ESPN’s Mel Kiper gives Cardinals 2017 NFL Draft a ‘B’ grade

The Arizona Cardinals did not get their quarterback of the future in the 2017 NFL Draft but still managed to address several needs on the roster.

ESPN’s draft expert Mel Kiper was a fan of the draft for Arizona, giving the Cardinals a “B” grade among his grades for every team’s draft.

Kiper spoke of first-round pick Haason Reddick’s flexibility in the Arizona system, being able to play inside or outside.

He had a great week at the Senior Bowl, and was one of the MVPs of the combine, running a 4.52 40 with a 36½-inch vertical and 11-foot-1 broad jump. He’s probably an inside player in the Cardinals’ 3-4, but he can get after quarterbacks from outside linebacker, too.

Kiper then notes that while the Cardinals paid a big price to move up for Budda Baker in the second round, he sees why and has a feeling he will be an impact player in his rookie season.

Arizona gave up three picks to trade up for Budda Baker, but I love the player. He might have been a top-15 pick if he had been bigger — he’s only 5-10, 195. The comparison I made before the draft? Tyrann Mathieu. Now Arizona has both of them, and after losing Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger, a plug-and-play safety was needed. Baker has cornerback-type cover skills, and he’s not afraid to tackle. He could be Arizona’s slot corner. I’m going to make an early prediction and say he ends up on my Rookie Big Board next season.

The third round is where the Cardinals failed to impress Kiper, as he notes wide receiver Chad Williams was a sixth or seventh-round pick on his board and there were several better receivers available in his eyes with that selection. This, of course, is nothing new for the Cardinals and a selection in the third round, as the same was said of their selection of cornerback Brandon Williams last season.

While Kiper had fourth-round selection Dorian Johnson ranked as a top-five guard and fifth-round pick running back T.J. Logan as the top kick returner, he still has concerns looking at the Arizona roster from a draft standpoint.

The lingering question over this class is the Cardinals’ not getting a quarterback and having no potential long-term starter who could replace 37-year-old Carson Palmer, but other teams traded up in front of Arizona, so I can’t fault them for holding steady. I would’ve liked a potential replacement for Calais Campbell, as well.

 

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