Arizona Cardinals (mostly) shine with selections

2017 NFL draft grades are in and they are quite friendly to the Arizona Cardinals overall.

Most (but not all) speak positively of the Cardinals’ selections, with one national writer going so far as to call the team’s class “a really good draft.”

Check out what writers are saying about the Arizona Cardinals’ 2017 NFL draft class:

MORE DRAFT GRADES: What writer’s are saying about Cardinals’ first pick

CBS Sports: Cardinals earn an A (only 5 teams earned that grade)

Pete Prisco writes: “They landed a future star in first-round pick Haason Reddick. He will add speed and versatility to their defense. I love second-round pick Budda Baker, the safety from Washington. He will help offset the loss of Tony Jefferson. Third-round pick Chad Williams, a receiver from Grambling, could be a steal where he was drafted, adding much-needed speed, and I love fourth-round pick Dorian Johnson. It was a really good draft.”

SI.com: Cardinals get an A-

Chris Burke writes: “This was a very on-brand draft for the Cardinals, who have made a habit of developing versatile defenders. Add to the list first-round LB Haason Reddick (No. 13 pick) and S Budda Baker (No. 36), both of whom can be utilized in myriad ways on a defense that already features Deone Bucannon and Tyrann Mathieu. Seventh-rounder Rudy Ford (No. 208) is a speed DB/special-teams guy that Arizona traded up for, too. Speaking of speed, that’s what RB T.J. Logan (No. 179) brings behind David Johnson. The picks of G Dorian Johnson (No. 115) and OT Will Holden (No. 157) add depth up front. The curious selection is of WR Chad Williams (No. 98). He can develop into a playmaker, but this was early.”

MORE: Cardinals’ first-round NFL draft picks since 2000

SB Nation: Cardinals receive a B

Dan Kadar writes: “In the first round, there was a run on quarterbacks, and even though the Cardinals need one, they stood at No. 13 and took linebacker Haason Reddick. He’s yet another movable part for a defense that has positional ambiguity. They then ignored the quarterback in the second round, trading up for safety Budda Baker. He’s a good Tony Jefferson replacement. The Cardinals gave up a fair amount to get Baker but recouped the picks later by trading back in the third round. There they took Grambling State wide receiver Chad Williams. He was a surprise pick going ahead of receivers like Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson of Michigan. The other pick they got in the third round trade turned into guard Dorian Johnson. He’s one of the more pro-ready players in the draft and could push for playing time as a rookie. Fifth-round pick Will Holden adds nice depth on the offensive line.”

Doug Farrar writes; “The Cardinals didn’t get their quarterback of the future in this draft—they might have found Patrick Mahomes appealing if he was there at 13—but they did get two first-day starters in Reddick and Baker, two players who will thrive in a defense that doesn’t tie guys to specific positions. It’s a great marriage of talent and scheme. Johnson has the potential to start on the right side over time, and Holden could be a good guard convert. Logan is a smaller, quicker back who can help in the return game, and Ford is a thumper safety who could see the field in a rotation.”

MORE: Ranking the biggest NFL draft busts of all time

Nate Davis writes: “First-round LB Haason Reddick and second-round DB Budda Baker offer valuable talent and flexibility to a defense that lost five starters this offseason. Fourth-round G Dorian Johnson might not need long to play his way into the lineup. Perhaps some concern that the Cards didn’t find a quarterback to start grooming behind 37-year-old Carson Palmer, but GM Steve Keim also didn’t have to mortgage future assets like the Bears, Chiefs and Texans did.”

Evan Silva writes: “After getting leapfrogged for this year’s top quarterback prospects ahead of the 13th pick, the Cardinals settled for versatile EDGE/ILB Reddick, then surprisingly traded up for similarly versatile Baker, whose game mimics Tyrann Mathieu as a playmaking slot corner-safety. Moving up nine spots for Baker cost Arizona the Nos. 119 and 197 picks, in addition to a 2018 fourth-rounder. While I like Baker as a player, I did not think he was worth that price. Williams was not invited to the Combine, but his athleticism and production profiles suggest he’s an intriguing sleeper. I still thought he was a reach in the third round, although GM Steve Keim has a strong track record nailing prospects from smaller schools. Johnson was widely regarded as a top-three guard prospect in this draft, yet fell due to a liver condition. Holden is a short-armed tackle with swingman potential. Logan and Ford are special teamers. Ultimately, this was a meat-and-potatoes draft with minimal flash. Reddick and Baker are the only likely year-one contributors, even if neither is a safe bet to start.”

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals NFL draft history – QBs | WRs | RBs | DBs | LBs

Mark Mske writes: “The defense gets better with the additions of LB Haason Reddick in the opening round and S Budda Baker in the second round. Baker played for a ridiculously talented secondary in college at Washington and now becomes part of what should be a very good defensive backfield in Arizona. Fourth-round guard Dorian Johnson could help. It’s a bit surprising that the Cardinals did not opt for a QB at any point, with the end of Carson Palmer’s career not yet at hand but certainly in sight.”

NFL.com: Cardinals get a B+

Chad Reuter writes: “Haason Reddick is a very good linebacker and gives the Cardinals an infusion of youth at a position where they needed it. With the top receivers off the board, the Cardinals chose the best player available. Reddick can also be an effective pass rusher from outside or on inside blitzes. Budda Baker is an excellent football player who can cover and tackle, but they gave up three picks to land him. That lowers the grade a little, but putting him with Tyrann Mathieu is going to be a lot of fun to watch. Grambling receiver Chad Williams might have been a top-50 pick if he played at a major college, so it might be a bit of a gamble, but it’s one worth taking. I believe fourth-round selection Dorian Johnson will be a long-time starter at guard, but there is a bit of risk given his health situation. They got good value on Day 3, but not selecting a quarterback is a bit perplexing — hopefully they’ll find a developmental prospect as a free agent.”

NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where Cardinals stand after free agency

Vinnie Iyer writes: “GM Steve Keim didn’t panic or throw off his draft plan to force a potential future franchise QB, scoring two exceptionally versatile playmakers in Reddick and Baker to boost the defensive front seven. Johnson and Holden are good line values, and Logan will serve nicely as the new change-of-pace speed back. The no QB along with no CB creates the slide to just above average.”

FOX Sports: Cardinals earn a B-

Dieter Kurtenbach writes: “The Haason Reddick pick is solid, but a bit head scratching — did the Cardinals really need a linebacker? The Cardinals traded up to get Corey Baker — that made sense, and I like the Dorian Johnson (OG, 4th round) and Will Holden (OG, 5th round) picks, but that can’t make up for the ridiculous selection of the talented but incredibly raw Chad Williams in the third round.”

BICKLEY: On paper, Arizona Cardinals ace wacky NFL draft

MORE: Are Cardinals rookies ready to contribute right away?

What’s your grade for the Cardinals’ 2017 NFL draft class? Let us know in the comments.

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