With 2023 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to get an idea of how 2023 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Arizona Cardinals, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
These insights are an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 500+ page book “2023 Football Preview” which is now available for download.
In the book, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of the rookie class for all 32 NFL teams by draft guru Ryan McCrystal.
Who are the Arizona Cardinals rookies?
- Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio State | Round 1, Pick 6
- BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU | Round 2, Pick 41
- Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse | Round 3, Pick 72
- Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford | Round 3, Pick 94
- Jon Gaines II, OL, UCLA | Round 4, Pick 122
- Clayton Tune, QB, Houston | Round 5, Pick 139
- Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn | Round 6, Pick 168
- Kei'Trel Clark, CB, Louisville | Round 6, Pick 180
- Dante Stills, DT, West Virginia | Round 6, Pick 213
Arizona Cardinals Draft Class Grade:
The Cardinals received an A+ rookie class draft grade from PFF, an A- from ESPN, and a B+ from NFL Network.
Which Cardinals Rookies Will Make An Impact?
In his first year in Arizona, Monti Ossenfort did well to trade down before landing Paris Johnson (first round).
Johnson is Arizona’s left tackle of the future but will likely begin his career elsewhere on the line due to the presence of D.J. Humphries.
Johnson spent his sophomore year at Ohio State as the starter at right guard before playing left tackle in 2022. He should be able to make a smooth transition back to the interior if Arizona chooses to line him up at guard, potentially on the left side next to Humphries.
BJ Ojulari (second round) will immediately contribute as an edge rusher, even if he technically doesn’t win a starting job. The key to Ojulari securing more playing time as a rookie will be his ability to learn to play from a three-point stance after almost exclusively lining up in a two-point stance on the edge at LSU.
Garrett Williams (third round) likely would have come off the board earlier if not for a torn ACL which ended his season and prevented him from working out.
During his final two years at Syracuse, Williams allowed a catch rate 6.5% below expected based on route-adjusted data.
However, his ball-hawk rate was just 1.3% above expected. Due to a lack of talent in the Arizona secondary, Williams should have an opportunity to see immediate action once he’s fully recovered.
Williams will be joined in the secondary by Kei’Trel Clark (sixth round), an undersized but athletic corner who is coming off a disastrous year at Louisville.
Clark’s route-adjusted catch rate allowed was 13% above expected in 2022, and his ball-hawk rate was 53% below expected. Clark allowed more touchdowns in coverage (six) than he had plays on the ball (five).
Michael Wilson (third round) was a reach at a position of need, and it's tough to see a path to him having an early impact despite Arizona’s depleted depth chart.
Wilson is a tall (6-foot-2) possession receiver who lacks the athleticism to create after the catch or stretch the field. There’s a place for that type of player on an NFL roster, but only if he has elite hands.
Based on route-adjusted data, Wilson generated a catch rate just 0.3% above expected over the last two seasons and 6.1% below expected on the most common NFL routes (curl, dig, drag, flat, out, slant, screen).
Those are concerning numbers from a fifth-year senior who was working with an NFL quarterback (Tanner McKee).
Jon Gaines (fourth round) had an inconsistent career at UCLA but has played every spot on the offensive line except left tackle.
Though he mostly played guard in college, Arizona is weak at center. He may be given the opportunity to compete for an immediate starting job with Hjalte Froholdt.
Clayton Tune (fifth round) is an above-average athlete and an aggressive downfield passer with a strong arm. He’ll have an opportunity to challenge Colt McCoy for the backup job as a rookie.
Unfortunately for Tune, there’s likely no path to him starting long term in Arizona despite his interesting developmental talents.
Either Kyler Murray bounces back and holds the job for the foreseeable future, or the team is so bad Arizona lands a top pick and drafts Murray’s replacement.
Owen Pappoe (fifth round) is an undersized off-ball linebacker with elite range. He saw significant special teams action at Auburn and should immediately excel on coverage units.
Dante Stills (sixth round) is a versatile lineman who saw action on the interior and the edge at West Virginia. He won’t play on the edge in the NFL, but he does have the versatility to shift between a three-tech position in four-man fronts and defensive end in three-man fronts.
Arizona’s defensive line is severely lacking top-end talent, so Stills will have an opportunity to earn immediate playing time if he impresses during training camp.
The key to this draft class was Ossenfort’s trades. He equipped the Cardinals with an extra first-round pick (from Houston) and two extra third-round picks (from Houston, Tennessee).
With Arizona, Houston, and Tennessee all expected to struggle, that could mean the Cardinals enter the 2024 draft with two top-10 picks and six of the top 75 selections.