Arizona Cardinals' First-Round Draft Grade: Wide Receiver Michael Floyd

The Arizona Cardinals selected wide receiver Michael Floyd with the 13th pick in the 2012 NFL draft on Thursday.

The wait is over. The pick is in. Somewhere, Larry Fitzgerald has a big smile on his face.

Grade: A+

Why? Since Arizona traded Anquan Boldin to Baltimore, the Cardinals have lacked a true No. 2 threat opposite Fitzgerald. Floyd gives them that immediately, and learning from No. 11 will help the young man turn himself into an All-Pro on—and off—the field.

It is no secret Floyd has had off-the-field issues (if you call college drinking an issue).

It appears those days are behind him. If they are not, they will be now that Fitzgerald is watching. He won’t allow any shenanigans.

Whether Kevin Kolb or John Skelton begins the year as the Cardinals’ starting quarterback is irrelevant at the moment. The receiving corps has been significantly upgraded, and that alone will help the quarterbacks improve their game.

Floyd’s ability to go up and get the ball in the red zone will make Arizona a scary team on Sundays.

With running back Ryan Williams on schedule to return from a ruptured patella tendon and Beanie Wells’ power in goal-line situations, expect the offense to succeed greatly in such situations.

Floyd is also an excellent blocker—perhaps the best in the 2012 class of receivers—and can help set the edge for Williams and Wells. He is long and strong enough to get inside the pads of defensive backs and drive them off the ball, taking them out of the play.

What this means for Andre Roberts, last year’s No. 2 receiver, is that he must now fight for the slot receiver role with Early Doucet.

Arizona left DE/OLB Melvin Ingram and a slew of offensive tackles on the board, and it will be for the best that this happened. Wide receiver is a bigger need than a pass rusher and tackle, and Floyd was the best player available to the Cardinals while also taking need into consideration.

Michael Floyd, welcome to the Arizona Cardinals.