The Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL wrapped up their 2022 NFL draft classes and then began signing undrafted rookies. With the completion of the draft, there are immediate grades for teams and players.
All grades now represent is a perception of need, value and talent from the players selected.
How did the Cardinals do?
According to Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield, they did all right.
In their 2022 NFL draft grades, they gave Arizona a B-.
Trading the 23rd overall pick to the Ravens for receiver Marquise Brown was… interesting, though general manager Steve Keim apparently tried to trade up in the 2019 draft to pair Brown with Kyler Murray, Brown’s teammate at Oklahoma. So, it’s a nice reunion, but is Brown a first-round talent? Not really. Trey McBride is the best overall tight end in the 2022 class, and Kliff Kingsbury uses tight ends more than you think, so all good there. And I love the selection of Cameron Thomas, the underrated pass-rusher from San Diego State, who had more pressures than any other defender in this class, and reminds me of Trey Hendrickson.
But this class will be defined by the Brown trade, and if Brown doesn’t measure up, Keim and Kingsbury will have some ‘splainin to do.
It is uncertain why one would think the trade for Brown is interesting. He certainly is a first-round talent. He was drafted in the first round and was universally viewed as a first-round talent coming out of college.
He had over 1,000 yards on 91 receptions last season in an offense that is run-heavy and where he is the No. 1 focus.
He now gets to play in a similar offense that he did in college, where he and Kyler Murray teamed up to absolutely dominate.
He is better than any receiver they were going to get with the 23rd pick, they don’t have to wait for his development and his contract is manageable for the next two seasons.
They replace Christian Kirk for someone more productive and for less money.
Thomas in the third round is potentially a steal if he can prove he can get to the quarterback in the pros. McBride should put up nice numbers and give Murray a target to grow with him for the next several seasons.
B- is certainly fair. They did not address cornerback or the offensive line until Day 3, but there isn’t anything necessarily wrong with this draft.
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