How the Cardinals 2023 Rookie Class Is Ranked by NFL.com.
NFL.com graded the 2023 rookie class of the Arizona Cardinals, and they did not do too poorly.The future of the Arizona Cardinals in 2024 and beyond holds promise, thanks in part to their impressive rookie class in the leadership of general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm evaluated the performance of each NFC West team and their respective 2023 rookie classes, awarding Arizona a “B” for their efforts.
Focusing on the No. 6 overall pick, Paris Johnson, Edholm noted that approximately 25% of the Cardinals’ roster consisted of rookies, totaling an NFL-leading 64 starts in the season. While none of them immediately became stars, Johnson stood out by starting every game at right tackle and improving as the season progressed after initial challenges. Edholm praised Johnson’s mass, athleticism, and aggressive playing style, envisioning him as the Cardinals’ future left or right tackle.
The offensive additions didn’t end with Johnson, as Michael Wilson showcased his potential for the future. Edholm acknowledged Wilson’s big-play ability and solid performance despite an injury affecting his debut season.
Shifting to the defensive side, Edholm highlighted the impactful contributions of Arizona’s rookies. Ojulari, initially a deep reserve, emerged with three of his four sacks occurring in Week 10 or later, positioning himself for a potential starting role in 2024. Stills had a solid debut, starting eight games, although his impact lessened with increased snaps. Pappoe started a game in Week 16 and displayed potential late in the season.
Williams, returning from a torn ACL, played solidly and appears poised for a starting role in the upcoming season. Clark started at corner but faced challenges, seeing reduced reps outside of two late-season starts. Thomas had moments with five passes defended but also experienced struggles, indicating the need for improvement in his second year.
