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The 2018 NFL Draft has come and gone and the Arizona Cardinals had a nice draft... On paper... According to those who grade such things as the 2018 NFL Draft the day after it ends.
Let’s check out from around the web with the grades and a look at what they had to say about the Cardinals.
Pro Football Focus: Above Average
Rosen posted the highest grade of the draft class on intermediate throws, where much of the NFL passing game lies. Rosen ends up in a good situation and could provide the team with their quarterback of the future if things unfold as planned.
USA Today: A-
They were staring at a bleak future in a division that seems laden with young quarterbacking royalty. But GM Steve Keim pulled a rabbit out of his hat by obtaining pick No. 10 for UCLA QB Josh Rosen. It’s worth wondering if Bruce Arians regrets retiring now that Rosen and second-round WR Christian Kirk should be connecting for years as part of a promising trio that includes RB David Johnson.
Steve Keim got aggressive with the necessary offensive rebuild, and he got dazzling results. Rosen can outplay the other QBs in this class and deliver with his arm and moxie, starting over Sam Bradford from Day 1. Kirk will complement Larry Fitzgerald at first, while Cole should play right away, too.
Washington Post: A-
Whether there were, by Josh Rosen’s ever-changing calculations, nine mistakes or three mistakes made by the teams drafting ahead of Arizona, the Cardinals made an excellent move to trade up in the opening round to get Rosen at No. 10. He’s the most polished QB in this draft class and could take over as the starter relatively quickly
NFL.com: A
Edmonds was a worthy fourth-round pick, sort of a smaller version of all-around offensive weapon David Johnson. Campbell is a versatile athlete able to play outside corner or free safety, two areas of need for the team.
SI: B+
WR Christian Kirk (a Scottsdale native) has an even greater chance to play right away, considering there were no proven everydown receivers behind Larry Fitzgerald. However replacing the soon-to-be 35-year-old Fitzgerald long-term may have been the main inspiration behind this pick, given that Kirk, stylistically, projects as a possession slot guy. Cole is here to supplant A.Q. Shipley, who is almost 32 and in the final year of his contract.
CBS Sports: Draft Winner
Smart move by GM Steve Keim the following day, as well, when he added Christian Kirk as a future and current receiving asset for his quarterbacks in 2018 and beyond (who knows if Sam Bradford actually starts, but he’s the current plan with Rosen having the option to challenge him). Mason Cole gives them a ton of versatility on the offensive line at the guard and center positions.
A lot of positives coming out of the draft for the Arizona Cardinals.
May be the best one of the Steve Keim era... On paper, to the pundits.