With the 2023 NFL Draft now over, we can accurately re-assess the depth charts of teams around the NFL. In this series, we’ll be taking a look at players who either gained or lost value based on what their team did during the draft.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
DRAFT CLASS
- Round One, Pick Six: Paris Johnson Jr., OT Ohio State
- Round Two, Pick 41: BJ Ojulari, LB LSU
- Round Three, Pick 72: Garrett Williams, CB Syracuse
- Round Three, Pick 94: Michael Wilson, WR Stanford
- Round Four, Pick 122: Jon Gaines II, OG UCLA
- Round Five, Pick 139: Clayton Tune, QB Houston
- Round Five, Pick 168: Owen Pappoe, LB Auburn
- Round Six, Pick 180: Kei'Trel Clark, CB Louisville
- Round Six, Pick 213: Dante Stills, DT West Virginia
WINNER: Kyler Murray, QB
Things went very well for Murray during NFL Draft week. First, we heard positive news about his injury recovery. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Murray made “good progression” during pre-draft workouts. Gannon even said he’s “excited” about where Murray is at in his recovery. Murray tore his ACL in week 14 last season. It’s extremely unlikely that he will be ready for week one, but if he continues to progress at this rate, he could be back on the field before the midway point of the season.
Second, the Cardinals bolstered their offensive line. Murray’s injury history has been one of the biggest knocks against him during his NFL career, but his protection has not helped to keep him healthy. Pro Football Focus ranked the Cardinals as the 24th-best offensive line in 2022. The Cardinals traded back from the third spot, and then traded back up to pick Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr with the sixth overall pick. Murray reportedly admired Johnson in the pre-draft process, and hoped that they would bring him to Arizona. Johnson, the first offensive lineman selected in the draft, was widely considered the best tackle in the class. He could play either inside or outside for the Cardinals, but he will be starting on the line in week one, and he’ll be a major boost to the offensive line.
Finally, Murray’s pass-catching group got better, and didn’t lose its best player. DeAndre Hopkins is likely to stay in Arizona now that the draft is over. If Hopkins did get moved, Murray’s group of wide receivers would be missing a major puzzle piece, but Hopkins remains in the desert for now, and that’s great news. The team also used a top 100 pick on Michael Wilson out of Stanford. He may not make an immediate impact on the offense, but he could be the first player the Cardinals turn to in a world after Hopkins. Murray's weapons had a good shot to make a major step back during the NFL Draft, but it somehow got a little bit better, and that’s a win!
Courtesy of DLF ADP OverTime Tool.
Despite being an NFL Draft winner, Murray’s ADP is still down from where it was last season before the ACL tear. He may be a good option to buy low on, especially if you can afford to wait out his injury!
