Cardinals' 2022 Rookie Class Ranks Among Worst in NFL

The Arizona Cardinals didn't receive much from their rookie class in 2022. Their spot in NFL.com's rookie class rankings reflects that.

The Arizona Cardinals weren't able to squeeze much out of their 2022 draft class.

With no first-round pick thanks to the Marquise Brown trade, tight end Trey McBride was the team's first selection and was widely viewed as a luxury pick thanks to other glaring needs. 

Two edge rushers in Myjai Sanders and Cam Thomas followed in the third round before an assortment of other names (Keaontay Ingram, Lecitus Smith, Christian Matthew, Jesse Luketa and Marquis Hayes) rounded out the draft class. 

It wasn't a class that paid immediate dividends, though there is some hope players such as McBride, Sanders/Thomas, Smith and Matthew can become more significant contributors one day. 

After one season, NFL.com says Arizona's 2022 draft class was among some of the worst in the league, placing 29th out of 32 classes.

Cardinals' 2022 Rookie Class Ranks Among Worst in NFL

Eric Edholm offered his analysis: "The trade for wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown left the Cardinals without a first-round pick and put a true lid on what this rookie class could accomplish, especially when their top selection (Trey McBride) was something of a luxury pick. He was barely targeted the first 10 games of the season (four targets) but finished strong as a chain-moving receiver with Zach Ertz out injured. McBride might not have immense upside, but he can be a solid contributor," said Edholm.

"Third-round defenders Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders each had three sacks in limited chances. Both saw increased playing time down the stretch, but there's a reasonable question of how high their respective ceilings are. Together, they make decent platoon potential, but the Cardinals are starving for pass-rush help with J.J. Watt retiring. One or both of these edge rushers must step up their game.

"The only other major rookie contributors were Lecitus Smith and Christian Matthew. Smith stepped in full time in Weeks 9 through 11 with middling results. He isn't guaranteed a starting role in 2023. Matthew earned most of his snaps early on special teams, but was given an extended look in December as an outside corner, showing enough promise to earn another shot."

The Cardinals finished above the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. 

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