Markus Golden to Arizona Cardinals: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The Arizona Cardinals added a sorely needed edge-rusher in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. Arizona traded down three picks with the Baltimore Ravens to get an extra fifth-round selection. With the 58th overall pick, the Cardinals selected Missouri pass-rusher Markus Golden.

"

TRADE ALERT: Ravens Receive: #55 overall pick Cardinals Receive: #58 overall pick #158 overall pick (5th round)

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 2, 2015"

Golden was a high-character and high-effort player for the Tigers football program. He worked his way up from Hutchinson Community College in 2011 to a starter in 2014. His first full season as a starter was productive, as he notched 10 sacks in 13 games.

Arizona will instantly like Golden’s ability to finish plays in the backfield. He wasn’t the one usually creating the pressure at Missouri; that was Shane Ray’s role (Ray went in the first round to the Denver Broncos). But with his 6’2”, 260-pound frame, Golden is big enough to bring down quarterbacks and running backs with ease.

The value for taking Golden so early is somewhat of an issue. Instead of taking a player with more physical upside, the Cardinals went for a more limited talent. Golden’s pro day numbers were not inspiring, and the one position you want athletes is at pass-rusher.

NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein projected Golden as a fourth- or fifth-round talent. He noted how Golden is a straight-line athlete that struggles with his hand usage once engaged. He is a pure effort player with room to improve.

My own evaluation of Golden prior to the draft is similar. He’s a good third-down pass-rusher because he is absolutely relentless with his motor. The fact he’s a one-year starter means he had limited reps to improve prior to his senior season.

There is room for growth with Golden. He can be an effective role player in the NFL and even in his first season. The biggest issue with this selection is value.

With Nebraska star edge-rusher Randy Gregory on the board, the Cardinals made a tough call to go with a less talented player. There are few, if any, teams better suited to help Gregory succeed off the field than the Cardinals.

Maybe this was a message that the Cardinals think Gregory will fail to adjust to an NFL lifestyle. It is understandable if so. Gregory has a history of marijuana issues in his past, including failing a test at the NFL combine.

Golden is opposite of Gregory. He is a safe pick. But the Cardinals paid a premium for the ability to sleep well at night, as opposed to causing nightmares on Sunday with Gregory out there.

We’ll see how Golden improves in the future, but right now, this pick was not a good value in the second round. The goal for a second-round pick is to become a plus starter within two years, and Golden is unlikely to be that player based off of his Missouri film and athleticism.

All stats used are from sports-reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @NFLFilmStudy