Arizona Cardinals 2014 NFL Draft Grades

Posted By Chris Ransom

Arizona Cardinals: Deone Bucannon, SS, Washington State

Arizona Cardinals Day 1 Draft Grade: (B) Deone Bucannon is a third-round prospect. Thing is, he’s worked hard in the rookie minicamps. He could be the next Adrian Wilson if he keeps this up. Not to mention he will be on a secondary that features Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie, and Tyrann Mathieu. This guy will make things happen because some teams will throw away from Peterson just to test Bucannon’s coverage skills as a strong safety.

Arizona Cardinals 2014 Day 2 Picks

Team	Round	Overall Pick	Player	Position	College
	Round 2	52nd Overall Pick	Troy Niklas	TE
	Round 3	84th Overall Pick	Kareem Martin	3-4 LE
	Round 3	91st Overall Pick	John Brown	WR

Arizona Cardinals Day 2 Draft Grade: (B+) Troy Niklas found a home in Arizona. He will have outstanding team chemistry with Larry Fitzgerald and former Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd. The Cardinals’ will call two tight end sets with Rob Housler and Troy Niklas.

Kareem Martin was supposed to be a 3-4 right outside linebacker. capable of thriving in Arizona as a pass-rusher because North Carolina developed guys like Robert Quinn and Quinton Coples. Martin flashed similar potential at times when Coples was double teamed. However, Martin will not play 3-4 outside linbacker, instead he will be a 3-4 left end backing up Calias Campbell. Arizona brought veteran Frostee Rucker in to back up Darnell Docket. The Cardinals’ are placing a huge emphasis when it comes to finding depth on the defensive line. The Cardinals’ even decided to take a flyer on Alameda Ta’amu as a backup to Dan Williams.

John Brown has made exceptional progress in Cardinals’ rookie minicamps. He may end up winning the slot receiver job over Ted Ginn if he keeps playing this well.

Arizona Cardinals Day 3 Draft Grade: (B+) Logan Thomas has all the physical tools you look for in a starter. Cannon arm, durability, size at 6-foot-5 and 240-pounds. My issue with him is there is no fundamentals to his game. On most teams he is a backup at best. Bruce Arians developed Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck. Arians is capable of grooming Thomas into a starting quarterback down-the-line if Thomas puts the work in. If Carson Palmer wins games, and the Cardinals’ are patient with Thomas, this could be the steal of the draft. Right now Thomas is a third-stringer behind backup Drew Stanton. Surpassing Stanton on the depth chart is a must, if Thomas wants to be considered the quarterback of the future.

Ed Stinson will make a nice depth player behind Darnell Dockett and Calias Campbell. Right now he is a third string player in jeopardy of getting cut. Walt Powell can motivate and challenge John Brown to be the best small school receiver on Arizona’s depth chart. Solid draft overall by Arizona.