NFL Draft 2011: How the Cardinals Stack Up Against the NFC West

Granted, maybe this is a little early to determine, but with all the articles about draft grades and what not, I was like what the heck?

And of course, it's going to be a bit subjective, as I'm the Cardinals writer.

But hey, I also think St. Louis is going to win the division this year.

So, let's take it round by round in the NFC West, and see how the Arizona Cardinals did against everyone else.

Round 1: Peterson the Best?

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TEMPE, AZ - APRIL 29: First round draft pick Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals poses with a team helmet during a press conference to introduce him at the team's training center auditorium on April 29, 2011 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian

I would have to say the Cardinals won this one...in a landslide.

I have serious questions about all three of the other NFC West picks, and I think some experts will agree with me.

(On a side note, it's great to see your first rounder have, according to ESPN's draft coverage, no big weaknesses.)

Aldon Smith probably shouldn't have gone that high. It seemed the Niners drafted need over value.

Smith is very young, and very raw still. Granted, San Fran probably needed a pass rusher, so you can't blame them completely.

But still, he seemed to be a bit of a reach.

St. Louis? Well, they can have Robert Quinn. I don't really want a guy on my team who didn't play football last year and got in trouble for cheating.

Seattle? Their first rounder wasn't supposed to go until Round 3.

So it's safe to say Arizona won this one.

Winner: Arizona

Round 2: Niners Get Their QB

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks to pass the ball against Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Niners trading up to get a QB didn't surprise me.

It was who they got that did.

Is Kaepernick better than Mallett? I don't think so. I don't like Mallett's attitude either, but Kaepernick has never impressed me as a passer. I view him as an athlete who can throw.

So for me, I question the Niners call.

I question Arizona's call too. Although I like Williams, they needed a pass rusher or offensive lineman, in my opinion.

So that leaves St. Louis, since Seattle didn't have a second rounder.

The problem? I thought St. Louis really reached for Lance Kendricks, who they could've gotten a round or two later.

So we're back to Arizona or San Fran.

In a bad round for all three, I'll be biased, because I think Williams will have the best pro career.

Winner: Arizona

Round 3: Everyone Reach...

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver #2 Austin Pettis of the Boise State Broncos tries to avoid cornerback #21 Rashad Carmichael of the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Imag

I think in this round, it becomes quite simple: whoever had the least "reach" wins in my opinion.

Because all the picks were reaches of some degree, again, in my opinion.

So I'm going to give this one to the Rams, because I like Austin Pettis, although they could've gotten him later as well.

But he'll be a solid red zone threat, something they need to complement a Danny Amendola.

For Arizona, I didn't like the reach at TE, although Housler could suprise.

San Fran picked a decent defensive back with much better players left on the board.

And Seattle went O-Line...again. Can't blame them really. I just haven't heard a lot of superb things about Moffitt.

Winner: St. Louis

Round 4: A Few Steals...

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LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 20, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I'll be honest...I thought the Cardinals got one of the best, if not the best, steals of the draft in Round 4 in Sam Acho.

The Niners also got a steal in Kendall Hunter, a very underrated running back. And when, not if, Frank Gore gets injured, he'll be a great backup. 

The 'Hawks had two picks...and two fairly bad ones in my opinion...including a receiver I've never heard of. 

The Rams? They got another solid wide receiver in Salas. 

I can see Acho being the best fit, but I do like Hunter, so I'll give the slight edge to San Fran. 

Winner: San Francisco

Round 5: Um...

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Anthony Sherman #49 of the Connecticut Huskies runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ph

This wasn't a good round for the NFC West. 

As much as I didn't agree with the Cardinals going with Anthony Sherman, it might have been the best value. 

Looking at grades given the players on espn.com, the grades for NFC West were 55, 30, 46, 53 and 30. 

Those two 30s? Defensive backs drafted by the Seahawks and 49ers. 

Seriously, does Seattle know something we don't? They reached everywhere. 

Winner: Arizona

Round 6: Duh.

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Mike Shanahan #87 of the Pittsburgh Panthers is tackled by teammates Quan Sturdivant #52 and Bruce Carter #54 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Str

Yes, I know I'm only looking on one site for my grades, but espn.com gave Quan Sturdivant a 72. 

Enough said. 

Another sad round I'm afraid.

And guess who the Seahawks drafted? A defensive back. 

Really? 

Winner: Arizona

Round 7: The Irrelevant

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ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 20: Defensive end Bruce Miller #49 of the University of Central Florida Golden Knights sets for play against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Bright House Stadium on October 20, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. UCF won 44 - 23. (Photo by Al M

The Rams drafted a guy that wasn't even rated on ESPN. 

The Cardinals? The second best wideout at San Diego St. 

The Seahawks? Another defense player not many knew about. 

I guess I'll give this one to San Fran, who got a decent player in Bruce Miller. 

Winner: San Francisco

Your Winner...

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TEMPE, AZ - APRIL 29: First round draft pick Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals speaks during a press conference to introduce him at the team's training center auditorium on April 29, 2011 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Ima

Based on the number of wins, I'd say it's the Cardinals. 

But the 49ers came very close, and St. Louis got a number of quality picks. 

Sure, I'm a bit biased, but everyone will think Seattle's draft just sucked. 

So, Arizona fans, you have something to feel better about.