2023 Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft Recap: List of Cardinals Draft Picks and Post-Draft Analysis

There’s arguably no team in the NFL that won the draft more than the Arizona Cardinals. They got some very good talent in the NFL draft, but they also made some great moves for the future with draft picks for next year. The crown jewel was that the Cardinals traded with the Houston Texans for this year’s third overall pick and then received next year’s first round pick from Houston.

Arizona drafted nine players in this year’s draft, with four players being on offense and five players being on defense. The Cardinals aced this draft, especially for a team that is going to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season.

Round 1, Pick 6: Paris Johnson Jr.

The Cardinals traded back with Houston and then back up to 6th to get their left tackle of the future and help fortify an offensive line that was ranked among the worst in the NFL this past year. He’s a physical beast who stands at 6-foot-6, and weighs 310 pounds. He also allowed 14 total pressures on 449 pass-blocking snaps, which was the best of his college career up to this point. He’s a massive get to try and help keep Kyler Murray upright when he gets back healthy.

Round 2, Pick 41: BJ Ojulari

BJ Ojulari was a great pickup for the Cardinals, who needed help in the pass-rush department. Ojulari doesn’t stand out a lot physically, but his skillset off the edge makes him hard to defend for anyone. He played in 11 games last year, and had nine sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 26 quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble. He stands at 6-foot-3, 250-pounds, and has shown he can beat anyone off the edge with his skills and quickness.

Round 3, Pick 71: Garrett Williams

Williams got injured last year and it kept him out the rest of the season. But, if he doesn’t get injured, he would’ve gone much earlier. He still had 35 total tackles, 26 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions before he got injured that kept him out the rest of the season. Williams is 6-foot, and weighs 189-pounds. He excels in off-zone coverage and has quick feet to match his coverage skills. He’s very similar to Devon Witherspoon, but just needs to play more aggressive like Witherspoon is known for.

BREAKING: #Cardinals are drafting CB Garrett Williams at pick 72 pic.twitter.com/D396F73zjs

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) April 29, 2023

Round 3, Pick 94: Michael Wilson

Wilson is one of the most underrated receivers in this draft class. He has great size and a good frame to be an NFL wide receiver. He’s 6-foot-2, 209-pounds. The issue is that he’s only played in 14 games across the last three seasons for Stanford. Last season, he had 26 receptions, 418 receiving yards, and four touchdowns before he got injured halfway through the season, where he only played six games.

Round 4, Pick 122: Jon Gaines II

Gaines might be the most versatile offensive lineman in this draft class. He can run and pass block very well, grading out at 76.7 and 77.4 in each one for Pro Football Focus. The best thing Gaines brings is his versatility and consistency, which is something that is desperately needed in Arizona on the offensive line. Look for the Cardinals to potentially test Gaines out at center in the NFL too because he’s started two games at center, one at right tackle, and then nine at right guard two years ago.

Round 5, Pick 139: Clayton Tune

Clayton Tune was a great late-round pick-up for the Cardinals to get, especially with Kyler Murray sidelined to start the year for however many games. He’s 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, so size is not an issue at all. Pro Football Focus graded him at a 90 this past season. He also had 4,074 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and he was seventh in the country in completion percentage at 67.3%. He’s a great insurance policy to have before the season to see where Kyler Murray’s at with his injury.

Arizona #Cardinals 5th round pick quarterback Clayton Tune:

“I think I’m the best quarterback in this class”

🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/z25B2AOIqq

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 8, 2023

Round 5, Pick 168: Owen Pappoe

Pappoe burst onto the NFL draft scene at the combine where he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash time. Pro Football Focus graded him at 59.5 against the run which is a weakness, but he was good in coverage with a 77.2 grade and he also missed a tackle on just 6.9% of the times he attempted a tackle. He had 92 total tackles, 51 solos, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception last year.

Round 6, Pick 180: Kei’Trel Clark

Clark projects as a slot cornerback in the NFL mainly due to his size. He’s 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. He should be a good corner Jonathan Gannon utilizes in blitzes too. He had 51 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception last season too for Louisville.

Round 6, Pick 213: Dante Sills

Sills was a good pickup for where he was. He’s a good athlete and stood at 6-foot-4, weighs 285-pounds. He also had 26 tackles, 13 tackles, and 4.5 sacks. He had 2 forced fumbles too last season. For where he was drafted, this was a good pickup.