The Cardinals took a high-risk, high-reward player in the first round in Robert Nkemdiche. It's a good landing spot for him thanks to Arizona's strong locker room. If he works out, they got a Darnell Dockett-like player. Boehm is a technician at center who should push to start as a rookie for the Cardinals. He's a great help blocker and enters the NFL with a lot of experience. Fifth-round pick Cole Toner can play right or left tackle. He has solid athleticism and will make for a nice backup with starting potential. There were a lot of small-school corners taken in this draft, and the Cardinals got one of the best ones in Harlan Miller in the sixth round. It was a little surprising to see the Cardinals avoid a quarterback.
—Dan Kadar, SB Nation
The line is aging with Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker and Red Bryant, not to mention a younger Corey Peters who has two reconstructed Achilles. They needed youth and explosiveness. They got that. Nkemdiche, in terms of talent, might be the best defensive lineman in the draft class.
Williams is a 5-11, 197-pound defensive back with blazing speed. He ran a 4.37-second 40 at the combine. He originally was a running back who moved to the secondary. He changed to cornerback just before his senior season and impressed. He was a team captain and the clear team leader. More importantly, Williams was one of the best special teams players in the nation. Bruce Arians said Williams will have "an immediate impact on special teams." Cornerback was one of the biggest needs the Cardinals had entering the day.
He made 52 starts in his college career. He is not considered a great athlete, but comes from a program with a history of producing NFL talent.He is the only player in team history to play in every game for four years as a starter, beginning as a true freshman. As with many other of the Cardinals' draft picks since Steve Keim became general manager, Boehm was a team captain.
Christian is a 5-10, 196-pound safety with sub-4.5 speed. He likes to hit. Arizona seems to take at least one small-school guy every year. Christian is definitely that guy. He adds speed and depth to the defensive backfield.
Toner is a 6-5, 305-pounder, and is listed as a tackle. The Cardinals list him as a guard. He participated in the Senior Bowl. Toner gives the team potential depth on the offensive line. They lost their backup tackle, Bradley Sowell, in free agency. Jonathan Cooper was traded. Earl Watford enters the final year of his contract. Evan Mathis was signed for only one season.
Miller is 6-0 and 182 pounds. He picked off 11 passes his last three seasons. He did not test well in terms of speed. His 40 time at the Combine was 4.65 and at his Pro Day it was 4.57.vHe has experience returning punts.