Arizona Cardinals: 2016 NFL Draft grades

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The 2016 NFL Draft grades are in as the Arizona Cardinals went mostly defensive in the draft this year

We can put the wraps on another draft for the Arizona Cardinals. Overall I think they did a nice job getting players for positions of need. Although they said they wouldn’t draft specifically for need, they certainly went out and picked up some players in areas of need.

The may have gotten a steal in the first round, got a solid corner in the third round, and went small school on us in the fifth round. Here is a look at all six players draft by the Cardinals in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Robert Nkemdiche (Mississippi) after being selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the number twenty-nine overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

1st round:

Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

Why he fits in Arizona: After the departure of Cory Redding, it was clear the Cardinals were going to have to go get themselves another defensive tackle, whether that be through free agency or the draft. The draft makes more sense. Some have called Nkemdiche the second coming of Darnell Dockett. We all know how well that Dockett worked out for Arizona.

Why he might not fit in Arizona: He did have some off-field issues that had to be dealt with prior to making a decision on whether to draft him or not. The Cardinals did their homework on him though.

The Grade: A-. Nkemdiche slipped because of those issues but the Cardinals knew what they were doing. They talked to him and also had Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu talk to him. it is well documented the issues Mathieu had in college. He fits a need. Considered a top-five pick in the draft early on in the 2015 season, Nkemdiche could prove to be the steal of the first round.

Next: Cornerback of the future?

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