April 29, 2013
Yes, knee-jerk draft grades are kind of pointless since nobody really knows how things will turn out a few years down the road, when picks can be fairly assessed. But every expert does them and just about every fan reads them, so for your viewing pleasure, we have assembled a compilation of assessments of the Cardinals' 2013 draft class, which "filled needs" according to first-year general manager Steve Keim, who added, "every guy has a
chance to come in and make an immediate impact."
Of course, every GM/coach talks up his draft class, but the numbers say some picks have to be good and some have to be bad. And according to the analysts, the Cardinals' picks fell toward the right end of the grading scale.
With 15 experts' report cards in, the Cardinals have an A+, three A's, three A-'s, a B+ and seven B's. In GPA terms, that's a 3.42, which ... well, we won't reminisce about school days. We'll just give you the rundown, one that's collectively pretty glowing.
Jen Floyd Engel, Alex Marvez and Peter Schrager, FOXSports.com
Floyd Engel: A. They needed a miracle and came PDC (pretty damn close).
The highlight is getting Tyrann Mathieu in the third. He is first-round
talent who now has been scared off weed. Win-win for them.
Marvez: B. They addressed their woeful OL with one immediate starter at
No. 7 overall (Jonathan Cooper) and by adding another guard, Earl
Watford, during Round 4. When it comes to Mathieu, they are hoping: A)
He can convert to safety after playing cornerback at LSU; B) The
presence of close friend Patrick Peterson can help keep him away from
the off-field trouble that has plagued him.
Schrager: B. The selection of Mathieu dominated headlines, but I liked
the team’s first two selections of Cooper and Kevin Minter far more. I’m
not sure if Mathieu is a corner or a safety in the NFL, but I know
Cooper and Minter can contribute right away. Arizona added to a solid
core this weekend. Unfortunately, they’re still far behind the three
teams ahead of them in the NFC West.
Mel Kiper, ESPN.com
Grades: Needs B- / Value B+ / Overall B
Last year the Cardinals allowed a sack on one out of every 11.7 dropbacks. This offseason, there's been almost a hysteria about their need to get better on the offensive line, with tackle mentioned often. But very quietly, rookies Bobby Massie and Nate Potter played a lot better on the edges toward the end of the season, and Levi Brown is also returning. That's why I had guard as a bigger need. The Cardinals drafted a future Pro Bowl one in Jonathan Cooper.
Jason Cole, Yahoo Sports
Grade: A
No matter what happens with Mathieu – and all outcomes are on the table – this is probably going to end up being a strong draft because of Cooper and Minter. Cooper is an extraordinary guard, the rare type that is worth not only taking in the first round, but in the top 10. You’re talking about a potential all-time great at that position. As for Minter, he’s a very good player who will likely start from Day 1. Moreover, Minter and CB Patrick Peterson are part of the plan to get the most out of Mathieu, an extremely talented and sadly undisciplined player. If that weren’t enough, the beauty of this draft could be in the combination of Okafor, Taylor and Swope, who all have a chance to be serious contributors.
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com
Grade: A
Best pick: Texas defensive end Alex Okafor was once considered a
potential first-round pick. He had some big games as a pass rusher, so
to get him in the fourth round is great value.
Questionable move: Some will say it's taking LSU corner Tyrann Mathieu
and moving him to free safety. I like the idea of doing that, but can he
stay out of trouble?
Third-day gem: I love the choice of Andre Ellington in the sixth round. He has speed. He is elusive and he's an air back.
Analysis: In his first draft running things, Cardinals general manager
Steve Keim came up big. He landed a lot of talented players throughout.
Rob Rang, CBSSports.com
Grade: A-
Much of the pre-draft focus nationally was on Arizona's tackles, but the interior was the scarier spot for the Cardinals, assuming left tackle Levi Brown returns to health. Jonathan Cooper's athleticism and versatility makes him a safe, solid pick, as was fellow guard Earl Watford three rounds later. Easy to fall in love with the Cardinals' guts to gamble on Tyrann Mathieu, who'll be moved to free safety. Mathieu is reunited with fellow LSU playmaker Patrick Peterson, giving Arizona two of the best playmakers in all of the NFL in their secondary, as well as the Tigers' MVP, inside linebacker Kevin Minter, a physical, instinctive run-stuffer.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
Grade: A-
Their most-talked-about pick was LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, who is a wild card on and off the field. But they should get more attention for their sure-fire selections. North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper fills a huge need for interior blocking help. LSU inside linebacker Kevin Minter brings sound tackling to their 3-4, and Texas end/outside linebacker Alex Okafor gives them more pass-rush pop for it. Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor can be a short-term feature option with Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams trying to shake off injuries. Texas A&M quick slot receiver Ryan Swope is a good late-round flyer.
John McClain, Houston Chronicle
Grade: A-
Cooper and Minter should be immediate starters who fill huge needs. They took a big chance on Mathieu. Rather than have him cover a slot receiver, he’s going to be moved to free safety. Okafor should have a chip on his shoulder.
Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated
Grade: B+
Analysis: The headliner here is CB Tyrann Mathieu, but it’s actually what Arizona did elsewhere that made this a very solid draft. G Jonathan Cooper (and later Earl Watford) will improve an awful O-line, while LB Kevin Minter was a solid add in Round 2 and DE/OLB Alex Okafor a steal in Round 4. Don’t sleep on the Stepfan Taylor-Andre Ellington duo at RB.
Steals: Damontre Moore, DE, Giants (No. 81); Alex Okafor, DE, Cardinals (No. 103): A pair of falling pass-rushers, Moore dropped to Round 3 and Okafor to Round 4. The knocks on Moore in the past weeks all centered on a questionable work ethic, while Okafor was viewed as a bit of a one-trick pony up front. Given some chances though, both will produce.
Nate Davis: USA Today
Grade: B
Guards aren't sexy picks, but they're invariably good ones, and Jonathan Cooper immediately improves a shaky line. Kevin Minter and Alex Okafor upgrade the depth of the defense, and Minter's likely to play immediately for suspended ILB Daryl Washington. RBs Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington brought great value at the back of the draft, and either could push Rashard Mendenhall for carries.
Paul Domowitch, Philly.com
Grade: B
G Jonathan Cooper will provide needed interior help to Cardinals’ o-line. LB Kevin Minter was good value in the middle of the second round, but with Daryl Washington and Jasper Brinkley there, I don’t know where he’s going to play.
Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune
Grade: B
The Cardinals did a nice job of landing talented players who can help them compete in a killer division. From versatile G Jonathan Cooper to sixth-round WR Ryan Swope, Arizona added depth all over the board. Don't be surprised if LB Kevin Minter and DB Tyrann Mathieu both earn starting jobs as rookies.
Randy Covitz, The Kansas City Star
Grade: B
Cooper and Watford will help a team that ranked last in rushing and first in sacks allowed. Minter is solid but smallish for an inside linebacker, but Mathieu, who will be tried at free safety, can be a difference-maker if he stays out of trouble. Okafor, who had 121/2 sacks in 2012, will be a needed pass rusher in the NFC West. Taylor, Stanford’s career rushing leader, will join a wide-open RB competition.
Andrea Hangst, BleacherReport.com
Grade: A+
Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim needed to help out his team's offense this year while also getting a few well-targeted defensive players and they did just that, hitting a home run in a draft year that required it.
From offensive guard Jonathan Cooper in Round 1, to safety Tyrann Mathieu in the third, from inside linebacker Kevin Minter in the second and to defensive end Alex Okafor in the fourth, not to mention receiver Ryan Swope and running back Andre Ellington in Round 6, the Cardinals nailed pretty much every pick.
-- Matt Swartz
