Grading each draft pick for the Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals added seven players in the 2021 NFL draft. They landed five defensive players of the seven, adding only a receiver and a lineman on offense.
Defensively, they added a pair of cornerbacks, a safety, a linebacker and a pass rusher.
While it is technically too early to grade the picks for how they will actually perform on the field, we can evaluate the perceived talent, value and need for each player.
As such, below are grades for each of the Cardinals’ draft picks over the weekend.
Round 1, LB Zaven Collins: B
Collins is talented. He should be able to make an impact as a rookie and gives the Cardinals a dynamic future at linebacker with him and Isaiah Simmons. However, really only four players would have garnered an "A" grade and none of them were available. And while the New England Patriots would have drafted him 15th overall, the Cardinals get only a B here because they probably could have drafted him a few selections later had they traded back. They would have needed a trade partner, but had they landed Collins and a draft pick, that would have been an "A" first-round selection.
Round 2, WR Rondale Moore: B+
Moore is a dynamic player and is a perfect fit for the Cardinals' offense, but it doesn't quite get an A because they could have had receiver Terrace Marshall, who is arguably a better player. Moore is a better fit for right now but Marshall makes a nice "Z" receiver to replace A.J. Green in a year and could produce now if Green either gets hurt or is less effective.
Round 4, CB Marco Wilson: B
The Cardinals liked Wilson enough to move up 24 spots in the draft to go get him. However, he has torn both ACLs and is most known for his shoe-throwing incident, probably costing Florida a shot at the College Football Playoff. His athletic profile matches Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford and the team believes he will be very good. He checks all the boxes athletically and has some good tape.
Round 6, EDGE Victor Dimukeje: C-
Dimukeje was the most questionable pick of the draft for the Cardinals. That doesn't make it a bad pick, but it came out of left field. He does have some similarities to Markus Golden, his new teammate. However, with someone like Quincy Roche still on the board, it felt like he would have been a better selection. Dimukeje probably would have been available later.
Round 6, CB Tay Gowan: A
It is hard not to love Gowan after hearing him talk to reporters following the draft. In the sixth round, you never get a perfect prospect. His issue is only one year of tape. He spent a year at Miami of Ohio, one year at a junior college, played one year for UCF and then opted out of the 2020 season. He has top-end athleticism, has the right mentality, fits the defense and will be able to develop. No one is saying he will actually be "the Tom Brady of corners" except for him, but he will be a nice addition.
Round 7, S James Wiggins: B+
Wiggins is another super athletic defensive back who will push either Deionte Thompson or one of the veteran special teams players off the roster. He can play special teams and has upside as a safety for the future.
Round 7, C Michal Menet: C-
There is nothing wrong with Menet here, but a center is redundant on the roster. It will be a surprise if he makes the roster. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire's Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.Latest show:
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