How did Rams rival do in the 2022 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals?

We know how the LA Rams fared in the 2022 NFL Draft, but what about their rivals? Here is a look at what you need to know from the Arizona Cardinals draft class.
We’ve covered the LA Rams NFL Draft results extensively on the Ramblin’ Fan and you should be fully aware of what the draft has resulted in for the Rams. However, it’s always a smart idea to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. As for the Arizona Cardinals, they currently present the biggest threat to the Rams this season in the division. They are just slightly ahead of the San Francisco 49ers and gave the Rams trouble extensively last year.

The Rams will (hopefully) not face superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in at least one of the games, as he will be serving an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. We will find out when they will play their games when the league releases the season schedule on May 12th.

So how well did the Cardinals do their draft? Let’s talk about it.

Best pick: TE Trey McBride, Colorado State

Colorado State’s rough and physical tight end Trey McBride made a lot of sense in the second round. He was considered the top tight-end prospect in this draft class and offers solid blocking and a gritty play style that will garner a lot of attention. With Zach Ertz getting older and the vacancy for an effective run blocker in their position group, McBride should be used often and early in their offense in the 12 personnel sets, otherwise known as when the Cardinals put two tight ends on the field.

McBride isn’t just a run blocker. He’s a schematic mismatch that can be used out of the slot and even as an H-Back. He’s a solid receiver both underneath and over the top while still offering a lot of room to grow. While the Cardinals love to have speed, they love physicality more. Look at the players on their offense right now – Hopkins (as mentioned before), running back James Conner, that rough offensive line? McBride fits right in.

He’s the rookie who will be used the most in his first year, and he should be an impact player quickly.

The head-scratcher: CB Christian Matthew, Valdosta State

Valdosta State cornerback Christian Matthew didn’t make a lot of sense, even in the seventh round. Matthew was a small-school prospect that even I wasn’t tracking who tested decently well at the Mercer pro day back in March. He switched from wide receiver to cornerback upon arriving at college. Matthew, who is 6-foot-2 and 190-pounds, ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and showed a lot of explosive ability through drills. Still, he was widely projected as a tryout player who might have to move to safety.

Dane Brugler, the Athletic’s star NFL Draft scout, had Matthew listed as his 63rd overall cornerback prospect in this class, mostly because he tested well. With the guys who were still on the draft board at that point, Russ Yeast, Elijah Hicks, Josh Jobe, Dallas Flowers, Josh Thompson, Mario Goodrich, and Mykael Wright, just to name a few guys, why did the Cardinals pick this guy?

I get it, the third round is a flier round and if you like a guy who might not make the team, you take him there. I think that this class still had guys who were much better left on the board, and they took a flier here. It didn’t make a lot of sense.

The Arizona Cardinals 2022 NFL Draft Class

• TE Trey McBride, Colorado State
• DE Cameron Thomas, San Diego State
• OLB Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
• RB Keaontay Ingram, USC
• G Lecitus Smith, Virginia Tech
• CB Christian Matthew, Valdosta State
• LB Jesse Luketa, Penn State
• G Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma

It’s pretty clear that the Arizona Cardinals were targeting depth with their picks, outside of Trey McBride, for reasons stated above. Don’t forget that the Cardinals, also, traded their first-round pick for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, presumably to replace DeAndre Hopkins through the first eight games of the 2022 season.

None of these players outside of McBride should see the field very often early in their careers. But – there is valuable depth in Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, who could both become starters if they continue to develop. Thomas has some issues that he needs to resolve with his mechanics, and Sanders needs to put on some weight.

Still, not too much to worry about, at least this year, with the Cardinals’ new class of rookies.