In this series, I am going to do a quick IDP daft review for each team. We’ll take a look at their IDP draft haul, what it means for their team, and the impact it will have for fantasy managers. We kick off the series with the Arizona Cardinals who are led by first-time head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was previously the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cardinals finished the 2022 season with a 4-13 record and have a lot of overall team needs, so it’s crucial that they hit on as many of these draft picks as possible. Let’s get started and take a deep dive into their IDP draft haul.
2nd Round 41st overall - BJ Ojulari, OLB, LSU
The Cardinals entered the draft with the #3 overall pick and looked to be in a prime position for one of the class's top pass rushers. After some trading that wasn’t the case. However, in the 2nd round, they got a pass rusher that the defense desperately needed. Arizona selected BJ Ojulari from LSU, where he played in 34 games, making 24 starts and producing 129 total tackles, 25 TFLs, and 16½ sacks. Per Daniel Jeremiah’s Big Board, Ojulari ranked 35th on his list, the Cardinals got solid value here. The fantasy outlook for fantasy managers should be to expect his rookie season to be more of a rotational backup role with him becoming a starter at some point in year two.
3rd Round 72nd overall - Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
In the 3rd round the Cardinals got great value with a player, Garrett Williams from Syracuse, that slipped a bit due to injuries. I had Williams as a mid to late second-round pick and when you watch his film, it verifies that. In 32 games with Syracuse, Williams played 32 games and produced 152 total tackles, 115 solos, a 75.6 % solo rate, 9½ TFLs, two sacks, four INTs, and 27 PBUs. Arizona gets a ball-hawking CB that plays smoothly and under control in coverage and is physical when defending the run. In fantasy, CB isn’t a position that gets drafted much, if at all. However, if you’re looking for a late-round flyer with upside at the position, Williams is definitely worth it.
5th Round 168th overall - Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
Skip to day three of the draft and the Cardinals use their compensatory pick on combine freak, Owen Pappoe from Auburn University. This is right about where I thought he would be taken and that’s decent value for the Cardinals. Pappoe played in 41 games for the Tigers and registered career totals of 256 total tackles, 145 solos, 56.6% solo rate, 15 TFLs, eight sacks, two INTs, and nine PBUs. Had two 90+ tackle seasons for Auburn with an injury season in between. Pappoe blew up the combine with his 4.39 sec (40-yd) and 1.52 sec (10-yd split) times. The Cardinals are getting an experienced and aggressive linebacker for the middle of their defense. May allow them to move Zaven Collins or Isaiah Simmons? I like this pick for Arizona and Pappoe, but fantasy managers need to be patient and let it happen. Remember don’t overreact to combine numbers, there is a new regime in town, and things will look different quickly. Pappoe is a great taxi squad stash!
6th Round 180th overall - Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
The Cardinals had two picks in the sixth round and used the first one on CB Kei’Trel Clark from Lousiville (also named the Cardinals lol). While I like Clark, I wasn’t quite sure that he would get drafted. At Louisville, he played in 31 games with totals of 127 total tackles, 92 solos, a 72.4% solo rate. 9½ TFLs, one sack, five INTs, and 28 PBUs. Arizona is set at starters with Rashad Fenton and Marco Wilson but both could be easily challenged by Williams and Clark. At the very least these two battle for that third corner spot depending on how Arizona wants to go. Clark is the smaller of the two but can fly as he proved at the combine (4.42 sec 40-yd & 1.49 sec 10-yd split). For fantasy purposes, Clark isn’t someone I am looking to roster at this time. Too deep of a position with much better and established players.
6th Round 213th overall - Dante Stills, DT, West Virginia
With their last of two sixth-round picks and their final pick of the draft, the Cardinals stay with defense and select DT Dante Stills from West Virginia. Does that name sound familiar? It should as his brother Darius went undrafted and played for the Kansas City Chiefs. Their dad, Gary Stills, was drafted by the Chiefs in 99’ and played for ten years. Dante played in 59 games for the Mountaineers, where he recorded 138 total tackles, 84 solos, 60.8% solo rate, 52½ TFLs, 23½ sacks, six forced fumbles, one INT, and five PBUs. With the loss of Zack Allen to free agency and the retirement of JJ Watt, they became super thin on the interior defensive line, so this pick made a lot of sense. For fantasy purposes, Stills isn’t a big needle mover overall but he does have value in position-specific leagues with premium scoring.
All stats provided by Pro Football Reference
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
