Arizona Cardinals NFL draft picks 2022: Analysis for every selection

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The 2022 NFL draft was held April 28-30 and every Arizona Cardinals' draft pick is analyzed here.

The draft was held in Las Vegas in the area adjacent to Caesars Forum two years after it was initially scheduled. The 2020 NFL draft was turned into a virtual event because of COVID-19.

Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player Arizona selected will fit.

Analysis of every NFL pick | Updated depth charts

Round 2, No. 55 overall: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

My take: He has the potential to be an ideal complement to Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams. He's proven he can produce. He was the Mackey Award winner as the country's best tight end and a first-team All-American after turning in a season that produced 1,121 yards on 90 catches. He will give coach Kliff Kingsbury options across the passing game, whether that's on the line or out wide. He could see significant action early in the season depending on how well Williams' knee has recovered.

Round 3, No. 87 overall: Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State

My take: Thomas has the size to be a factor off the edge. He proved in college that he can disrupt offenses with 61 quarterback pressures and that he can get off the line in a hurry with 23.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He'll get a chance to compete for playing time immediately after Arizona let Chandler Jones leave in free agency. If Thomas can establish himself during the summer and training camp, he can be a significant complement to Markus Golden on the edge.

Round 3, No. 100 overall: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati

My take: The Cardinals continued to address an area of need with Sanders, who is an edge rusher. He's a bit raw, but he has the speed to compete in the NFL, even if he can still improve on his ability to get to the quarterback. He had a pressure percentage of 14.1 last season but had just 2.5 sacks. If he's able to develop that part of his game, he could be another productive weapon off the edge.

Round 6, No. 201: Keaontay Ingram, RB, USC

My take: The Cardinals are in need of a solid back up -- or a back-up group -- for starting running back James Conner. Ingram can help fill that role, especially if his pass-catching skills live up to the hype and production. He's 6-feet and 215 pounds, so he has the size to spell Conner, if needed, as well as make plays happen on his own.

Round 6, No. 215: Lecitus Smith, G, Virginia Tech

My take: With a bit of refinement, Smith could find himself competing for a starting guard position. Arizona doesn't have a bonafide right guard with the likes of Josh Jones and Justin Murray expected to battle it out for the job. With a solid showing during OTAs, minicamp and training camp, plus some work on his hand placement, Smith, who has the size to play in the NFL at 6-3 and 314 pounds, can find himself in the middle of that battle, or at the very least, as a backup.

Round 7, No. 244 overall: Christian Matthew, CB, Valdosta State

My take: He has the size at 6-foot-2 to find a place on the Cardinals' roster if he has the skill it takes to be an NFL cornerback. Arizona has a need for more corners after not re-signing Robert Alford this offseason, so the opportunity is there for Matthew if he can impress enough.

Round 7, No. 256: Jesse Luketa, LB, Penn State

My take: A versatile defender who moved from inside linebacker to the edge, but played both positions as a senior, Luketa is a high-motor guy who may not have the speed to be a traditional edge rusher. But if he can contribute on special teams, there may be a spot for Luketa on the Cardinals' roster.

Round 7, No. 244 overall: Marquis Hayes, G, Oklahoma

My take: A former teammate of Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown, Hayes has the size -- he's 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds -- fitting an NFL offensive guard. He may need a year or two to develop but he could be an option for the Cardinals in the next few years.