It is that time of year again! Thursday April 28th, Las Vegas Nevada will host the NFL Draft. Steve Keim and the Arizona Cardinals need to make a big splash with this year’s selections. They hold five picks in this year’s draft. One in each of the first three rounds, and one in both the sixth and seventh rounds, after their fourth (to Baltimore) and fifth (to Philadelphia) round picks were both traded last year. The Cardinals were also rewarded three compensatory selections, with one coming in the 6th and two in the 7th round.
They have been surprisingly quiet in free agency thus far, only signing four outside free agents. They signed a pair of Minnesota Vikings, in ILB Nick Vigil Veteran (one-year contract) & former first round pick CB Jeff Gladney (two-year contract). Also signed, is former New York Giant OG Will Hernandez (one-year deal), and veteran TE Stephen Anderson (one-year contract). They have lost major production, on both sides of the ball, with Cristian Kirk and Chase Edmonds leaving the offense in the offseason, and the leader of the defense the past few seasons Chandler Jones Headed to Las Vegas. They will turn their attention to the draft, starting Thursday, to address the loss of production in free agency.
Team Needs
OLB, CB, LG, RG, NT, OLB, WR, DE, DT, RB
2022 Draft selections
Round 1 pick 23, Round 2 pick 55, Round 3 pick 87, Round 6 pick 201, Round 7 pick 244
Compensatory Selection
Round 6 pick 215, Round 7 pick 256, Round 7 pick 257
1st Round: David Ojabo Edge Michigan
The Cardinals go into this draft with a few areas they need to address, after picking up Marco Wilson last year, and signing Jeff Gladney, I believe they can use their first pick to address another area of need. Despite losing Cristian Kirk, I believe the Cardinals will look to fill the hole Chandler Jones will leave behind on the defense. The way it looks now, the top two edge rushers in the draft (Aidan Hutchinson & Kayvon Thibodeaux) and Travon Walker will be gone in the top 10 picks. The Cardinals can only hope to see Jermain Johnson II, George Karlaftis or David Ojabo fall to them.
2nd Round: Cristian Watson WR North Dakota State
At 6’4 200 lbs. and a 4.36 40-time, Cristian Watson is a complete stud in the making! The Arizona Cardinals may look to pull the trigger, on Watson, in hopes of replacing the production they are losing with Cristian Kirk.
3rd Round: Coby Bryant CB Cincinnati Bearcats
Bryant proved himself last year! Teams avoided his side of the field because of Sauce Gardner. He was a projected top 5 pick. Bryant brings speed, length, and hard work to CB room in need of depth.
4th Round: No Pick (Marco Wilson Trade)
Last year the Cardinals traded up in the fourth round, giving up their fifth pick last year, and this year’s fourth to select CB Marco Wilson out of Florida.
5th Round: No Pick (Zach Ertz Trade)
Max Williams went down with a season-ending injury that prompted the Cardinals to make a block buster trade acquiring Zach Ertz from the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange, the Eagles got CB Tay Gowan and the Cardinals fifth round pick, this year.
6th round: Kennedy Brooks Rb Oklahoma
7th Round: Jeffrey Gunter Edge Coastal Carolina
Compensatory Selection
6th Round pick 215 Jeremiah Moon LB Florida
7th Round pick 256 – DJ Davidson DT ARIZONA STATE
7th Round pick 257 – LT Ryan Van Demark
