With the NFL Draft complete, it is time for fans and experts to begin blindly grading how teams did with their selections. Although completely premature, everyone wants to put a letter grade on each team's draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper does this every year and has already released his draft grades (must have Insider access to read whole article).
The Arizona Cardinals got a pretty good grade overall. In addressing needs (according to him it was offensive line, receiver, linebacker, defensive end and safety), Kiper gave them a C+. For value, a B+. Overall? A B-.
Here's why:
Having Michael Floyd in this lineup will help Larry Fitzgerald and Kevin Kolb. If they can find a way to pass block, Floyd's presence should tell the Cardinals if they have their QB of the future, or whether they need to go back to the drawing board. But I'm not sure they can protect. Bobby Massie is one of the better values of the draft at No. 112 overall, and could provide an upgrade. Justin Bethel is an interesting developmental pick out of tiny Presbyterian. He has elite speed. The Cardinals took three tackles, so it's clear they're hoping they strike gold once or twice. If they did, they got their top two needs. After that, it's just OK. No help in the pass rush, or at outside linebacker. I also thought they could use a safety. If Floyd plays the way he did in 2011, and keeps focused, he should be a pretty good one.
While true that the Cardinals did not address the pass rush, it is clear that they are pretty comfortable with who they have already.
And Kiper is slightly misinformed at the pick of Bethel and the safety position. While Bethel was a cornerback in college, the team already lists him at safety.
Naturally, these grades are only a guess. We will need three years to really get an idea at how good a draft this was.