Recapping All 32 NFL Draft Classes from 2017
Arizona Cardinals
Needs Entering Draft: QB, WR, IOL, CB
Positions Drafted: RB, WR, OT, IOL, ILB, S
The glaring hole that the Arizona Cardinals missed in this draft was -- once again -- finding a successor to quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer hasn’t been able to stay healthy and good for a full 16 games in a while, so this is becoming ever more important as the years go on. They also selected safety Budda Baker in the second round, and while he’s not a classic cornerback, he should fill in at the slot corner at points and free Tyrann Mathieu to play there almost exclusively.
Guard Dorian Johnson and tackle Will Holden were taken in the fourth and fifth round of this draft -- solid additions to a line that allowed Palmer to get pummeled 117 times in 2016 and lagged for the running game. Johnson could start right away. Haason Reddick, the Cards' first-round pick, is a movable chess piece on defense who could grow into the inside linebacker spot but can wreck as an A-gap blitzer. Wide receiver Chad Williams is a small-school gem, and T.J. Logan is a nice receiving back who should help stabilize the pass game, too.