2023 NFL Draft: Analysing Arizona Cardinal’s Squad

The 2023 NFL draft ended on Saturday in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout the draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected nine players from the 259 picks, beginning with the No. 6 selection of the first round, after trading back from No. 3 on Thursday night.

ESPN’s pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Cardinals’ selections is as follows:

Round 1, No. 6 overall: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

My analysis: This pick has the potential to be a foundational one for new coach Jonathan Gannon. Johnson can be a building block for years, regardless of where he lines up.

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The Cardinals needed to add more blocking help for quarterback Kyler Murray.

This is the first year since Murray was drafted in 2019 that the Cardinals have selected an offensive player in the first round.

Protecting Murray will be a top priority, especially as he returns from ACL surgery, and Johnson will play a part in achieving this.

The biggest question surrounding Johnson is whether he will start as a rookie. The odds are that he will begin to, but the question is where.

He played left tackle last season, but Arizona already has a franchise left tackle in D.J. Humphries, who has three years left on his contract.

Johnson played guard in 2021 at Ohio State, so left guard could be an option for him with the idea that he replaces Humphries.

Johnson told Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort during his 30 visits that he wanted to finish what his father started with the Cardinals.

Round 2, No. 41 overall: BJ Ojulari, OLB, LSU

My analysis: After losing three of their primary pass-rushers, J.J. Watt, Zach Allen, and Markus Golden, during the offseason, the Cardinals were in desperate need of reinforcements, and that started with Ojulari.

No returning Cardinal had more than four sacks last season, so building out the pass rush was among the priorities for this draft.

Ojulari showed the ability to pressure the quarterback in college, and Arizona hopes he can replicate this at the NFL level.

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There’s a definite chance Ojulari could be a Day 1 starter for the Cardinals.

Since he fills a need, as long as Ojulari progresses throughout the offseason and training camp and shows signs of being able to produce from the jump, he could get those early reps with the first team.

The knock on him will be his size at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, but former Cardinal Haason Reddick was effective at 6-1 and 240.

Round 3, No. 72 overall: Garrett Williams, DB, Syracuse

My analysis: This pick was made with an eye on the future. While drafting a cornerback addresses a need, Williams is still rehabbing an ACL injury that ended his season in October.

He will need to go through the phase of testing the knee, getting comfortable with it, and not thinking about it, on top of the mental hurdles accompanying a return from a significant knee injury.

When he’s healthy and ready, he should boost the Cardinals’ cornerback room, which needs depth.

The biggest question surrounding Williams is when he will be expected to get regular playing time.

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He could be on the field by Week 1, according to his timetable of a July return, but he may not see regular playing time.

Round 3, No. 94 overall: Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford

As Michael Wilson enters the Cardinals’ offseason program, the question on everyone’s mind is where he fits.

The Arizona team needed more receivers, so there’s undoubtedly an opportunity for Wilson. Still, his spot in the rotation may depend on whether Deandre Hopkins remains on the roster come training camp.

 Wilson’s best bet to make the team may be as a depth player who contributes on special teams.

It’s important to note that Wilson faced some challenges during his college career due to injuries.

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He only played in 14 games in his last three seasons at Stanford due to a foot injury that stretched from 2020 to 2021 and a collarbone injury that cut his 2022 season short after just six games.

Although he stated on Friday that he’s currently in good health, his lack of playing time, despite performing well at the Senior Bowl, may make it more difficult for him to adjust to the NFL.

Key Stat for Wilson: He played just 14 games in his last three seasons at Stanford because of a foot injury that spanned the 2020 and 2021 seasons and a collarbone injury that ended his 2022 season after six games.

Round 4, No. 122: Jon Gaines II, G, UCLA

The Cardinals need some help on their offensive line, particularly at the center position, and Jon Gaines II’s versatility could be a valuable asset in filling that role.

Gaines has the physical build, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds, to become a consistent player for the team.

Additionally, Gaines’ five years of college experience, playing in 45 games, including one game in his first year, may make it easier for him to transition to the NFL than other rookies.

Round 5, No. 139 overall (from Broncos via Lions): Clayton Tune, QB, Houston

Clayton Tune joins the Cardinals as their fifth quarterback, and depending on his progress during OTAs, minicamps, and training camp, he could potentially compete to become Arizona’s third-string quarterback.

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While he possesses muscular arm strength, his biggest challenge will likely be the steep learning curve, mainly since he’s coming from a traditional air-raid offense.

With a deep quarterback room, Tune must make a solid impression to secure a spot on the roster.

Round 5, No. 168 overall (compensatory from Cardinals via Lions): Owen Pappoe, ILB, Auburn.

My analysis: In the fifth round, the Cardinals selected Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe, who possesses the physical tools that could land him on the field in specific roles early in the season.

Although his sideline-to-sideline speed and coverage ability make him an asset in specific packages, Pappoe may struggle to crack the starting lineup as an inside linebacker, depending on where Zaven Collins lines up in 2023.

Nonetheless, Pappoe’s versatility will be a valuable addition to Nick Rallis’ defense, requiring adaptability.

Round 6, No. 180 overall: Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville

The Cardinals addressed their need for cornerback help in the sixth round by drafting Kei’Trel Clark from Louisville.

Clark’s ability to play outside and in the slot increases his chances of getting on the field, but his size could limit his playing time and matchups.

Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 181 pounds, Clark may only find a role in specific packages and on special teams. However, his defensive contributions will earn him more reps as he gains experience.

Round 6, No. 213, Dante Stills, DT, West Virginia

The Cardinals added depth to their defensive line in the sixth round by selecting Dante Stills from West Virginia.

At 6-foot-4 and 284 pounds, Stills needs to bulk up to match the size of NFL players.

Once he adds more weight, his technique will improve, and he will learn the nuances of playing on the interior defensive line from the coaching staff.

Despite his lack of experience, Stills’ father, Gary Stills, who played in the NFL for ten years, gives him a valuable source of football knowledge.

His addition will help restock the defensive line depth, a much-needed upgrade for the Cardinals in this draft.

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