Arizona Cardinals: Complete 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-Up and Analysis

The Arizona Cardinals have just wrapped up the 2015 NFL draft after selecting Mr. Irrelevant No. 256 overall. Arizona needed to maximize the value for all of its picks, as the team appears close to Super Bowl caliber. Looking at the Cardinals’ draft in the short-term, there is reason for optimism that the return on investment will pay off.

As for the long-term, the Cardinals added two intriguing developmental players to their defense. Arizona also packaged multiple picks together to maximize the quality of its rookie haul, instead of shear volume.

The Selections

Looking at the entire haul of the draft, Arizona seemed to get good value with certain picks, but not every pick. Its first-round pick, tackle D.J. Humphries, was a headliner that may not be sexy, but the selection is a long-term move that makes a lot of sense.

Its second-round pick, edge rusher Markus Golden, was a poor value at that point. Golden may end up better than some of his Missouri teammates, but he is an effort pass-rusher who does better against the run. Those types of players are not difference makers in a defense that relies on creating pressure on the quarterback. The team's other Day 2 pick was more promising. Running back David Johnson should immediately earn playing time as a receiving threat in head coach Bruce Arians’ offense.

The decision to trade up in the fourth round was a good move. Arizona would not have been able to roster nine rookies. But the pick was highly questionable. Defensive end Rodney Gunter is from a small school, which is fine, but his athleticism was not good enough to warrant such a reach.

Arizona did well in Rounds 5 through 7. Edge rusher Shaquille Riddick is a better pass-rusher than Golden and could force his way on the field in 2015 with his jaw-dropping athleticism and length. Return specialist J.J. Nelson will make fans quickly forget about the Ted Ginn Jr. experience, and tight end Gerald Christian can fight for a roster spot.

Best Pick: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida

Long-term, I love this pick. D.J. Humphries has the talent to be a franchise left tackle as he develops. He might have to move to right tackle in 2015, but he will be a massive asset for this offense.

Humphries is a terrific athlete who dominated for stretches of his career. The consistency isn’t there for Humphries yet, but the fact he added 20 pounds to his frame between the season and NFL combine shows he’s willing to put in the work to be great.

Worst Pick: Rodney Gunter, DT, Delaware State

Matt York/Associated Press

Delaware State defensive lineman Rodney Gunter may end up as a decent rotation player, but how long will it take? The price for Gunter was steep, as Arizona sacrificed two extra picks for the right to move up eight spots. His jump from Delaware State to the NFL is a steep one, so he might not see significant playing time for two seasons.

It’s easy to like this pick if Gunter had tested especially well at his pro day. But he did not. The limited highlights on him are difficult to evaluate since the level of competition is so poor.

We’ll see how Gunter develops in the next three years. Right now, it seems the Cardinals reached too far for a project player.

What the Experts Are Saying

Todd McShay, ESPN

ESPN draft expert Todd McShay weighed in with his thoughts on the Cardinals’ first-round pick, D.J. Humphries:

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This is an intriguing pick considering Arizona allowed just 28 sacks last year, the team's fewest since 2009 (26). Plus, the Cardinals need to improve their ground game and upgrade over right offensive tackle Bobby Massie. Humphries is a left tackle who is better in pass protection than he is run blocking, so it will be interesting to see of the Cardinals move Jared Veldheer to the right side. Humphries isn't a bad value at this point, though, and the Cardinals needed to address an offense that finished 24th in scoring last year.

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I agree with Todd on his overall point. The Cardinals didn’t fill an immediate need but went with their best long-term option. Humphries may or may not start right away at tackle, but he has great upside.

Bryan Fischer, NFL.com

After reviewing the Cardinals’ entire draft, NFL.com’s Bryan Fischer awarded the Cardinals with an “A” draft grade. He reviewed the class by saying the "Cardinals added a lot of high upside players who can contribute in defined roles for a team that is really close to a Super Bowl run."

I can agree with Fisher that certain picks fit the Cardinals really well. But their selection of Markus Golden in the second round sticks out like a sore thumb. He is not a great athlete, and his upside is tied to his effort.

Dan Kadar, Mocking the Draft

In Dan Kadar’s review of the draft, he gave the Cardinals a B-minus for their 2015 class. Here is his full review:

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The Cardinals lost Dan Williams and Darnell Dockett this offseason, and had a lot of options early in the draft to replace them. Instead the Cardinals added two pass rushers in Golden and Riddick, which were good picks. Getting D.J. Humphries in the first round was questioned by some, but his upside is high. The Cardinals like John Brown so much in last year's draft, they took this year's version in the speedy Nelson. The knock on this class is a lack of a middle linebacker.

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I agree with Kadar’s take here. The addition of Riddick, Johnson and Nelson really stand out as potential steals because of their defined roles.

What’s Left to Address?

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Even after a good draft class, the Cardinals still have a few positions that could use help. Whether via trades or free agency, Arizona should be scouring the talent pool for depth at these positions:

Center

The combination of Ted Larsen and A.Q. Shipley isn’t terrible, but center was a weak spot entering the draft. Nothing has changed, so the position could still be upgraded. Arizona’s offensive line is so close to being completed, but center is holding this group back.

The veteran free-agent market is pretty baron at this point. Watch for June 1 cuts this summer for a potential upgrade.

Cornerback

Arizona seems content with its cornerback depth entering 2015. The Cardinals did not select one in the draft, despite having the chance to add one of several highly touted prospects. That was one area that could have used more help on defense.

With Arizona’s preference for long and speedy cornerbacks, it’s difficult to find players cheaply. The New York Jets have an abundance of cornerbacks on their roster, so calling about injured third-year cornerback Dee Milliner could be a great bargain move.

Final Grade

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Even with two reaches in Markus Golden and Rodney Gunter, this is a good group of rookies for the Cardinals. Humphries has star potential at tackle. David Johnson will be one of the most fun and unique running backs in the league early in his career.

Arizona augmented the roster nicely for 2015 and beyond. On defense, Riddick was a big-time get in the fourth round. If he had been taken in the second and Golden in the fourth, then the value would have been better.

Overall, Arizona did well. It was a meat and potatoes draft, which could end up being a critical part of the team's success. Without a dynamic, proven pass-rusher and cornerback, the grade hovers slightly above average.

Grade: B-

All stats used are from sports-reference.com.

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

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