, Pick 7, where Erick All graded well above the range. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Value said wait; Nelson Ceaser in No. 145 says they were not listening. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Gabe Hall well ahead of where he belonged. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They did well to land Ainias Smith in the 147th pick, just ahead of his grade. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Khristian Boyd in pick No. 148 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Trevor Keegan in slot 150 is fair value, right on his grade. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Circle this one: Bucky Irving at No. 151 is a fall that decides a draft. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Caedan Wallace at Round 5, Pick 16 is money in the bank, a offensive lineman taken below his worth. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Tykee Smith in the Round 5 slot lands just on the right side of the ledger. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
They read the board right and Tommy Eichenberg was the payoff at the 157th pick. It fills a real need, too.
Good price on Mason McCormick in the 159th overall pick, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Josh Newton in pick 162 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
A tidy little value on Dallin Holker in pick No. 164, a step better than break-even. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
No edge and no loss on AJ Barner in Round 5, Pick 30; it is a wash and a sensible one. It fills a real need, too.
Brevyn Spann-Ford in pick 167 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Jaylin Simpson slid further than he should have, and the Round 5 slot is lovely value for the cornerback. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
Fair-plus on Beau Brade, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
They paid up for Sione Vaki at No. 170 when waiting would have done the job. Depth on depth, at a spot that was hardly crying out.
A real head-scratcher, Delmar Glaze in the 175th pick is miles ahead of his ranking. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Walter Rouse slipping to the 176th overall pick is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Nice patience on Marist Liufau, who had no business lasting to pick 177. The roster fit checks out.
James Williams at the Round 6 slot nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A clean, defensible pick in the 181st pick with a little surplus value in Ty'Ron Hopper. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
A wild overpay on Jawhar Jordan in No. 182, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Nothing to complain about; Tahj Washington went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
A market-rate edge rusher, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Cedric Johnson. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A reach for Justin Eboigbe in slot 186; a little patience would have been rewarded. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Grayson Murphy at the 187th overall pick jumps the queue by a touch more than is comfortable. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A big swing on Nathaniel Watson at the 189th overall pick, well ahead of any board in the building. A need, and now a little less of one.
They reached into another round for Jaden Crumedy, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Edefuan Ulofoshio in the 191st pick is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
JD Bertrand at No. 193 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Eric Watts at slot 197 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Trey Knox at Round 6, Pick 24 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Fair-plus on Nathan Thomas, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Layden Robinson at pick No. 202 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Javion Cohen at Round 6, Pick 28 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
They talked themselves into Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint at the 208th pick, and the board did not agree. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
No edge and no loss on Kimani Vidal in the 210th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Logan Lee. It fills a real need, too.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Michael Barrett in pick No. 222, miles early. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They did well to land Jaylen Harrell in the Round 7 slot, just ahead of his grade. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Darius Muasau at slot 226 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. The roster fit checks out.
They paid sticker price for Jacob Monk in No. 231, and that is fine. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Value with a capital V on Trey Taylor in Round 7, Pick 19, a genuine coup. Stacking talent where they were already deep.
They reached into another round for Jaylon Carlies, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Keaton Bills in pick 243, miles early. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Frank Gore Jr.. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Keilan Robinson in pick No. 251 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
No drama and no debate, Jackson Sirmon went about where he belonged in the Round 7 slot. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A wild overpay on X'Zauvea Gadlin in the 253rd pick, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.