Arizona Cardinals Day 2 Player Ratings of the NFL Draft

Arizona Cardinals Draft Pick Rating

Day 2, Cardinals’ first pick, 43rd overall pick: CB Max Melton

B+ – After a series of trades early in the second round, including the Cardinals moving from No. 35 to No. 43 for an additional third-round pick, Arizona opted for Melton, who had eight interceptions during his Rutgers career. Melton improved each year, as his quarterback rating when he was covering an intended receiver went from 92.3 as a sophomore to 65.7 as a senior. The Cardinals already had plenty of cornerback depth before the draft, but they were looking for a playmaker, and Melton has good size to match up with big receivers down the field. He had a fantastic NFL combine job and was clearly the cornerback the Cardinals wanted and felt they could get revenge in a trade.

Day 2, Cardinals second pick, 66^th Overall: RB Trey Benson

b – It may not have been a pressing need, but by signing the second running back in the draft, the Cardinals certainly added competition and some intriguing depth to that space. The 6-foot-1, 221-pound Benson began his college career at Oregon, but missed the 2020 season due to a knee injury and after playing in 10 games the following season as a reserve, he transferred to Florida State. He was consistent there, averaging 155 carries and 900 yards over the past two seasons and rushing for nine touchdowns and a career-high 14 in 2023. With veteran James Conner entering the final year of his contract, this was a move semi-bold for the future. Benson has 4.39 speed and will battle for playing time with Michael Carter and Emari Demercado.

Day 2, Cardinals third pick, 71^street overall, OG Isaiah Adams

C – This could turn out well, but it seemed a little difficult for Arizona. Adams, a native of Canada, took the college route before finding a home at Illinois the past two seasons, where he started at guard and tackle. He has the size (6-foot-4, 315 pounds), but has shorter arms and doesn’t project very strong in pass-blocking situations. The Cardinals, however, saw something they really liked in him at the Senior Bowl and were able to coach him into a useful player. At the very least, he provides depth specifically at left guard, which was a point they were hoping to address.

Day 2, Cardinals’ fourth pick, 82^{North Dakota} Overall, TE Tip Reiman

A+— The Cardinals traded away the No. 79 overall pick they acquired from the Falcons in the deal to move out of the No. 35 spot and moved down two spots, while also reacquiring a sixth-round pick (No. 191) for a tenacious lock. end they coveted. Reiman is huge (6-5, 271) and a self-described mauler, who should be able to step in right away and start opposite Trey McBride in “12-man” packages. He’s the perfect type of thunder to McBride’s lightning and will quickly become a fan favorite in his own right. He started 37 games the last three years at Illinois and, like Adams, was a team captain there.

Further:Arizona Cardinals’ Darius Robinson is ‘polarizing prospect’ in 2024 NFL Draft ratings