Arizona Cardinals losing ground after draft?

Editor’s note: We’ve added more NFL power rankings at the bottom of this story.

The 2017 NFL draft is over and most national writers liked the Cardinals’ selections.

Does that mean they moved the team up in their power rankings?

The Heat Index takes a look at where Arizona is ranked in post-draft rankings of NFL teams, as well as what they are saying about the Cardinals.

The highest we found the team? No. 10.

The lowest? No. 26.

NFL DRAFT GRADES: Arizona Cardinals (mostly) shine with selections

It writes: “LB Haason Reddick and S Budda Baker help reload a defense hit by free agency defections. If QB Carson Palmer can string together a strong year at 37, this team could be dangerous.”

CBS Sports: Cardinals up two to No. 10

Pete Prisco writes: “They were top-10 in offense and defense last year, which tells you they had talent. They’ve added some nice players as well, but this will be about Carson Palmer staying on the field and playing well.”

Brad Gagnon writes: “By adding two potential big-time defenders in linebacker Haason Reddick and safety Budda Baker with their first two picks in the draft, the Cardinals at least stopped the bleeding. Just last month, they were gutted on that side of the ball in free agency, losing safeties Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger as well as key front seven cogs Calais Campbell and Kevin Minter. That was far from ideal for an aging team that appeared to regress by following up a 13-win 2015 season with a seven-win 2016 campaign. Reddick and Baker should play large roles early, and they join a defense that still has plenty of talent with Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson and Chandler Jones. If all of those guys stay healthy and excel, and if Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald (combined age of 70) can have a bounce-back year together on offense, the Cards could be pretty good. But that’s a lot of “if.”

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Cameron DaSilva writes: “Bruce Arians and the Cardinals didn’t add a cornerback with any of their early picks, which was a bit surprising and could wind up costing them down the line. They did, however, add two ball hawks in Haason Reddick and Budda Baker. They’re going to be a lot of fun to watch on defense this season with both expected to start in Week 1. They still need offensive line and cornerback help, though.”

Peter Panacy writes: “The Arizona Cardinals manage to move up a spot in our NFL power rankings thanks to an excellent draft haul. Edge rusher Haason Reddick will help an already potent Cardinals pass rush. Pairing him with defensive stud Chandler Jones should be downright scary for NFC West teams. And the addition of safety Budda Baker was a nice pickup too. He’ll alleviate the loss of veteran safety Tony Jefferson, who departed via free agency. Wide receiver Chad Williams should alleviate the void left by Michael Floyd last season, and Williams could even be good enough to take over for veteran wideout Larry Fitzgerald. Those are some big shoes to fill though. Still, the Cardinals didn’t address their quarterbacking needs. In an ideal world, quarterback Patrick Mahomes would have fallen into their laps. He didn’t, and Arizona is just one Carson Palmer injury away from disaster.”

Kenneth Arthur writes: “If Carson Palmer is healthy and on his game, the Cardinals could quickly turn it back around. Reddick and safety Budda Baker in round two were both good picks, albeit ones that may not pay off immediately.”

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

nj.com: Cardinals No. 24

Joe Giglio writes: “Count me in as a fan of what the Cardinals did (Haason Reddick, Budda Baker) in the first two rounds. If Carson Palmer can bounce back, Arizona can be very good—but that’s a big if.”

Russell S. Baxter writes: “The Cardinals should be in for a bounce back season. But we’re also saying that without a great deal of confidence.”

Cover 32: Cardinals No. 19

Bobby Burack writes: “Drafting Haason Reddick and Budda Baker are two big play-making selections to a Cardinals team that took a huge step back last season. Never count out a Bruce Arians coached team, but this window here may have closed. They still have talent on defense and running back David Johnson is one the best at the position. The Cardinals are a top 20 team, but will not be much improved.”

BICKLEY: On paper, Arizona Cardinals ace wacky NFL draft

ESPN.com: Cardinals down two to No. 18

Dan Graziano writes: “We did this a year ago. The Cardinals were No. 5, and I ranted about how crazy it was that they weren’t higher. I was … wrong. So while I like what they did on defense with their first couple of picks, prove to me that quarterback Carson Palmer has something left before I buy in again, please.”

SB Nation: Cardinals down five to No. 21

SI.com: Cardinals No. 17

Eric Single writes: “By passing on a quarterback in the draft, Arizona is betting on Carson Palmer’s ability to age gracefully, although at 37 last year he posted his lowest yards per attempt (7.1) since 2012, his final season as a Raider. Speedy linebacker Haason Reddick and hyperactive safety Budda Baker are early-round coups for Arizona’s aggressive defense.?”

MORE: Are Cardinals rookies ready to contribute right away?

NFL.com: Cardinals down one to No. 17

Elliot Harrison writes: “Difficult to surmise who the Cardinals are in May. Are they the contenders we saw two seasons ago who played their worst game in January? Or the middling bunch that couldn’t get out of its own way last year? The answer lies somewhere in between, but even after a relatively strong draft, the question is … If the Cards can’t overtake Seattle, will Arizona string enough wins together to grab a wild-card spot? The offense could’ve used a wideout, but I can’t wait to see all-heart safety Budda Baker (Round 2) team with All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu and all-hit Deone Bucannon.”

JP Finlay writes: “Arizona lost a lot on defense in free agency – Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson, D.J. Swearinger. The Cardinals brass certainly tried to find their replacements via the Draft. Haason Reddick is a crazy athlete but might need a year to adjust to the strength of NFL offensive linemen. Budda Baker should help right away. Still, an aging Carson Palmer has question marks.”

MORE: Cardinals have had success with undrafted quarterbacks

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