B-
Arizona Cardinals
Best value of the weekend goes to the Cardinals for Lawson: B-.
by m ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 5 picks
· 1 steals
· 4 reaches
The Cardinals did not reach, did not trade up, did not blink. They just waited, and Deontae Lawson fell into the Round 5 slot. No fireworks, but a solid B-.
If Gabriel pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about. Leaving edge rusher unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick 22 they get protection for the quarterback, reach and all. Exactly the need they had to hit.
A big swing on Dillon Gabriel at pick No. 53, well ahead of any board in the building. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Howard Cross III in the 84th overall pick is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. The roster fit checks out.
They talked themselves into Dane Key at No. 123, and the board did not agree. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Steal is underselling it; Deontae Lawson at Round 5, Pick 19 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.