The Arizona Cardinals showed the latest episode of their offseason video series Cardinals Flight Plan. It focused on the NFL draft and how things went from inside the team’s draft room with Michael Bidwill, Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury.
What did we learn in the episode?
Steve Keim got advice from Browns GM John Dorsey
Before the draft began, Keim received a call from Dorsey. Apparently, Dorsey, whose Browns had the No. 1 overall pick a year ago, told Keim to “go dark” leading up to the draft. Keim asked if he “was dark enough.”
There appears to be some sort of joking offer Dorsey made.
At least 3 draft picks brought to tears
Getting drafted proved to be an emotional time. After cornerback Byron Murphy was selected in the second round and received the call from the Cardinals, he kept his emotions in check. However, after the call, he cried into a towel.
Sixth-round pick KeeSean Johnson, a receiver, broke down once he spoke with team president Michael Bidwill.
Defensive lineman Michael Dogbe, one of the Cardinals’ three seventh-round picks, also broke down.
Kliff Kingsbury pulled the trigger on the Josh Rosen
After having discussions with the Miami Dolphins earlier, Miami was on the clock and the Cardinals still had not made the decision whether or not to trade Rosen. Team president Michael Bidwill turned to Kingsbury for the final decision. He was all about drafting receiver Andy Isabella. “I love Isabella,” he said. “He makes us better right away.”
In his eyes, it was better to have a receiver who can make plays now than a backup quarterback who won’t be happy and could potentially cause a split in the locker room.
Cardinals had first-round grades on 2 defensive linemen in the 3rd round
After the Cardinals selected Isabella and were looking to the third round, they considered a pair of defensive linemen. Keim said two defensive linemen had first-round grades. They selected Zach Allen out of Boston College. Who was the other defensive lineman? It likely was Ohio State’s Dre’Mont Jones, who was selected a few picks later.
Cardinals had eye on WR Hakeem Butler long before 4th round
Cardinals brass was talking about Butler before the second round was over. They considered him for their third-round selection. They ultimately chose Allen in the third round and still landed Butler in the fourth.
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