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Arizona Cardinals' 2016 draft class: Analysis, grades, best picks, highlights

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Cardinals fill needs, but not at QB, in draft (1:40)

ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss says Arizona addressed areas of significant need throughout the NFL draft and took chances on unproven prospects. (1:40)

With the 2016 NFL draft now complete, every fan wants to review his or her team's draft. Where were the reaches? Was there enough value? Any potential busts?

ESPN Insider's NFL draft experts are here to provide a full recaps of every team.

For all 32 NFL teams, click here.

Arizona Cardinals

Scouts Inc. on 2016 class

1 (29): Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss | Highlights

What he brings: One of the biggest boom-bust prospects in this class, Nkemdiche has a rare combination of size, explosiveness and natural athleticism but comes with some risk both on and off the field. He is a versatile defender who flashes as quick and as explosive a first step as any defensive tackle in this class to create penetration up the field. However, while he is very disruptive on tape, he hasn't been productive and can show better instincts to finish. In addition, there are major red flags with his off-the-field character and that could ultimately determine whether he can reach his potential as a player. -- Kevin Weidl

How he fits: Nkemdiche's best fit is probably at 3-technique in a base four man-front but he's a unique talent with the potential to develop into an effective 3-4 defensive end as well, and the Cardinals had a need there. Perhaps more importantly, this is a good landing spot for Nkemdiche, who fell this far only because of concerns about his maturity. Arizona has the leadership in place to help him stay focused and realize his considerable potential. -- Steve Muench


3 (92): Brandon Williams, CB, Texas A&M | Highlights

What he brings: Williams is a former running back who switched to cornerback in 2015. He is still extremely raw in terms of technique and playing the ball, but he has upside to work with, thanks to his size, speed and athleticism. In addition, Williams should have the ability to be a contributor on special teams early in his career, which could buy him time as he develops as a player.

How he fits: Williams is a converted running back who has the size and athleticism to line up at both safety and cornerback. He needs to work on his technique, but he has the ability to contribute on special teams and add depth to the Cardinals' secondary. They have questions with S Tyrann Mathieu coming back from injury and S Rashad Johnson departing in free agency. -- Kevin Weidl


4 (128): Evan Boehm, OL, Missouri | Highlights

What he brings: A team captain and four-year starter, Boehm started his career at guard before moving to center his sophomore year. He doesn't overwhelm defenders as a run blocker and he's not an elite pass blocker, but he finds ways to get the job done and should provide quality depth. He has the size, tenacity and balance to develop into an effective starter. -- Steve Muench


5 (167): Marqui Christian, S, Midwestern State | Highlights

What he brings: He is an instinctive safety who has adequate ball skills. He is also a reliable tackler who will bring quality value on special teams coverage units early in his career. -- Kevin Weidl


5 (170): Cole Toner, OT, Harvard | Highlights

What he brings: A four-year starter, Toner flashes the kind of nasty disposition teams covet in their offensive linemen and shows good football smarts on tape. Position fit is a concern, though. His arm length (33 1/8") is a red flag for offensive tackles and he had some problems handling speed off the edge the week of the Senior Bowl. He's also on the lighter side for an offensive guard and plays too high on tape. -- Steve Muench


6 (205): Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana | Highlights

What he brings: A small-school prospect who stood out at the Senior Bowl, Miller has the ball skills and instincts to develop into a playmaker. He also shows good balance and body control transitioning in and of breaks on tape, but he didn't test well at the scouting combine. There are concerns about his ability to make the jump from FCS SE Louisiana to the NFL, even though he played well in Mobile, Alabama. There's also room for improvement when it comes to Miller's ability to defend the run. -- Steve Muench


Mel Kiper's Draft Grade: B-

Kiper: Robert Nkemdiche is a top-10 talent when at his best, which means when he's playing with 100 percent effort. When you get that, you have that rare penetrating force from the interior of the D-line. Calais Campbell will be 30 before Week 1, so while this isn't a huge need pick, it's a great value if Nkemdiche can jump into the rotation. I thought third-rounder Brandon Williams was a reach, but the former running back hits a clear need as a hybrid player in the secondary -- he could end up at either safety or corner. Evan Boehm is a solid addition in Round 4 because he can play either center or guard, and both can be considered need areas for the Cardinals. Marqui Christian is another safety addition -- a need area -- who has a chance to stick.

Arizona did a solid job of addressing needs, while also getting a potential premium player in Nkemdiche. I think they have the culture to make it work with him, and I know they did plenty of homework. Plus, this grade gets a bump because they addressed pass-rusher by trading their second-rounder for Chandler Jones before the draft.


Todd McShay's favorite pick

6 (205): Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana

I thought about putting Robert Nkemdiche here. I get why they took him in the first round, and as an organization, they've been good at handling players with baggage. But one thing that scares me off: Chandler Jones has had issues with synthetic marijuana, and now he'll be in the same meeting room with Nkemdiche, who has had his own off-field problems. So I went with Miller, on whom we had a fourth-round grade -- the Cardinals got him in the sixth. His combine performance scared off a lot of teams (4.65-second 40; 4.43 short shuttle), but some guys are better players than testers. With Tyrann Mathieu coming off injury and some other unanswered questions in the secondary, Miller is capable of making the roster and contributing, which is great for a sixth-rounder.