Arizona Cardinals’ 2015 Draft Potentially an All-Timer
By Jim Koch
Two years ago the Arizona Cardinals’ front office assembled what may turn out to be one of the best drafts in club history
There’s little argument that 2015 was an outstanding year for the Arizona Cardinals. It did end badly when the club suffered a terrible loss in the NFC Championship game. Nevertheless, the Cards accomplished their best regular-season record ever (13-3) and also recorded a playoff triumph over the Green Bay Packers.
In sync with the Cardinals’ magnificent season was a draft that is shaping up to be one of the finest in their history. Admittedly it’s early, but at the moment it appears that the front office has hit on five of their seven selections. An excellent success rate to say the least.
Initially, it looked like general manager Steve Keim and company had flubbed 2015’s first-rounder. Instead of taking a player that could contribute immediately, Arizona looked to the future. With the impending free agency of starter Bobby Massie in mind, the Cards drafted University of Florida offensive tackle D.J. Humphries.
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Critics lambasted the pick after the rookie failed to dress for all 16 regular-season and two postseason contests. It was one thing for Humphries not to play, but the fact that he never even dressed was what fueled the pessimism.
But the 2016 season changed many opinions on the 6’5″, 315 pounder. Humphries held his own as the starter at right tackle before playing even better after switching to the left side. His impressive play at left tackle prompted the coaching staff to keep him there for the upcoming season, with Jared Veldheer moving to the right side.
The second-round pick of ’15, outside linebacker Markus Golden, wasn’t even Arizona’s top choice at #58 overall. On the phone with the player they thought they’d be taking (running back Ameer Abdullah), the conversation got suddenly interrupted by the Detroit Lions. The Lions were calling to tell the Nebraska star that they, NOT the Cardinals, would be drafting him.
Golden is looking like one heck of a consolation prize. The University of Missouri tripled his sack numbers in his sophomore campaign, going from four in ’15 to 12.5 last season. He also tallied 51 tackles and four forced fumbles, production the organization has to be thrilled with.
David Johnson, the third-round choice, may go down as one of the Cards’ best all-time picks. His NFL totals after just two years are mind-boggling. 2,156 yards from scrimmage and 33 total touchdowns have the Northern Iowa running back on the verge of superstardom.
Out of the fourth round came defensive tackle Rodney Gunter from Delaware State. He impressed as a rookie when he filled in for an injured Corey Peters. All the 6’5″, 305 pounder needs to shine is more playing time.
Arizona had two fifth-round picks in ’15, the second of which was wide receiver J.J. Nelson. The tiny wideout had somewhat of a breakout campaign last year, when he snagged 34 balls for 568 yards and seven total touchdowns (one rushing). As with Gunter, increased playing time should do wonders for the 5’10”, 156 pounder.
Next: Cardinals Hoping Mid-Round Draft Success Continues
The only two “misses” from that draft were outside linebacker Shaq Riddick and tight end Gerald Christian. No draft is perfect. But the class that the Cardinals put together in 2015 has the potential to come pretty darn close.