Christmas is over and now it’s time to talk about what we got. The Cardinals ended up making only 5 draft selections in the 2007 draft. Here is what I gave the Arizona Cardinals for a draft grade and why I gave them this grade.

Draft Grade: B

First Round: OT Levi Brown, I’ve already gone over this pick in other postings. I’m not thrilled with this pick but I can live with it because of the need on the O-line. I really hope In 5 years we aren’t talking about this draft like we talk about the draft with Leonard Davis being selected over LaDainian Tomlinson. Peterson is most likely going to be an all pro running back and I just pray that Levi Brown can match him in success. Even though I think we could regret this pick someday, it should help Leinart stay alive and give Edge holes to run through. The Cardinals should have let the clock run and made this pick just before Atlanta at #8 and saved the team lots of money by paying Brown #8 money instead of #5 money. Maybe this is just me being cheap?

Second Round: DT, Alan Branch, Iffy on this pick also. Everyone has said Branch is a bit lazy and lacks desire to play football sometimes. Not qualities you want in a player of course but has tons of talent and size. Hopefully Branch can step up and be the player he is capable of being. I was frustrated the Cardinals had to give up a 4th round pick to move up 5 spots to take this guy. That 4th round pick would have been great to get another cornerback with. The other thing is Branch is the exact same player as Gabe Watson who is also from Michigan. So I felt Arizona got a player that they already have. Maybe with these guys together they can make one heck of a DT.

Third Round: LB, Buster Davis, I feel this could have been the steal of the draft for any team. Davis is a recking ball and a smart one at that. He takes a straight line to the ball and if anyone gets in his way they will go down. He is a pure football player that will be excellent, no doubt about that. In my past posting I raved about Davis and pleaded with the Cardinals to take him, and guess what they did. Very good pick this will really upgrade the defense.

No Fourth Round Pick:

Fifth Round: WR, Steve Breaston, another steal for the Cardinals. Breaston will be a lot like Antwaan Randle El was for the Steelers, he can make plays as a 3rd or 4th receiver. The return game will be dramatically upgraded for Arizona. If you don’t believe me then watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XReJ_6RTThw

No Sixth Round Pick:

Seventh Round: TE, Ben Patrick, yes again another steal with the 7th round pick. Myself and many other draft analyst had Patrick going in the 3rd round. I was very confused on why he would drop to the end of the draft but when I saw him there while the Cardinals were picking I said they gotta take him. They did and I think they will be happy making Ben the number 2 tight end behind Leonard Pope.

Overall I think it was the 3rd, 5th, and 7th round picks that made this draft a B. It would have been very average if not for the steals they got in those later rounds. All the players they got can come in and play the first year and contribute. The Cardinals are turning into a scary team, the only weakness they might have now is at cornerback. Lets hope everyone can stay healthy this year!

Original post by Eli Wahlstrom and software by Elliott Back

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