Mel Kiper 2011 Draft Regrade Gives Arizona Cardinals Higher Marks

by Jess Root on Jan 12, 2012 11:00 AM MST in NFL Draft/Combine

When the Arizona Cardinals finished their selections of the 2011 NFL Draft, because of their first round pick, cornerback Patrick Peterson, Arizona got good initial grades. In fact, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. gave Arizona a B overall.

He also gave Arizona originally an A- for value because Peterson was his number one guy and he fell to number five.

He recently regraded the draft (you will need an Insider account to read the entire thing) and the Cards got a slight increase.

He noted that Peterson is "the real deal," and spoke of his defensive improvement. Likewise, the selection of Sam Acho and David Carter were praised:

I gave the Cards an A-minus for value because Peterson was No. 1 on my Big Board going into the season. He needed refinement at corner, but his improvement was steady from Week 1 through Week 17, and he's right there with Devin Hester already as one of the most dangerous return men in the league. Ryan Williams was lost in the preseason, and Rob Housler was a nonentity, but Sam Acho was a nice fourth-round find (at a need spot). He had seven sacks and became a starter. David Carter added a little depth in the sixth. This draft class could be better, but it has a couple of good stories to fall back on.

The final regrade? A "B." The sad thing is that the grade could have been even better had Williams not had gone down for the year.

Another thing that was a bummer was the fact that both Kevin Kolb and John Skelton struggled at hitting Housler. Housler did drop some, but there were several times in the season when Housler was open down the field and the quarterbacks simply could not get him the ball.

in the end, at least after one season, it is hard to argue Kiper's grade. So far, the draft has been good. While Williams got hurt, the only player not to contribute this season was Quan Sturdivant, who spent the season on the practice squad.

Do you agree? Would you give the Cards' 2011 draft class a "B," or would the grade be different?

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Come on give this class a A Peterson was what we expected especially down the end as his covering skills got better. He covered the teams home run threath, Acho if playing earlier would have increased his stats. We saw what Ryan was capable of in camp the moves he put on so we know his worth. Carter after another year will continue his growth. Sherman was a monster blocking and on special teams, Robert due to injuries was out started off good, wide open on some routes, that his job get open. So we draft again like this for 2012 would make me very happy

by naironpalm3 on Jan 12, 2012 12:10 PM MST reply actions

Where is the love for Sherman?

The guy had some monster blocks this season. Against Seattle in week 17 he paved the way like a road grater.
B+ draft.

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 12, 2012 12:38 PM MST reply actions

+1

Sherm was the reason our running game was much improved

by Will Smith on Jan 12, 2012 12:46 PM MST up reply actions

yes sherman seems unappreciated he was drafted to fill a need, did more tha we could have asked for

by naironpalm3 on Jan 12, 2012 2:22 PM MST reply actions

Has to be an A IMO

Maybe an A-. We had so many contributors…. Sherman was phenomenal, PP was PP, Acho was a solid pick in the 4th. David Carter looks legit. We will have to see with Williams but pretty much everyone contributed including 2 of them being starters (1 for the whole season). Housler would have been an “entity” if the QBs had thrown more accurately. I only remember one key drop in the middle of the field by him that was negatively significant.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 12, 2012 2:28 PM MST reply actions

I'd give the draft class an A

Sherman was outstanding, Acho was a steal, Peterson is a great punt returner and WILL improve at CB, Williams showed promise on a few of his carries, Housler was a bit of a reach but still blocked well, inconsistency at the QB position really hurt him, Im excited for Sampson but to many WR’s on the Roster hurt him. Carter looks like he can be good, and Sturdivant, although he was on the PS, might fill in well beside Washington next year.

by Alex Mann on Jan 12, 2012 8:09 PM MST reply actions

love and cant wait to see if Sturdivant contributes after picking up the scheme of this defense and yes if yes our QB had hit robert when open we would be talking awesome

by naironpalm3 on Jan 13, 2012 9:01 AM MST up reply actions