The Arizona Cardinals were given high grades for their draft class in 2020 by Pro Football Focus. Particularly with the selections of linebacker Isaiah Simmons with the eighth overall pick and tackle Josh Jones in the third round, PFF gave the Cardinals an A+ for their draft.
One year later in a recent regrade, the Cardinals don’t get the same marks.
Instead of an A+, the grade dropped to a B+.
This draft is still largely to be determined after Simmons failed to acclimate quickly to a completely different position and Jones couldn’t crack the starting lineup. One still has to take into account that Arizona’s second-round pick basically turned into DeAndre Hopkins in an all-time trade fleecing here, though.
While it is understandable to downgrade it some, there is no real reason to do it. Simmons didn’t play poorly. He just didn’t play much in a year where there was no offseason, no preseason and he was learning a new position full time where there was a veteran performing well in De’Vondre Campbell.
Simmons will be a fixture on the defense this coming season and Jones will be in the mix for the starting job at right guard. Even if he doesn’t play, that doesn’t make him a bad pick, considering the play of Kelvin Beachum.
The play of fourth-round selections Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence will be important this coming season. They were effective in limited work when they were healthy as rookies. One could end up being the Cardinals’ starting nose tackle.
It still could end up being an A+ draft.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
