The Arizona Cardinals 2023 NFL Draft made the most of the draft board by restocking a roster that lacked imagination, and this review reflects that effort. General manager Monti Ossenfort had a plan and executed it to perfection. Ossenfort found a next-generation anchor for the offensive line and retooled the defense. New head coach Jonathan Gannon has a full arsenal to go to war each and every gameday.
The grade for the Cardinals and Ossenfort is high. By the time the draft concluded, Arizona had made nine selections. Arizona also added an additional first-round pick and two third-round picks for 2024.
As for how media outlets graded Arizona post draft, most give the Cardinals anywhere from A to A+. Arizona excelled despite being a team that too often leaves fans and analysts like scratching their head. On Saturday’s marathon of selections, Ossenfort left his mark in Kansas City as this team got remarkably better.
Arizona Cardinals 2023 NFL Draft Picks
- Round 1, Sixth overall, Paris Johnson Jr. OT
- Round 2, 41st overall, BJ Ojulari EDGE
- Round 3, 72nd overall, Garrett Williams CB
- Round 3, 94th overall, Michael Wilson WR
- Round 4, 122nd overall, Jon Gaines II, Offensive Line-UCLA
- Round 5, 139th overall, Clayton Tune, Quarterback-Houston
- Round 5, 168th overall, Owen Pappoe, Linebacker-Auburn
- Round 6, 180th overall, Kei’ Trel Clark, Cornerback-Louisville
- Round 6, (compensatory), Dante Stills, defensive line-West Virginia
Arizona Cardinals 2023 NFL Draft Review Grade: 9.5/10
Hear from GM Monti Ossenfort and Assistant GM Dave Sears recapping the 2023 NFL Draft.#CardsDraft https://t.co/D3nRkkItyJ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 29, 2023
Arizona Cardinals 2023 NFL Draft Review: Setting the Pace in The NFC West
The Cardinals were smart and efficient with their selections. GM Monti Ossenfort had a plan and executed it to perfection. Ossenfort wanted to not just fix his team, but put it into a position to win, and win now. Best of all for Arizona fans is that there will be a complete and highly competitive team on the field. They added excitement and playmakers to a roster that had few.
Quarterback Kyler Murray agreed to terms on a new five-year contract extension that keeps Murray signed with the team through 2028 He is also the highest-paid player in franchise history. Former Phoenix Suns star and NBA legend Charles Barkley had this quote about the negotiations with Arizona and Murray.
“I like it because when you start holding your stars accountable — I went through it with (Suns owner Jerry Colangelo) and I went through it with (Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons), like, ‘Hey, when you the man, you got to be the man.'” Courtesy of azcentral.com
The excuses and malcontent nature often used and expressed by Murray have been met with support and playmakers. He owns his successes and his failures all by himself from now on. Bottom line is it is all-system-go for Kyler Murray on offense. The question has been whether or not he is that franchise-changing player. Generational. The Arizona Cardinals and their fans will soon find out. Moving forward, it is now all on him.
The Best Player: Paris Johnson Jr.
Take 77 seconds to recap 77's journey to the Valley 😉 @ParisJohnsonJr x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/3JzjXlM909
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 28, 2023
There is not anything but positives and upside for Johnson. Smart and every bit the Cardinals new renaissance man, the Ohio State product takes his skill to the next level. Murray wanted him and the organization obliged. The 6’-6” and 310 offensive lineman will be an anchor for not just the offensive line, but the Cardinals organization. He was not a steal by any means, but a bonafide potential HOF’er in waiting. An absolute multi-touchdown kind of selection that set the tone for Arizona and the draft selections still to come.
The Head-Scratcher: Michael Williams
Wilson was never a star receiver at Stanford. Productive over the course of his career in Palo Alto, the Cardinal product is a grinder and hard worker on and off the field. That said, the challenges exist. Wilson suffered a season-ending foot injury in 2020 and another in 2022. He hasn’t played a full season since 2019, when he put up 56 catches for 672 yards and five touchdowns. Does that translate to the NFL game? Few could make that happen. He is small which affects his length to go after the football. Most troubling is the injury history. Something like that can end a career before it even begins.
The Surprise: Clayton Tune
Tune is THAT kind of player who will stick to an NFL roster on sheer guts, will, and raw talent. He is a gunslinger by trade and will be an asset in the quarterback room. He will push Murray to be better and more consistent in practice and on the field. Tune, who started all four seasons at the University of Houston, completed 67.8% of his passes for 7,618 yards and 70 touchdowns. As for interceptions, he had only 20 for his Cougars career. Tune led the team in rushing with 544 yards on the ground with five rushing touchdowns.
The Steal: Jon Gaines
Can't stop thinking about @jongaines77's Combine numbers? Us either. pic.twitter.com/67Ijk4FOyE
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 30, 2023
Gaines is a big man who will prove a big time boom for Arizona. Quick in his setup as a pass blocker to position himself against defenders, his hands at times will wander. Gaines has the mental makeup head coach Jonathan Gannon will like, but he needs to upgrade protection technique and improve core strength. The former Bruin has backup guard/center potential. With solid size for a guard, Gaines proved to be quicker, shiftier and more dynamic than other prospects at his position.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Clayton Tune
The @AZCardinals are getting the real deal!🏈
Check out Clayton Tune's highlights from this past season⬇️#AmericanFB x @UHCougarFB pic.twitter.com/fdKZBa5UPz
— The American (@American_Conf) April 29, 2023
As a four-year starter, Tune has a ton of playing experience heading to the desert. Having gone through his share of highs as well as lows throughout his career, it will serve beneficial in the NFL. Tune will immediately earn the respect of the locker room with his hard work. His tenacious nature on the field will make Kyler Murray pay attention and take note. His game play will make him a fan favorite and a mega hit at State Farm Stadium.
The Rest:
The Arizona Cardinals head into 2023 with a lot of youth and talent. Playmakers at every position, and a fresh new attitude long missing. This draft class has the ability to be special, making three days in Kansas City the best road trip of 2023.
Make no mistake, Kyler Murray is the straw that stirs the drink, but help is on the way. The Cardinals’ new fresh look in the NFC West will turn heads of opposing teams. The Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks have a new roadblock before them. Arizona is no longer a doormat leading to the division cellar. The biggest offseason acquisition of them all, Monti Ossenfort, has seen to that.
Main Photo: Mark Henle – USA Today Sports
