Arizona Cardinals: 2017 draft recap

It appears that the Arizona Cardinals did a fine job with the 2017 draft but it’s natural for fans to second-guess some picks

Watching the NFL Draft can be a frustrating experience for Arizona Cardinals’ fans. Before each pick is announced, viewers will scour their own personal draft boards, making their own picks. Sometimes you’ll agree with your team’s choices, sometimes you won’t.

This year’s draft was no different. While it appears that the Cards’ front office did a fine job overall, there’s always room for some second-guessing. That’s where the term “Monday morning quarterback” comes in.

Inside linebacker was certainly a need for the club this year. Free agent addition Karlos Dansby will most likely be a one-year band-aid for the departed Kevin Minter. Therefore, the selection of Temple’s Haason Reddick with the 13th overall pick of the first round is warranted.

But still, an argument can be made for a number-two cornerback being a much stronger need. Selected just three slots after Reddick was a blue-chip corner, Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey. Pairing the 6’0″, 197 pound Humphrey with perennial Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson would’ve been a match made in heaven.

The organization gave up a ton to move up nine spots (from #45 to 36) in the second round. The apple of general manager Steve Keim’s eye was University of Washington safety Budda Baker. The safety position badly needed addressing following the free agent departures of Tony Jefferson and D.J.Swearinger.

If the Cardinals had stayed at #45, Quincy Wilson would’ve been a fantastic addition. The Florida cornerback went just one slot lower than the Cards’ original second-round draft position. Wilson, like the previously mentioned Humphrey, has the size (6’1″, 212) that Arizona’s coaching staff covets in their cover guys.

Keim made another deal in the third round, this time with the Carolina Panthers, dropping back 21 spots to #98. It was there that Grambling State wide receiver Chad Wilson was chosen, a 6’1″, 203 pound, much-needed reinforcement for the position.

If the Cardinals had remained at their original spot (#77), Cal quarterback Davis Webb may have been considered. Needing a youngster to take the reigns when Carson Palmer retires, Webb could’ve offered some desired size (6’5″, 229) and arm strength. He instead went 10 picks later to the New York Giants at #87.

The trade with Carolina netted Arizona a fourth-round pick, replacing one they had sent to the Chicago Bears earlier. The new fourth-rounder was actually four picks better than the original (#115 instead of #119). It was here that they got what looks like a steal with Pitt’s Dorian Johnson. The guard had fell in the draft due to some exaggerated concerns with his liver.

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Another guard would’ve been a decent alternative in the round. San Diego State’s Nico Siragusa is a mammoth mauler in the mold of Mike Iupati. Johnson is certainly the higher-ranked of the two, but Siragusa is also talented.

With the first of two fifth-round picks, the Cards grabbed Vanderbilt offensive tackle Will Holden at #158. Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols, taken five spots later at #163, could’ve fit nicely as a backup running back. Though a bit undersized (5’9″, 215), McNichols amassed 2,183 yards from scrimmage and tallied 27 touchdowns in 2016.

With their second pick of the fifth round (#181), Arizona drafted running back/kick returner T.J.Logan of North Carolina. A safety taken 12 picks later, Xavier Woods, may have greatly helped replenish the position. The Louisiana Tech product had excellent numbers during his four years, accumulating 277 tackles and 14 interceptions.

After trading two seventh-round picks (one acquired in the Bears trade), the Cardinals final draft selection was actually a sixth-rounder. Safety Johnathan Ford was nabbed with the 210th pick of the draft. A possible alternative could’ve been Louisville long-snapper Colin Holba, taken six picks after Ford.

At the end of the day (or three in this case), Keim and his cohorts did well gathering this year’s crop of new redbirds. It’s not by accident that the GM and his scouts man the posts that they do. They’re much more qualified to shape the Cards’ roster than any of us “Monday morning quarterbacks”.

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