Arizona Cardinals Draft Review

1st Round, Pick #5: Patrick Peterson (CB L.S.U)

I applaud Arizona for making the smart decision, which I realize is rarely a given now, and just taking the #1 overall player on pretty much everybody's board. Everyone knows how much I love Patrick Peterson, and I do not think it will be long before he is the best cornerback in the league. He is 225 and build like a linebacker, but is among the fastest guys in the draft. He is 6-2, but as agile, and fluid as any cornerback I have seen. Excellent grab for Arizona, and now Peterson and DRC make up the best CB combo in the league!

Grade- A+

2nd Round, Pick #38: Ryan Williams (RB Virginia Tech)

Arizona has tried time and time again to solve their problems running the ball, but to no avail, from Edgerrin James, to Tim Hightower, to Beanie Wells, they haven't been able to find a consistent back. Ryan Williams is not spectacular, but he will undoubtedly bring some stability to their backfield finally. He does not excel in one particular aspect, but he is very good at everything. He runs low to the ground, breaks a lot of tackles, has quick feet, and can bust off a long run every now and then. If Williams had stayed in college 1 more year, it is very possible he would have been a Top-15 pick next year, so this is a very good value for Arizona.

Grade- A

3rd Round, Pick #69: Rob Housler (TE Florida Atlantic)

Even when the Cardinals passing game was ripping it up a couple years ago, they still never had a tight end who could get down the field and make some plays. They are hoping Rob Housler can be that guy. Housler is a terrific athlete, at 6-5 250, he runs a 4.55 40, has great quickness and agility. He is very raw however, and not NFL Ready. He is a below average blocker, though he has the size to develop into a good one. And despite his great combo of size and athleticism, he wasn't exactly a dynamic receiver in college. He also has inconsistent hands, and will drop some passes. Housler has a lot of potential, but I think he is too raw to get selected early in the third round.

Grade- C-

4th Round, Pick #103: Sam Acho (DE/OLB Texas)

Arizona's leading sack getter last year only tallied up 6 sacks, and that was their 5 Tech Defensive End Calais Campbell. Arizona desperately needed to add a 3-4 edge rusher, somebody with strength and quickness to at least demand some attention. Sam Acho will be making the transition over from the 3 point stance, but has shown the athleticism to be able to drop back and do fine in coverage. He was very productive in college, thanks to his non-stop motor, and tenacity he plays with on every play. I really like Acho in the 4th round, and he fills a huge hole on the roster

Grade- A

5th Round, Pick #136: Anthony Sherman (FB Connecticut)

I just don't understand these types of picks at all, taking a fullback, which are a dime a dozen, in the 5th round makes no sense, especially when the fullback is not that much better than any other fullback that could be picked up off the street. I understand that Coach Whisenhunt wants to get back to more of a power running style, but fullbacks are just not all that valuable, and in the 5th round, they could have easily gotten a player who could have made a much bigger impact.

Grade- F

6th Round, Pick #171: Quan Sturdivant (ILB North Carolina)

There had to be some reason that I am not aware of, so that Quan Sturdivant would be passed over by every team until the 6th round. Usually when a player falls like this, there is a reason, but I have no idea what it is. He was busted in college on a Marijuana charge, but I don't think that was the issue. On the field, Sturdivant is a stud. He has excellent size, has very good speed, range, and tackling ability. He has shown the ability to effectively stop the run, drop back into coverage, and even be an effective blitzer at times. I cannot believe Sturdivant fell this far, and like I said, there had to be some reason, but for now, I view this as possibly the steal of the draft.

Grade- A+

6th Round, Pick #184: David Carter (DT U.C.L.A)

This was a solid pickup by the Cardinals in the 6th round, adding somebody who has a realistic shot to start for them in the near future. David Carter played defensive tackle at U.C.L.A, but Arizona will be looking for him to transition to the 5 Technique spot in their 3-4 defense. He is 6-5 300, and is a good run plugger, but does a nice job stacking and shedding blockers, which is exactly what a 5 Tech guy needs to be able to do. He is nothing special, but he is a solid player who has a good chance to contribute.

Grade- B+

7th Round, Pick #249: Demarco Sampson (WR San Diego State)

Another good job by the Cards picking up a player who has a very good chance to play a role for them. Like with David Carter on the last pick, Demarco Sampson is by no means a special player or a gamebreaker, but he is very solid, and well rounded in every aspect of the game. He has the ability to step in right away and be productive working out of the slot, as a guy who just knows how to get open, and catch the ball.

Grade- B+