ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals stick to value on draft board over positional needs

Apr 28, 2018, 9:12 PM | Updated: Apr 29, 2018, 10:32 am

(AP Photo/Matt York)...

(AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

One look at the Arizona Cardinals draft class and it’s safe to say that concerns on offense were addressed by general manager Steve Keim and first-year head coach Steve Wilks.

Five of the six picks the Cardinals made in the 2018 NFL Draft were on offensive players.

“In a perfect world, coach and I would have been thrilled to have balance and to fill some positions defensively if those guys warranted those picks. We had such high grades on those offensive players, we didn’t want to stray away from the board, which was important to us,” Keim told the media after the draft.

With the retirements of offensive-minded head coach Bruce Arians and starting quarterback Carson Palmer, there were questions on offense that many hoped the front office would answer on draft day.

But with the departure of safety Tyrann Mathieu, linebacker Karlos Dansby and a transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense, to only grab one new player on that side of the ball was somewhat of a surprise.

“We wanted to stay strict to high character guys, guys with coach’s DNA and I think we did that today,” Keim said.

The only defensive player drafted over the three day extravaganza was cornerback Chris Campbell of Penn State.

Campbell was selected on Day 3 in the sixth round with the 182nd overall pick. The other two Day 3 selections included fourth-rounder Chase Edmunds, a running back from Fordham, and seventh-rounder Korey Cunningham, a tackle from Cincinnati.

“I think we came through with a pretty good draft,” Wilks said.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Evan Brown chats pregame...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals questions post-NFL Draft: Who’s the frontrunner at left guard?

The Arizona Cardinals have plenty of candidates at starting left guard. But who is the best option moving forward?

7 hours ago

Michael Wilson looks on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals questions post-NFL Draft: Is Michael Wilson the unquestioned WR2?

Michael Wilson enters Year 2 as the Cardinals' likely candidate to secure the WR2 role behind Marvin Harrison Jr. Will anyone beat him out?

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Trey Benson and Jared Verse former teammates turned division rivals talk trash on Burns & Gambo

Trey Benson and Jared Verse former teammates turned division rivals talk trash on Burns & Gambo.

2 days ago

Jacob Roberts #40 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons attempts to tackle Trey Benson #3 of the Florida...

Kellan Olson

New Cardinals RB Trey Benson, FSU teammate Jared Verse banter as future opponents

Cardinals running back Trey Benson was asked about having to face his collegiate teammate Jared Verse. So then he handed the phone to Verse.

2 days ago

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson #DB64 of Texas Tech participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas...

Kellan Olson

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson manifested getting drafted ‘home’ by Arizona Cardinals

Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson felt a connection to the Arizona Cardinals in the pre-draft process and it came to fruition.

2 days ago

Tip Reiman runs the 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Wolf or Tip? Cardinals rookie TE Tip Reiman prides himself on being a mauler

Arizona Cardinals 2024 third-round pick Tip Reiman isn't one to hide from contact. In fact, he welcomes it with open arms.

2 days ago

Cardinals stick to value on draft board over positional needs