Breaking down the Arizona Cardinals' class in the 2019 NFL draft.
Round 1, No. 1 overall: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
My take: It's officially the Kliff and Kyler show. Though I think Josh Rosen, the No. 10 overall pick in last season's draft, is getting a raw deal from the Cardinals, the decision to draft Murray makes perfect sense with Kliff Kingsbury as the new head coach. If the Cardinals want to entrust the offense and quarterback to Kingsbury, then it makes sense to give them the quarterback he has wanted for years. There's really no going back now for a franchise that has mismanaged its offense for the past two seasons.
What happens to Rosen?: He hasn't been traded yet, so the question becomes whether or not he stays on the roster beyond the end of the seventh round on Saturday. Whether the Cardinals move Rosen this week will all depend on what they can get for him. Otherwise, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he's on the roster for organized team activities and minicamp, sharing reps with Murray.
Will Murray work?: That's the biggest question. He's 5-foot-10 and a mobile quarterback who has a knack for evading hits. That needs to continue in the NFL if he wants to remain on the field and be the type of quarterback the Cardinals want and need. He has already run the Air Raid, so it's believed he'll be able to pick up Kingsbury's version of the offense seamlessly. Only time will tell.
Byron Murphy is a defensive back from Washington who earned first-team All-Pac-12 and second-team AP All-America accolades.
Round 2, No. 33 overall: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
My take: Murphy will come in with an opportunity to see the field almost immediately. He gives the Cardinals much-needed depth at corner, a position of need heading into the draft. He could push Robert Alford for the starting job opposite Patrick Peterson -- or take one of the starting jobs should Arizona move on from Peterson. Murphy, known as a hard hitter, has the skill set to stay in the NFL for years.
Andy Isabella is a wide receiver out of UMass who is a slippery open-field runner with good explosiveness after the catch.
Round 2, No. 62 overall: Andy Isabella, WR, Massachusetts
My take: Isabella is the product of the trade that sent quarterback Josh Rosen to the Miami Dolphins for the 62nd pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick. He gives the Cardinals more of what they already have: A short, fast receiver. The UMass product is 5-foot-9 -- an inch shorter than Kyler Murray -- but ran the 40 in 4.31 seconds at the combine. He gives Murray another fast option in the Air Raid offense, but the Cardinals are still missing a big, outside threat. Isabella can also return punts and kicks, which may mean Christian Kirk's days as a returner are over.
BC's Zach Allen is a good run-defender who locates the ball and disengages in time to pursue and converts speed to power as a pass-rusher.
Round 3, No. 65 overall: Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
My take: The Cardinals added more depth to their front seven with Allen, who can play the five-technique in a 3-4 scheme. At 6-foot-4 and 281 pounds, Allen has the size to be the run-stopping end he was in college. With the Cardinals thin at depth along the defensive line, Allen could earn playing time immediately.
Round 4, No. 103 overall: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
My take: The Cardinals got the big-bodied wide receiver they've desperately needed since parting ways with Michael Floyd after the 2016 season. At 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, Butler fits specific routes in the Cardinals' offense perfectly. He can work the edges and has good speed, as well as being known to win one-on-one battles. Butler will be the ideal complement to Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk.
Deionte Thompson is a tall and lean free safety from Alabama with excellent range and excellent instincts. He's adept at reading routes and the eyes of quarterbacks.
Round 5, No. 115 overall: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
My take: Thompson gives the Cardinals even more depth at safety, which is slowly becoming one of Arizona's strongest positions. He's 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, which gives him good size for a safety. He has one season as a full-time starter under his belt so his learning curve may be somewhat high but his experience at Alabama could give him the discipline to pick up NFL skills quickly.
KeeSean Johnson is a wide receiver out of Fresno State who made 95 receptions for 1,340 yards in 2018.
Round 6, No. 174 overall: Keesean Johnson, WR, Fresno State
My take: The Cardinals evidently saw receiver as a need, both because of a thin unit a year ago and because Kliff Kingsbury's Air Raid scheme relies on them. Johnson is another small receiver at 6-foot-1 and can play both the slot and outside, giving the Cardinals more versatility for the new offense.
Round 6, No. 179 overall: Lamont Gaillard, C, Georgia
My take: Gaillard provides more depth on the offensive line. He can play both center and guard, and is considered a tough, hard-nosed lineman. He might find it hard to crack the rotation since Arizona addressed serious needs on the offensive line during free agency but another body with big-game experience could come in handy later in the season.
Round 7, No. 248 overall: Joshua Miles, OT, Morgan State
My take: Miles is as raw of a draft pick as the Cardinals can get but that means Arizona can mold him into the type of offensive lineman they want. He's 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds. He played left tackle in college but can work at guard, as well. The more reps and coaching he gets, the better he'll get. And it could happen quickly.
Round 7, No. 249 overall: Michael Dogbe, DE, Temple
My take: Dogbe was one of the toughest players on the Owls last season, earning one of the coveted single-digit jerseys. He had a team-high seven sacks and gives the Cardinals more depth at an already crowded defensive end position.
Round 7, No. 254 overall: Caleb Wilson, TE, UCLA
My take: Wilson could find himself competing for a role on offense as the Cardinals are needing more depth at tight end. Wilson described himself as a pass-catching tight end who can stretch the field. His speed -- he ran the 40 in 4.56 seconds at the combine -- can be an asset as can his 6-foot-4 size.