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Cardinals
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Mattss DRAFTING FOR THECardinals
Draft Selections
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Draft Grade — Cardinals
Overall
B
ValueB
NeedB+
TradesB
FutureB-
The Cardinals left with their quarterback, and a B to match. Start where it matters. The Cardinals took Drake Maye to run the offense for the next decade, and every other decision this weekend bends around that one. Good, not great, and the B says as much.
They will answer for taking DT-EDGE early while edge rusher and interior defensive lineman went begging. Getting Cooper where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class.
The McClellan pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over. They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it.
Nothing here to lose sleep over, and plenty to feel decent about.
Pick Analysis
Pick4
Rnd1
Drake Maye
In the 4th pick they get the arm they will build around at fair value. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
Pick27
Rnd1
Brian Thomas Jr.
In slot 27 they get a home-run threat at receiver. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Pick35
Rnd2
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
No drama and no debate, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. went about where he belonged in pick No. 35. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Pick66
Rnd3
Edgerrin Cooper
Circle this one: Edgerrin Cooper at No. 66 is a fall that decides a draft. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Pick71
Rnd3
Blake Fisher
No edge and no loss on Blake Fisher in the 71st overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick97
Rnd3
Christian Mahogany
Christian Mahogany in pick 97 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick105
Rnd4
Maason Smith
They zigged when the board said zag, taking Maason Smith at DT-EDGE with edge rusher and interior defensive lineman open.
Pick137
Rnd5
Roger Rosengarten
Roger Rosengarten in Round 5, Pick 1 is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Pick161
Rnd5
Luke McCaffrey
Luke McCaffrey at slot 161 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Pick170
Rnd5
Kamal Hadden
Kamal Hadden in pick No. 170 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
Pick171
Rnd5
Jase McClellan
Jase McClellan at Round 5, Pick 35 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. The roster fit checks out.
Pick188
Rnd6
Johnny Dixon
A clean, defensible pick in No. 188 with a little surplus value in Johnny Dixon. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
Pick222
Rnd7
Jared Wiley
A tight end of that caliber at the 222nd overall pick is the definition of value, full stop. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Pick224
Rnd7
Keaton Bills
Keaton Bills at pick 224 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Pick249
Rnd7
Daijahn Anthony
Daijahn Anthony slid further than he should have, and the Round 7 slot is lovely value for the cornerback. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.