The Arizona Cardinals had what many people consider a fantastic 2023 draft. Part of it was the players they landed and part of it was the way they leveraged their picks this year into future picks.
Most draft grades were very good.
One Twitter user, Rene Bugner, took the grades from 29 authors and publications and gave all 32 teams a collective GPA, based on those 29 draft grades.
How did the Cardinals do?
They did very well, ending up with the fifth-highest draft GPA in the league at 3.41.
Here is the tweet with the spreadsheet.
The Eagles come in at No. 1 with a 4.12 GPA, thanks to a number of A+ grades. After them are the Steelers at 3.94, Colts at 3.77 and the Seahawks at 3.61.
The belief is that the draft was good. Now the players need to perform to confirm that belief. First-round pick Paris Johnson will likely be a starter on the offensive line. Second-round pick BJ Ojulari should get playing time.
Even fourth-round pick Jon Gaines could start this season.
Plus, they added three picks in next year’s draft, including the Texans’ first-round pick, which potentially could be No. 1 overall.
Essentially, the Cardinals universally are seen as having done well in general manager Monti Ossenfort’s first draft in his new job.
An offer for Cardinals fans
For the best local Phoenix news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to azcentral.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
More Arizona Cardinals!
Cardinals QB Colt McCoy to make broadcasting debut in USFL game
Former Cardinals LB Markus Golden signing with Steelers
Cardinals given nearly 1:3 combined odds to land No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL draft
Story originally appeared on Cards Wire