The NFL draft is an annual event where the 32 teams of the National Football League select new players from a pool of eligible college football players. The draft order is determined by the previous season’s standings, with the worst team picking first and the Super Bowl champion picking last. The draft consists of seven rounds, with each team having one pick per round, unless they trade their picks with other teams. The 2023 NFL draft will be held from April 27 to April 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Arizona Cardinals are one of the teams that will participate in the draft, and they have eight picks in total, including the third overall pick in the first round.
History: The NFL draft was founded in 1936 as a way to distribute new players among the teams and prevent bidding wars for the most talented players. The first draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it featured nine rounds and 81 picks. The first player ever drafted was Jay Berwanger, a halfback from the University of Chicago, who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he never played in the NFL, as he opted for a career in journalism instead. Since then, the NFL draft has evolved over the years, expanding to more rounds and picks, changing venues and formats, and incorporating new technologies and media coverage. Some of the most notable changes include:
- The introduction of the AFL draft in 1960, which created a rival league for the NFL and increased competition for players. The two leagues merged in 1970 and agreed to hold a common draft.
- The implementation of the draft lottery in 1970, which randomly assigned the first pick among the teams with the worst records. This was done to discourage teams from losing on purpose to secure a higher pick. The lottery was abolished in 1978.
- The adoption of the supplemental draft in 1977, which allowed teams to select players who had become eligible after the regular draft or had not been drafted for various reasons. The teams that used this option had to forfeit a corresponding pick in the next regular draft.
- The reduction of the number of rounds from 12 to seven in 1994, which was intended to create more parity among the teams and give more opportunities to undrafted players.
- The relocation of the draft from New York City, where it had been held since 1965, to various cities across the country starting in 2015. This was done to increase fan engagement and showcase different markets.
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Players Here is a 2023 NFL draft pick-by-pick breakdown for the Arizona Cardinals draft picks:
Round 1: No. 6 (from LAR through DET) – Paris Johnson Jr., DT, Ohio State
The Cardinals traded down from their original third pick and acquired this pick from the Lions, who got it from the Rams in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford. With this pick, the Cardinals selected Paris Johnson Jr., a defensive tackle from Ohio State. Johnson is a versatile and disruptive interior lineman who can play both nose tackle and three-technique. He has excellent size (6’4″, 315 lbs), strength, quickness, and motor. He can collapse the pocket, stop the run, and chase down ball-carriers. He had a productive college career, recording 101 tackles (24 for loss), 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions in three seasons with the Buckeyes.
Round 2: No. 41 (from TEN) – B.J. Ojulari, LB, LSU
The Cardinals acquired this pick from the Titans as part of a trade that sent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Tennessee. With this pick, the Cardinals selected B.J. Ojulari, an outside linebacker from LSU. Ojulari is a speedy and explosive edge rusher who can bend around blockers and get to the quarterback. He has good size (6’3″, 240 lbs), athleticism, agility, and burst. He can also drop into coverage and play in space. He had a breakout season in 2022, leading the SEC with 15 sacks and earning first-team All-SEC honors.
Round 3: No. 94 (from PHI) – Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
The Cardinals acquired this pick from the Eagles as part of a trade that sent cornerback Patrick Peterson to Philadelphia. With this pick, the Cardinals selected Michael Wilson, a wide receiver from Stanford. Wilson is a reliable and productive target who can play both outside and slot receiver positions. He has good size (6’2″, 205 lbs), hands, route-running skills, and body control. He can make contested catches, run after the catch, and block downfield. He had a stellar college career, catching 202 passes for 2,764 yards and 19 touchdowns in four seasons with the Cardinal.
Round 4: No. 122 (from MIA through KC via DET) – Jon Gaines II, G, UCLA
The Cardinals acquired this pick from the Chiefs as part of a trade that sent linebacker Jordan Hicks to Kansas City. The Chiefs got this pick from the Dolphins, who got it from the Lions in exchange for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. With this pick, the Cardinals selected Jon Gaines II, a guard from UCLA. Gaines is a powerful and physical interior lineman who can open holes in the running game and protect the passer. He has good size (6’4″, 325 lbs), strength, footwork, and awareness. He can play both left and right guard positions and has experience at center as well. He started 36 games in three seasons with the Bruins.
Round 5: No. 139 (from DEN through DET) – Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
The Cardinals acquired this pick from the Lions as part of a trade that sent running back Chase Edmonds to Detroit. The Lions got this pick from the Broncos in exchange for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. With this pick, the Cardinals selected Clayton Tune, a quarterback from Houston. Tune is a developmental prospect who has the physical tools and potential to become a starter in the NFL. He has good size (6’3″, 215 lbs), arm strength, mobility, and accuracy. He can make all the throws, extend plays with his legs, and run when needed. He had a solid college career, passing for 7,020 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions in four seasons with the Cougars.
Round 5: No. 168 – Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
With this pick, the Cardinals selected Owen Pappoe, an inside linebacker from Auburn. Pappoe is a fast and athletic linebacker who can cover a lot of ground and make plays all over the field. He has good size (6’1″, 230 lbs), speed, instincts, and tackling skills. He can play both middle and weakside linebacker positions and excel in coverage and blitzing. He had a productive college career, recording 241 tackles (18 for loss), six sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles in three seasons with the Tigers.
Round 6: No. 180 – Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
With this pick, the Cardinals selected Kei’Trel Clark, a cornerback from Louisville. Clark is a feisty and competitive corner who can play both man and zone coverage schemes. He has good size (5’10″, 190 lbs), speed, agility, and ball skills. He can stick with receivers, break up passes, and create turnovers. He had an impressive college career, transferring from Liberty to Louisville after his freshman year and earning first-team All-ACC honors in both seasons with the Cardinals. He had 83 tackles (four for loss), six interceptions, and 23 pass breakups in three seasons.
Round 6: No. 213 – Dante Stills, DT, West Virginia
With this pick, the Cardinals selected Dante Stills, a defensive tackle from West Virginia. Stills is a strong and stout interior lineman who can clog up the middle and disrupt the run game. He has good size (6’3″, 285 lbs), power, leverage, and hand usage. He can shed blockers, penetrate gaps, and make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He had a consistent college career, recording 85 tackles (28 for loss), 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception in four seasons with the Mountaineers.
Arizona Cardinals Last Five Top Draft Picks
2023: Paris Johnson Jr., DT, Ohio State
The Cardinals traded down from their original third pick and acquired the sixth overall pick from the Lions, who got it from the Rams in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford. With this pick, the Cardinals selected Paris Johnson Jr., a defensive tackle from Ohio State. Johnson is a versatile and disruptive interior lineman who can play both nose tackle and three-technique. He has excellent size (6’4″, 315 lbs), strength, quickness, and motor. He can collapse the pocket, stop the run, and chase down ball-carriers. He had a productive college career, recording 101 tackles (24 for loss), 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions in three seasons with the Buckeyes1.
2022: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The Cardinals selected Trey McBride with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. McBride is a reliable and productive target who can play both inline and flex tight end positions. He has good size (6’4″, 240 lbs), hands, route-running skills, and blocking ability. He can make contested catches, run after the catch, and contribute in the running game. He had a stellar college career, catching 117 passes for 1,670 yards and 14 touchdowns in four seasons with the Rams2.
2021: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
The Cardinals selected Zaven Collins with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Collins is a fast and athletic linebacker who can play both inside and outside linebacker positions. He has good size (6’4″, 238 lbs), speed, instincts, and coverage skills. He can play all three downs, cover tight ends and running backs, and blitz the quarterback. He had a dominant college career, recording 236 tackles (25 for loss), 7.5 sacks, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and three forced fumbles in three seasons with the Golden Hurricane3.
2020: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
The Cardinals selected Isaiah Simmons with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Simmons is a versatile and dynamic defender who can play multiple positions on defense. He has rare size (6’4″, 238 lbs), speed (4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash), agility, and range. He can line up as a linebacker, safety, slot corner, or edge rusher and excel in any role. He had an outstanding college career, recording 238 tackles (28 for loss), 11 sacks, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), six pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in three seasons with the Tigers.
2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
The Cardinals selected Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Murray is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat defenses with his arm and legs. He has elite speed (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash), quickness, accuracy, and playmaking ability. He can make all the throws, extend plays with his mobility, and run for big gains when needed. He had a phenomenal college career, passing for 5,406 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions and rushing for 1,478 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons with the Sooners.
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FAQs
Q: What is the NFL draft and how does it work?
A: The NFL draft is an annual event where the 32 teams of the National Football League select new players from a pool of eligible college football players. The draft order is determined by the previous season’s standings, with the worst team picking first and the Super Bowl champion picking last. The draft consists of seven rounds, with each team having one pick per round, unless they trade their picks with other teams. The 2023 NFL draft will be held from April 27 to April 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Q: Who are the Arizona Cardinals and what are their draft needs?
A: The Arizona Cardinals are one of the teams that play in the National Football League. They are based in Glendale, Arizona, and they compete in the NFC West division. They have won two NFL championships (1925 and 1947) and one NFC championship (2008), but they have never won a Super Bowl. Their current head coach is Kliff Kingsbury and their current starting quarterback is Kyler Murray. Their draft needs include defensive tackle, edge rusher, wide receiver, tight end, and quarterback.
Q: Who did the Arizona Cardinals select in the 2023 NFL draft and how will they fit on the team?
A: The Arizona Cardinals traded down from their original third pick and acquired the sixth overall pick from the Lions, who got it from the Rams in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford. With this pick, the Cardinals selected Paris Johnson Jr., a defensive tackle from Ohio State. Johnson is a versatile and disruptive interior lineman who can play both nose tackle and three-technique. He has excellent size (6’4″, 315 lbs), strength, quickness, and motor. He can collapse the pocket, stop the run, and chase down ball-carriers. He had a productive college career, recording 101 tackles (24 for loss), 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions in three seasons with the Buckeyes. Johnson will likely start as a rookie and form a formidable duo with J.J. Watt on the defensive line. The Cardinals also acquired eight more picks from various trades and selected players such as B.J. Ojulari, an edge rusher from LSU, Michael Wilson, a wide receiver from Stanford, and Clayton Tune, a quarterback from Houston. These players will add depth and competition to their respective positions and contribute on special teams.
