The 2022 NFL Draft has officially kicked off, and the Arizona Cardinals have made their first selection. As the seven rounds progress and the team makes all of their picks, we will provide a live draft grade and analysis for each of the Cardinals’ selections. How do these new prospects fit with the roster, what kind of impact will they have on the team, and what do the team’s needs look like now that the draft is complete?
Make sure to continue to check back as the 2022 NFL Draft continues for live Arizona Cardinals draft grades and analysis.
Arizona Cardinals grades for 2022 NFL Draft
What are the Cardinals’ grades for their selections in the 2022 NFL Draft as they look to address their main needs this offseason?
Round 2, Pick 55: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
It took a while for the Arizona Cardinals to get here, but they’ve finally made their first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. And what a pick it is. By selecting Trey McBride, the Cardinals added the class’ top tight end and a game-changer on offense. The Cardinals needed a tight end, traded back, and still came away with the best in the class.
Arizona secures McBride, who excels at everything you’d ask a tight end to do. He’s a dominant receiver and a great route runner. There’s deceptive speed in his game, and he’s a great run blocker. McBride pairs incredibly well with Zach Ertz – the Cardinals can deploy him from the slot or as an inline tight end in 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR) all the same.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 87: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
Commonly mocked with an EDGE in Round 1, the Cardinals ultimately traded out of Round 1 but still got a player with fringe Round 1 talent. Cameron Thomas is a power rusher with more than enough speed to win past slower tackles. He’s a bully at the point of contact and will require double-teams at times.
He’s almost in the mold of a stronger J.J. Watt but could use the honing of his craft playing aside the great Watt in the desert. Thomas has a strong get-off and comes down the line in run defense well. They needed an EDGE and grabbed a great one late in Day 2.
Grade: B+
Round 3, Pick 100: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The Cardinals lived up to the draft being in Las Vegas and doubled down on the EDGE position. After selecting Cameron Thomas with their previous pick, they grabbed Myjai Sanders from Cincinnati giving them three Day 2 picks and two edge rushers selected. Sanders does offer a different skill set than Thomas as he’s a larger-than-life pass rusher with an ability to rush from a variety of alignments.
Sanders can stand up and rush off the ball or put his hand in the dirt to get after the passer. He has plus skills in run defense and certainly isn’t a slouch in that regard. Sanders may not have the most sound technique in all facets, but he’s a high-motor guy who will constantly pursue the play.
Grade: C+
Round 6, Pick 201: Keaontay Ingram, RB, USC
The Cardinals brought back James Conner, but losing Chase Edmonds hurt their depth at running back. Adding Keaontay Ingram in Round 6 softens the blow. Ingram quietly has an exceptionally intriguing skill set. He has a strong 6’0”, 221-pound frame but also features spry short-area athleticism and good burst in space. Also impressive is Ingram’s receiving ability. He can run routes out of the backfield, track the ball in the air, and convert at the catch point. This is a strong pick for Arizona, as Ingram could eventually become their RB2.
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 215: Lecitus Smith, G, Virginia Tech
The Cardinals appear set on the offensive line for the time being. That said, Lecitus Smith could factor in as a sixth-round pick. Smith provides tremendous value here. At 6’3”, 314 pounds, he’s a bit undersized, and his length is a notable limitation.
Nonetheless, Smith is a compact blocker with powerful hands, and he also moves very well in space. His frame affords him natural leverage, but he also has the athleticism to recover and get off the line quickly. He’s a great backup at guard with potential starting upside for Arizona, but he could also transition to center with his frame.
Grade: A
Round 7, Pick 244: Christian Matthew, CB, Valdosta State
From Tony Pauline’s scouting report on Christian Matthew: “Nice-sized corner with a physical game. Quick flipping his hips in transition off the line, mixes it up with opponents throughout the route, and uses his size to defend passes. Quick up the field and gives effort defending the run.”
Although they added Jeff Gladney this offseason, it’s still a surprise to see the Cardinals wait until this late in the day to add a cornerback (and especially one so under the radar as the well-traveled Valdosta State prospect).
Grade: D
Round 7, Pick 256: Jesse Luketa, EDGE, Penn State
The Arizona Cardinals continue to rack up the EDGE talent in this 2022 NFL Draft class. Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders were great gets earlier on, and Jesse Luketa is excellent value here at the back end of the seventh round. Luketa does his best work against the run. A hot motor, decent play speed, and explosive lateral agility are weaponized by the football intelligence that allows him to diagnose at a high level. He’s a decent coverage player, too, with fluid hips that allow him to transition from a decent backpedal to a run.
Grade: A
Round 7, Pick 257: Marquis Hayes, G, Oklahoma
The Cardinals got two excellent offensive guard prospects at excellent value on Day 3, first picking Lecitus Smith and then taking Oklahoma’s Marquis Hayes at the bottom of Round 7. Being 6’5”, 318 pounds, Hayes struggles with pad level at times. But with his 35” arms, he has immense power capacity and great upper body torque. His hands have eye-catching knockback power, and he’s an all-out mauler who consistently finishes plays. Combine that with his passable straight-line mobility in space, and he brings a lot to like.
Grade: A
What were the Cardinals’ biggest needs entering the draft?
- EDGE, CB, OT, DT, WR
The departure of Chandler Jones has left the Cardinals short when it comes to their pass rush. That issue is exacerbated by a need at cornerback. The combination of those two needs could have big implications for the Cardinals’ ability to defend the pass.
Additionally, there are needs for the Cardinals on both of their lines. Those needs are somewhat more long-term than immediate, but there are certainly concerns. Additionally, the departure of Christian Kirk has meant Arizona needs to look at adding reinforcements to their receiving group.