The Arizona Cardinals selected nine players in the 2023 NFL draft. With a new coaching staff and with a somewhat uncertain roster, it is tough to know what sort of role they each will have.
With that in mind, below we go over what the best-case, worst-case and reasonable scenarios are for each pick, with the caveat that we will not consider injury.
They are the best-case, worst-case and reasonable scenarios for a healthy season for each guy.
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OL Paris Johnson (Round 1)
Worst-case scenario
Johnson is outplayed by all the veterans on the roster and isn’t able to start as a rookie.
Best-case scenario
Not only does Johnson start, he starts at right tackle and quickly becomes one of the best young tackles in the league.
Reasonable scenario
Johnson is either a starter at left guard or at right tackle.
LB B.J. Ojulari (Round 2)
Worst-case scenario
Ojulari struggles with the speed of the game and is buried on the depth chart behind even guys like Dennis Gardeck.
Best-case scenario
Whether as a starter or a rotational pass rusher, Ojulari flirts with double-digit sacks.
Reasonable scenario
He carves out a rotational role all season and has a handful of sacks.
CB Garrett Williams (Round 3)
Worst-case scenario
Williams, partially because he is coming back from a torn ACL, isn’t able to get a role on defense.
Best-case scenario
Even without getting offseason reps before training camp, Williams finds a role early, eventually getting into the starting lineup.
Reasonable scenario
Williams starts on special teams but eventually gets some snaps on defense.
WR Michael Wilson (Round 3)
Worst-case scenario
He makes the team but isn’t good enough to be active on game days.
Best-case scenario
He carves out a role as the No. 4 receiver on the team.
Reasonable scenario
Wilson plays consistently on special teams and gets a handful of offensive snaps a game and a few catches as a rookie.
OL Jon Gaines (Round 4)
Worst-case scenario
He either does not make the team or he is a healthy scratch regularly.
Best-case scenario
Gaines becomes the Cardinals’ starting center.
Reasonable scenario
He is the Cardinals’ backup center.
QB Clayton Tune (Round 5)
Worst-case scenario
Tune can’t beat out David Blough or Jeff Driskel for a spot on the roster.
Best-case scenario
He earns the backup QB job and is the starter until Kyler Murray comes back.
Reasonable scenario
He makes the team as the third quarterback.
LB Owen Pappoe (Round 5)
Worst-case scenario
He can’t make the team or is just on the practice squad
Best-case scenario
He gets some fill-in reps at linebacker or carves out a role in a particular package.
Reasonable scenario
He is a core special teams player.
CB Kei'Trel Clark (Round 6)
Worst-case scenario
He isn’t good enough to make the team.
Best-case scenario
Clark earns playing time on defense or even gets into the starting lineup.
Reasonable scenario
He earns a role on special teams and gets a few snaps on defense.
DL Dante Stills (Round 6)
Worst-case scenario
He can’t make the team or he is inactive most weeks.
Best-case scenario
He becomes a key rotational player.
Reasonable scenario
Stills makes the roster and has a small rotational role as a rookie.
