Analysis
4/30/23
4 min read
Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft Grades 2023: Ojulari, Williams Picks Earn Back-to-Back 'A' Grades
The Arizona Cardinals moved down to the No. 6 spot and found a bookend tackle to protect franchise quarterback Kyler Murray. They subsequently added two exceptionally talented defensive players, earning back-to-back "A" grades.
The 33rd Team Scouting Dept. graded every pick in this year’s draft, here’s how the Cardinals fared:
Cardinals 2023 Draft Grades
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6. Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
New Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort is being aggressive in his first draft. Arizona secured a 2024 first-round pick with their first trade out of No. 3 and get the player it had been targeting for the past week. Paris Johnson (scouting report) is a good athlete with rare length for an offensive tackle. It will be interesting to see where they line him up with incumbent left tackle D.J. Humphries as the lone entrenched player in their starting five. Johnson does have experience playing guard, where he lined up at Ohio State in 2021.
Grade: B
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41. BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU
BJ Ojulari (scouting report) is a polished rusher, who can use his hands and always seems to have a rush plan. Ojulari is an explosive athlete who fits what the Cardinals need on defense and should be a contributor from Day 1 in the desert. He is athletic enough to drop in coverage and cover a tight end.
Grade: A
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72. Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
Garrett Williams (scouting report) was one of our favorite players on tape this season. If not for his October injury, he may have been a first-round player. He is one of the most physical and sure tacklers in this secondary class. He is instinctive and aggressive. He has just average size and lacks top-tier recovery speed.
Grade: A
94. Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Michael Wilson (scouting report) is a good-sized receiver with a solid build. He is more of a smooth, fluid athlete rather than a quick-twitch one. He has reliable hands and shows good toughness. Injuries have been a concern, as he has not played a full season since 2019. Wilson has just an average ability to separate down the field.
Grade: C
122. Jon Gaines II, G, UCLA
Jon Gaines II (scouting report) possesses a good combination of size and athleticism for a guard. He is more of an athletic, technician type of player than a guy who is going to maul in the run game. He will have a chance to compete for a starting spot for the Cardinals' offensive line, that does not have an entrenched starter at guard.
Grade: B+
139. Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
Clayton Tune (scouting report) has some athletic ability and good overall accuracy, but his arm strength is just average. He is a smart player who has awareness and understands coverages.
Grade: C-
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168. Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
Owen Pappoe (scouting report) was ranked higher than this on our board, but this is not a big position of need for the Cardinals. He is a fast-flowing linebacker with speed and athleticism for the position. He lacks some strength and wants to slip and slink around blocks to get to the football.
Grade: B-
180. Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
Kei'Trel Clark is an instinctive, size-deficient corner. He’s got a good feel for routes and closes quickly with solid short-area quickness and long speed. He likes to cut off receivers' routes and get into their bodies, which shows with the 14 penalties he committed the past two seasons.
Grade: C
213. Dante Stills, DL, West Virginia
Dante Stills (scouting report) uses his hands well in terms of power and technique and has a good feel and sense of timing running stunts. He doesn’t have starter upside, but he could find a role as a backup interior player who can play the run and pass effectively.
Grade: B-
