Re-Drafting Arizona Cardinals' 2018 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals could have seen a very different fate in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Richie Bradshaw | Mar 9, 2023

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Arizona Cardinals

When looking back at the Arizona Cardinals' 2018 NFL Draft class there is only one player who comes to mind - Josh Rosen. Rosen turned out to be the biggest bust in the 2018 class as a whole and in general one of the biggest busts in Cardinals' history. That isn't the taste you want in your mouth when you think about this class.

It's unfortunate, too, because the Cardinals' 2018 class was surprisingly good. The team landed several role players who spent nearly the entirety of their rookie deals with the team. All things considered, this was a solid draft that is headlined by a massive bust.

Still, with the benefit of hindsight, I can fix this draft and show former general manager Steve Keim where he could've changed this draft class around for the best. Let's get into our re-draft and catch up on previous re-drafts if you've missed any.

One note before we start - each draft class is to be made as an independent class, meaning the 2018 re-draft does not effect the 2019 re-draft, etc.

Previous classes:

Round 1:

Pick 10: Josh Rosen, Quarterback

Rosen is legitimately one of the biggest busts in the modern NFL Draft era. Rosen, who the Cardinals traded up for, lasted one season with the team before being traded to Miami Dolphins the following season. In his lone season with the Cardinals, Rosen completed just 55.1% of his passes for 2,278 yards with 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.

The Cardinals would go 3-10 with him as the starter and subsequently obtain the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, which turned into Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray. When your greatest accomplishment for a team that traded up for you to be the face of the franchise was to help draft your replacement a year later, that's about as bad as it gets. Rosen is the biggest bust in franchise history.

Redo pick: Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens (originally pick 32)

I normally try to keep my redrafted picks within 10 or so picks, but it would be irresponsible to not take Jackson in a redraft. To his name, Jackson has:

One unanimous MVP
One First-Team All-Pro
Two Pro Bowls
Led the league in touchdown passes in 2019
Set the single-season quarterback rushing yards record
A 96.7 career passer rating

All of that along with countless other notable statistics and accolades. Simply put, Jackson has been arguably the most successful quarterback of the 2018 NFL Draft and he was the last pick in the first round. He would easily be a top-two pick in a redraft, but the Cardinals will just be happy to select him over Rosen.

Round 2:

Pick 47: Christian Kirk, Wide Receiver

The hometown kid was a beloved selection for the Cardinals, and for the most part, he paid off his end of the bargain. Kirk was a solid number two receiver for the team in his four seasons spent in the desert and recorded his best season in 2021 with 982 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 77 receptions. While Kirk never turned into a game-breaker with the Cardinals he was still a stud.

Redo pick: Dallas Goedert, Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles (originally pick 49)

I was this close to keeping Kirk as the pick, but then I remembered how much Jackson loves to throw to his tight ends and decided that Goedert was absolutely the better option here. Goedert has quietly turned into one of the top tight ends in the league and has over 1,500 receiving yards in the last two seasons after seizing the top spot on the depth chart with Philly. He and Jackson would make beautiful music together.

Round 3:

Pick 97: Mason Cole, Center

Cole wasn't necessarily a bad selection for the Cardinals, but he also wasn't a great pick, either. After starting all 16 games at center as a rookie, Cole became a primary backup for the team and would eventually be traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. Cole wasn't a bust; there were just better options available.

Redo pick: Nyheim Hines, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts (originally pick 104)

The idea here is to keep giving Jackson weapons and Hines fits that need perfectly. Hines is a triple threat as a runner, receiver, and return man with over 4,800 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns in his first five seasons in the league. His dynamic speed and playmaking ability make him a dangerous fit in this offense.

Round 4:

Pick 134: Chase Edmonds, Running Back

Edmonds was another quality pick for the Cardinals in the 2018 NFL Draft. In his four years with the team, Edmonds accumulated over 2,500 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns primarily in a backup role before starting 11 of 12 games in his final season with the team.

Redo pick: John Franklin-Meyers, Edge, Los Angeles Rams (originally pick 135)

Drafting Hines early eliminates the need to draft him again and instead the Cardinals pick up a much-needed pass rusher. Franklin-Meyers has been an underrated contributor for the New York Jets after one season in LA. His play got him a $55 million extension last offseason and the Cardinals wouldn't mind his play on their defense.

Round 6:

Pick 182: Chris Campbell, Cornerback

Campbell was waived by the Cardinals before his rookie season even began. Not that all late-round draft picks are expected to contribute, but Campbell didn't even get an opportunity with the team and did not record any stats in the pros.

Redo pick: DeShon Elliott, Safety, Baltimore Ravens (originally pick 190)

Elliott has turned into a fine safety, albeit he has battled injuries throughout his career. In his two healthiest seasons (2020 with the Ravens and 2022 with the Detroit Lions), Elliott recorded 176 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Elliott and Budda Baker would've made a wonderful duo at safety for the Cardinals.

Round 7:

Pick 254: Korey Cunningham, Offensive Tackle

Cunningham actually started six games as a rookie in relief for an injured D.J. Humphries but was traded after one season with the Cardinals. That's more than you can usually expect out of a player who was two picks away from going undrafted.

Redo pick: J.C. Jackson, Cornerback, New England Patriots (undrafted)

On the topic of undrafted players, Jackson has been one of the best-undrafted players in the last decade. While his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers didn't go as planned, Jackson paced the league in interceptions from 2018-2021 with an astounding 25 picks and 53 pass breakups. Jackson would be the top guy for the Cardinals and would certainly have been drafted period in a 2018 NFL redraft.