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z DRAFTING FOR THECardinals
Draft Selections
Draft Picks Received
PICK:
RND:
1
(LAR)
NEXT YEAR (2025)
PICK:
RND:
2
(LAR)
NEXT YEAR (2025)
PICK:
RND:
5
(DET)
NEXT YEAR (2025)
PICK:
RND:
5
(PIT)
NEXT YEAR (2025)
PICK:
RND:
7
(TB)
NEXT YEAR (2025)
Draft Picks Traded
Players Gained
Diontae
Johnson
WR
Colby
Sorsdal
OT
Draft Grade — Cardinals
Overall
A-
ValueB+
NeedB
TradesA
FutureA+
The steal of the weekend belongs to the Cardinals and Franklin: A-. When a board-topper like Troy Franklin slides to Round 3, Pick 20, you do not overthink it, and the Cardinals did not.
The James pick is fine in a vacuum, less so with quarterback and tight end still on the board. That quarterback hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall. The Ford reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade.
The imported veterans give this class a floor the draft picks could not on their own.
Bottom line, with Cooper DeJean leading the way, this is a class that should pay off fast and rarely be regretted.
Pick Analysis
Pick20
Rnd1
Rome Odunze
In slot 20 they get a matchup problem out wide, outstanding value to boot. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Pick27
Rnd1
Cooper DeJean
In No. 27 they get a lockdown presence outside at a price that makes it sweeter.
Pick35
Rnd2
Jackson Powers-Johnson
Fair-plus on Jackson Powers-Johnson, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Pick61
Rnd2
Patrick Paul
No drama and no debate, Patrick Paul went about where he belonged in the 61st overall pick. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick66
Rnd3
Kris Jenkins
A top-tier edge rusher at a bargain, Kris Jenkins in the Round 3 slot, plain and simple. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick71
Rnd3
Cooper Beebe
They took Cooper Beebe at par in pick No. 71, which is nothing to complain about. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Pick84
Rnd3
Troy Franklin
The board fumbled Troy Franklin all the way to the 84th pick, and they scooped it up. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Pick90
Rnd3
Bralen Trice
They barely believed it either: Bralen Trice still on the board at pick 90. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick92
Rnd3
DJ James
A curious use of No. 92. Quarterback and tight end needed the pick; a cornerback in DJ James did not.
Pick103
Rnd4
Leonard Taylor III
Leonard Taylor III at slot 103 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. A need, and now a little less of one.
Pick137
Rnd5
Bucky Irving
Bucky Irving in pick 137 is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Pick161
Rnd5
Sione Vaki
They jumped the gun on Sione Vaki, taking him earlier than his grade liked. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Pick185
Rnd6
Jaylan Ford
Jaylan Ford in Round 6, Pick 10 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Pick249
Rnd7
Evan Williams
A tidy little value on Evan Williams in the Round 7 slot, a step better than break-even. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.