The Arizona Cardinals selected eight players in the 2022 NFL draft last week. Draft grades have varied, but the team believes it got great value.
Using consensus rankings compiled by The Athletic, formulated by the big boards of 82 draft analysts, we can see that six of the Cardinals’ draft picks were selected below their big board ranking.
Two of their Day 3 picks are massive steals, based on the rankings, while two were massive reaches. One of their players did not even make the consensus top 300.
Below is a list of each player the Cardinals drafted and the quantitative value of their selection. A positive number means they were drafted after their consensus ranking, while a negative one suggests the team selected him too early.
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Round 2: TE Trey McBride
Pick value: +3
McBride was the No. 52 prospect on the consensus list and drafted 55th overall by the Cardinals.
Round 3: EDGE Cameron Thomas
Pick value: +21
Thomas was ranked 65th on the consensus list. The Cardinals selected him No. 87 overall.
Round 3: EDGE Myjai Sanders
Pick value: +8
Sanders was ranked 92nd on the consensus list. He was selected by the Cardinals with the 100th overall pick.
Round 6: RB Keaontay Ingram
Pick value: -58
The Cardinals drafted him with the 201st pick. He was ranked No. 259. He was a massive reach, based on the consensus rankings.
Round 6: OL Lecitus Smith
Pick value: +58
Smith didn’t get drafted until the…