Solid Starter
Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State – Round 3 
The Cardinals were in need of edge rush help after losing Chandler Jones in free agency. J.J. Watt was playing well before missing a lot of the 2021 season with an injury, but Arizona needed more pass-rush talent alongside Watt. Thomas might need some adjustment time to the NFL, but he flashed NFL ability as a senior. In 2021, Thomas put together his best season, recording 71 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
In the pass rush, Thomas (6-4, 264) can get after the quarterback. He has the upper body strength to fight through blockers and some quickness around the corner. Thomas possesses active hands and uses them at the same time as his feet. Thomas is capable of beating tackles with speed or strength. He is a sturdy end, but he is not super explosive or a blinding speed rusher off the edge.
Thomas is generally reliable at holding his gap against the run. He fights off blocks and gets in on tackles. Thomas shows some recognition skills and instincts to stay home on misdirection plays. With a steady motor, Thomas works off his blocker to then flow down the line to get in on tackles outside of his gap. In the NFL, Thomas should become a solid run defender.
Outside linebacker Devon Kennard and Markus Golden are solid pros, but before long, Thomas could replace them as a starter for Arizona. While he may never be a world beater, Thomas could easily turn into a solid starter for the Cardinals.
2021: Rondale Moore, WR
2020: Josh Jones, OT
2019: Zach Allen, DE
2018: Christian Kirk, WR
2017: Budda Baker, S
2016: Evan Boehm, C
2015: Markus Golden, LB
2014: Deone Bucannon, S
2013: Kevin Minter, LB
Most Likely To Bust
Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati – Round 3 
The Cardinals doubled up on edge rushers with Sanders later in the third round after taking Thomas. Sanders flashed at times for Cincinnati, but he has some flaws as a player and never produced a big season despite playing at a lower level of competition. A big concern with Sanders translating to the NFL is size. The 230-pounder lacks the size to hold up as a run defender and could struggle to shed blocks from pro offensive tackles, who are much larger and stronger, as well as being good athletes in their own right. Sanders struggles to convert speed to power and has an inconsistent motor. In college, Sanders had a huge problem with jumping offsides consistently. That issue could draw the ire of NFL coaches and hurt his playing time as well. Of Arizona’s three picks on the second day of the 2022 NFL Draft, Sanders looks like the riskiest.
2021: Marco Wilson, CB
2020: Leki Fotu, DT
2019: Kyler Murray, QB
2018: Mason Cole, C
2017: Haason Reddick, LB
2016: Robert Nkemdiche, DL
2015: D.J. Humphries, OT
2014: Kareem Martin, DE
2013: Tyrann Mathieu, CB/S
Potential Boom Pick
Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State – Round 2 
General manager Steve Keim has a bad track record of drafting prospects who are better athletes than players, such Robert Nkemdiche, Haason Reddick, D.J. Humphries, and more, but he went away from that with McBride. In fact, one could argue McBride is not much more than an above-average athlete, but he is a better football player than athlete. McBride was a natural receiving tight end in college and could turn into a very good pro in Arizona.
For the NFL, McBride looks like a future three-down starter. He has the skill set to be a dangerous receiver down the seam and in the red zone, like he was in college. McBride shows enough quickness to get downfield, but he is not a fast tight end. He has excellent hands and is very skilled at going up high to make receptions over defensive backs. Even though McBride isn’t the biggest of tight ends, he has good body control and uses his size well to shield the ball from defenders to make receptions. With good play strength, McBride uses his power to disengage from defenders to get open after contact is initiated. McBride runs good routes, is smart about finding the soft spots in zone, and has good feel as a receiver. He should be an effective contributor in the NFL in the red zone given his receiving skill and blocking ability.
As a blocker, McBride is going to be an asset in the pros. He is a good drive blocker who should be a solid contributor to his offense’s running game at the point of attack. He also is very good in pass protection, riding defenders around the quarterback. He should be a real asset as a pass protector in the NFL. Thus, McBride isn’t limited to one part of the offense and can be out there on every down.
McBride could turn into a 10-year quality starter in the NFL, and that would make him a boom pick as a late second-round selection.
2021: Zaven Collins, LB
2020: Isaiah Simmons, LB
2019: Byron Murphy, CB
2018: Josh Rosen, QB
2017: Chad Williams, WR
2016: Brandon Williams, CB
2015: David Johnson, RB
2014: Troy Niklas, TE
2013: Jonathan Cooper, G
Future Depth Player
Keontay Ingram, RB, USC – Round 6 
With the turmoil and underachieving at USC, Ingram went under the radar and was underutilized. That was given proof at the East-West Shrine, where Ingram put together a strong week of practice. The Cardinals were an excellent landing spot for Ingram to be a solid No. 2 back. James Conner was re-signed, but he has dealt with injuries in his career, and Ingram could be a strong rotational back who can help lighten the load on Conner. Ingram also has the size and power to put on the field in short-yardage situations. While Conner is entrenched as the starter, Ingram could be a good backup running back and depth player for the Cardinals.
2021: Victor Dimukeje, DE
2020: Eno Benjamin, RB
2019: Deionte Thompson, S
2018: Chase Edmonds, RB
2017: Will Holden, OT
2016: Harlan Miller, CB
2015: Rodney Gunter, DT
2014: Ed Stinson, DE
2013: Ryan Swope, WR
Walt’s 2022 NFL Draft Grades:
55. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State – D Grade
I don’t understand this pick. The Cardinals just re-signed Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams. Tight end was not a need at all, so why are the Cardinals using a premium pick on a tight end. Plus, it’s not like Trey McBride provides great value, or anything. This is probably his natural range. Offensive line and edge-rushing help would’ve been better.
87. Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State – B+ Grade
Cameron Thomas was a love/hate prospect, or maybe a kinda like/hate prospect because some teams didn’t think he was twitchy enough. However, he’s a solid value pick in this range, and he’ll potentially fill a big need with Chandler Jones gone.
100. Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati – B+ Grade
Myjai Sanders makes sense in this range as a late third-round pick. He also can help fill a need along with Cameron Thomas on the edge in the wake of Chandler Jones’ departure. Sanders was better than his numbers indicated at Cincinnati.
201. Keontay Ingram, RB, USC – A- Grade
I had Keontay Ingram a round earlier than this, so I like the value. Ingram is a nice receiving back, which is crucial because Arizona lost Chase Edmonds this offseason.
215. Lecitus Smith, G, Virginia Tech – B+ Grade
I mocked Lecitus Smith to the Cardinals at No. 201, so I like the fit. It’s a nice touch of value, and this pick potentially fills a need. Arizona needed as many blockers as possible to make sure Kyler Murray lasts a full season for once.
244. Christian Matthew, CB, Valdosta State – B- Grade
Christian Matthew was a productive player at Valdosta State, but I didn’t think he would be drafted. It’s never a bad idea to add a cornerback when needing to battle the Rams twice per year though.
256. Jesse Luketa, DE/OLB, Penn State – A Grade
This is another great value pick in the seventh round. I had Jesse Luketa pegged in the fifth frame. He potentially fills a need as well, given that Chandler Jones departed this offseason.
257. Marquis Hayes, G, Oklaoma – A Grade
The Cardinals are dominating the compensatory portion of the seventh round! Marquis Hayes, like Jesse Luketa, is someone I had in the fourth round, so I’m loving the value. Like Luketa, he fills a need as a blocker for Kyler Murray.
2022 NFL Draft Team Grade: C+. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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