The Arizona Cardinals appear to have had a good NFL draft this year. They landed a number of players at value positions. Their first pick, Isaiah Simmons, was not expected to be available with the eighth overall pick. Tackle Josh Jones, whom they selected in the third round, was believed by many to be a first-round talent.
Jones probably would be considered by most to be the Cardinals’ biggest steal of the draft.
According to Draft Wire managing editor Luke Easterling, he isn’t. The Cardinals’ biggest steal will surprise you. It is defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence.
How is this possible?
It is simple math. Easterling had him ranked 86 spots ahead of where he was drafted.
Jones was a steal in the third round. He was ranked 44 spots higher than the No. 72 pick the Cardinals used to select him.
If we are going by straight math, Lawrence wasn’t even the biggest steal. That player would be running back Eno Benjamin, selected in the seventh round with the 222nd pick. He was ranked 89 spots higher.
Lawrence should be a part of the defensive line rotation as a rookie. How much will he impact the defense? That remains to be seen, but his mentality and physicality should be a welcome addition to the defensive line.
[vertical-gallery id=440581]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 268
[protected-iframe id=”b982993d8c20b3c1204a481770f7fbae-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/29016811/download.mp3″ ]
Ep. 267
[protected-iframe id=”682ebb6e7ef6b83ea73b8875d2f5241d-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/27243565/download.mp3″ ]