Reflecting on Arizona Cardinals top draft picks of the Steve Keim Era

By Sion Fawkes | Apr 2, 2021

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 15: Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates with DJ Humphries #74 after scoring his third touchdown of the game against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. Cardinals won 38-24. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

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Jonathan Cooper

We often think of the 2013 Draft Class as one of the weakest in recent memory. Especially since it lacked marquee quarterbacks. However, some of us will remember 2013 as the Year of the Offensive Lineman, especially since the Cardinals drafted one.

The Cardinals drafted Cooper at 7th overall in 2013, following names like Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel, and Lane Johnson. While Fisher was so-so during his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs and Johnson played well for the Eagles, Cooper and Joeckel were busts.

After just three seasons with the Cardinals, Cooper bounced around the league to six other teams (one practice squad) to close out his career. He played in just 46 career games, starting 31 of them.

To Cooper’s defense, however, he sustained a broken fibula during the 2013 preseason. Whether the injury hampered his career to such an extent remains a mystery. However, it stunted his development as an NFL guard.

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