The Arizona Cardinals have earned a reputation over the years as a team who likes to target players from small schools. General manager Steve Keim believes he can find players other teams might overlook. Some have flamed out while others have been successful in the league.
Since 2013, the Cardinals have selected 10 players from small schools.
Who are they and what did they do in the league?
OL Earl Watford, James Madison (2013)
Watford was Keim’s first small-school pick and he was decent. He wasn’t great but he was very versatile. He started games at tackle and at guard, 22 in all. He was even re-signed in 2017 after he had left as a free agent to come back and play. He played 13 games in 2018 for the Cleveland Browns and now is reunited with Bruce Arians as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
WR John Brown, Pittsburg State (2014)
Brown was an impact player his first two seasons in the league for the Cardinals. He caught 12 touchdown passes in 2014 and 2015, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards when the Cardinals went 13-3. Injuries slowed him his final two seasons in Arizona, but he regained form somewhat last year for the Baltimore Ravens and recently signed with the Buffalo Bills.
WR Walt Powell, Murray State (2014)
Powell was drafted by the Cardinals in the sixth round although he did not make the team. He was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets and played one season there, appearing in four games and handling some punt and kick return duties. He played two seasons with the Buffalo Bills and caught 14 passes in 2016.
RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa (2015)
2015 was the Cardinals’ big small-school year, selecting three players from small schools in that draft. Johnson was the first, taken in the third round. He had a great rookie season and a historic 2016 season. Injuries and a terrible offensive system have limited him the last two years but he is still considered one of the league’s best dual-threat running backs in the league.
DT Rodney Gunter, Delaware State (2015)
He was taken in the fourth round and was perhaps the big surprise of the draft, as no one really knew who he was. He played four seasons for the Cardinals and is a free agent currently. He started as a rookie at nose tackle when Corey Peters tore his Achilles and then was buried on the depth chart. However, he had a solid 2018 and hopes to land a multi-year deal with a team.
WR J.J. Nelson, UAB (2015)
Nelson was selected in the fifth round. He was known for four years for speed, big plays and drops. He made big plays and actually turned out to be much more than anyone expected him to be. He was projected to be only a return specialist but became an inconsistent contributor. Now he is a member of the Oakland Raiders.
S Marqui Christian, Midwestern State (2016)
Arizona selected Christian in the fourth round and the team was very high on him. However, he was claimed off waivers when they cut him, hoping he would clear and end up on the practice squad, to keep two punters on the roster his rookie year. He is now a member of the Los Angeles Rams, playing solid special teams and getting rotational work in the secondary on defense.
DB Harlan Miller, Southeast Louisiana (2016)
Miller was selected in the sixth round but did not make the team initially. He spent most of the year on the practice squad and was promoted late in his rookie campaign. He even started two games and had an interception. He went through the same thing in 2017, beginning on the practice squad and getting promoted. He played two games for the Washington Redskins in 2018.
WR Chad Williams, Grambling State (2017)
Williams was selected in the third round. Many hoped he would be the next John Brown in terms of impact. He has not had much of an impact yet and his spot on the roster in 2019 is uncertain. He has 20 catches through two seasons so far.
RB Chase Edmonds, Fordham (2018)
Edmonds was selected in the fourth round and the coaching staff loved him last year. The team believes he will be good. He rushed for 208 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie and caught 20 passes as David Johnson’s primary backup.
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