Arizona Cardinals: Steve Keim’s modus operandi

The NFL Draft

Look for gems from small programs late in the draft.

The Cardinals have had quite a bit of success with this strategy. Star running back David Johnson stands out as a shining example. However, the effectiveness of this strategy does not end with the Northern Iowa product.

Wide receivers John Brown and J.J. Nelson have both started multiple games since the Cardinals drafted them from small programs, while defensive lineman Rodney Gunter and defensive back Harlan Miller appear to be in line for more playing time. The key to this strategy appears to be to pretty straight forward – a strong scouting department that leaves no stone unturned.

Move up and down the draft board to maximize value.

During his tenure, Keim has shown a willingness to makes moves up and down the draft board, but apparently only in the pursuit of maximizing value. Thus far, Keim has not made any blockbuster trades to move up into the early first round – though it would not surprise me if he made such a move this year for a quarterback. Instead, most of Keim’s trades have been smaller moves later in the draft.

For example, in 2014 the Cardinals did not like the value on the board when they were on the clock with the 20th pick in the first round. Instead of reaching, they traded the 20th pick to New Orleans for the 27th pick and the 91st pick. The Cardinals used the 27th pick on Deone Bucannon, and the 91st pick on John Brown.

Keim has also shown a willingness to move up to draft a player he covets. In 2015, he had his eyes on Rodney Gunter, but was aware that other teams were also interested in the small school product. In order to jump ahead of those teams and select Gunter, the Cardinals gave up a sixth round pick and a seventh round pick, to move up in the fourth round.