Arians on Cardinals’ 2016 rookie class: ‘I think they all are going to be fine’
Jan 3, 2017, 10:20 AM | Updated: 11:26 am
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
It is often said you cannot fairly judge a rookie class until it is at least a few seasons into the league, but that does not stop verdicts from coming in.
Shoot, grades are handed out within seconds of each pick being made, before any of the players have even taken a professional snap.
For the Arizona Cardinals’ 2016 draft picks, year one was not particularly noteworthy.
None of first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche, third-round pick Brandon Williams, fourth-round pick Evan Boehm, fifth-round pick Cole Toner or sixth-round pick Harlan Miller made a truly significant impact, though all did see some playing time by the end of the season.
Asked for his thoughts on this year’s draft class, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians offered mostly praise.
“I think they all are going to be fine,” he said. “Robert, that ankle has bothered him all year. He fought through it, and then again he re-injured it the other day. It looks like it will heal itself in time, but I think he’s going to be a heck of a player.
“Brandon is going to be a heck of a player. Our number two choice is really good – 55 (Chandler Jones, whom was acquired via trade). Evan — the whole class — Harlan, he found a spot. That was a great play he made coming out of the middle to read that halfback pass.”
Others many not share Arians’ optimistic outlook, but regardless, here’s a look at how the team’s 2016 rookie class fared in its initial season.