2014 NFL Draft Grades: Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have a chance to be a breakout team in 2014. In many ways they already were in 2013 when they won 10 games. If not for a crowded NFC the Cardinals would have likely been a playoff team.

They will continue to have their work cut out for them in a challenging division with the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. With a great defense already in place and an offense that started to click under head coach Bruce Arians, how did the Cardinals do in the 2014 NFL Draft to improve their chances in 2014 and beyond?

Best pick: Deone Bucannon, S

Given the nature of opposing offenses in today’s NFL, I love to see the Cardinals continuing their commitment to a loaded and deep secondary. In a unit with some ball hawks, Bucannon should fit in nicely with his ability to thump opponents. The Arizona defense should be fun to watch, especially on the back end.

Worst pick: Logan Thomas, QB

I say this reluctantly. Thomas might end up clicking and working out great, and I do like him as a prospect. I just had wanted to see the Cardinals a little more aggressive in their pursuit of an eventual or immediate replacement for the underwhelming Carson Palmer.

The rap on Thomas is his lack of accuracy, not unlike the incumbent. And so I ask you: for how much longer will we have to watch footballs sailing over the head or landing at the feet of the more than capable Larry Fitzgerald?

Other notable picks: Troy Niklas, TE, Kareem Martin, DE, and John Brown, WR.

Grade: B+