NotSteve'S MOCK DRAFT
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NotSteve'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON MAR 2, 2025

1st 5 round

  • NotSteve DRAFTING FOR THE
    Cardinals
Draft Selections
Walter Nolen Head Shot
PICK: 16 RND: 1 (ARI)
Walter Nolen
DT Ole Miss
Aireontae Ersery Head Shot
PICK: 47 RND: 2 (ARI)
Aireontae Ersery
OT Minnesota
Maxwell Hairston Head Shot
PICK: 78 RND: 3 (ARI)
Maxwell Hairston
CB Kentucky
Riley Leonard Head Shot
PICK: 114 RND: 4 (ARI)
Riley Leonard
QB Notre Dame
Kobe King Head Shot
PICK: 153 RND: 5 (ARI)
Kobe King
LB Penn State
Draft Grade — Cardinals
Overall B-
ValueB- NeedB TradesB- FutureB-
The Cardinals cashed the board's mistake on King: B-.

The Cardinals did not reach, did not trade up, did not blink. They just waited, and Kobe King fell into pick 153. More right than wrong, and a B- to match.

For all the activity, wide receiver went untouched, which is hard to explain. Job largely done: quarterback settled and 4 of 8 of the wish list covered.

The trenches got the money picks, top to bottom.

All told, a draft that does its job without fuss, and there is real value in that.

Pick Analysis
Pick16 Rnd1 Walter Nolen
In the 16th pick they get a disruptive interior force. A clean fit for the roster.
Pick47 Rnd2 Aireontae Ersery
Aireontae Ersery in No. 47 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick78 Rnd3 Maxwell Hairston
Maxwell Hairston at the Round 3 slot is right where the board had him, plain and simple. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Pick114 Rnd4 Riley Leonard
Riley Leonard slipping to the 114th overall pick is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick153 Rnd5 Kobe King
Steal is underselling it; Kobe King at Round 5, Pick 14 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.