ESPN.com-Mel Kiper “Draft Grades”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B+
Chris Wells was a major acquisition for the Cardinals in the first round of this draft. He was a bargain for a team that was in dire need of a running back to rotate in with second-year back Tim Hightower. Wells gives this team the home run threat that the running game was sorely lacking last season. In addition to Wells, I liked the Cody Brown pick in the second round because he should be a good 3-4 rushing end in the Cardinals' system. Bringing in LSU offensive lineman Herman Johnson in the fifth round and Illinois defensive end Will Davis in the sixth were good pickups for this organization.
DallasMorningNews.com-Rick Gosselin “NFL Draft Analysis”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: A
The Cardinals addressed the worst running game in the NFL with the addition of Wells … and special teams by selecting the best gunner in the draft, Johnson, and a return specialist in Stephens-Howling.
SI.com-Tony Pauline “Picks and Pans”
Steals: Chris Wells/RB/ Arizona/31st: Arizona came away with a steal as Wells will be a great fit.
CBSSports.com-Pete Prisco “NFL Draft Grades”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B-
This is an organization that has turned the corner when it comes to drafting.
CBSSports.com-Clark Judge “Draft Judgments”
Five Second-Day Moves I Like
5. Arizona taking safety Rashad Johnson at the bottom of the third round. The guy was a walk-on at Alabama and a two-year captain. That is extraordinary, and it should tell you something about his character.
Yahoo!Sports.com-Charles Robinson “NFC Grades”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B+
Bottom line: B+. Getting Wells with the second-to-last pick in the first round was a coup. He adds exactly the kind of explosion the position needs. Brown should add some pass rushing help and Johnson is a good playmaker who works hard all the time.
FoxSports.com-John Czarnecki “Grading Every Team’s NFL Draft”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B
After making it to their first Super Bowl, the Cardinals were in an unfamiliar position at the bottom of the first and second round. They came away with Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells and UConn linebacker Cody Brown. Wells, a powerful inside runner, has a chance to be the featured back next season because Tim Hightower is more of a third-down player.
SportingNews.com-Clifton Brown “Grading the NFL Draft”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B-
Chris "Beanie" Wells was not expected to fall to No. 31, but he gives the Cardinals a quality back. This team is a juggernaut on offense, so it made sense to add defenders like outside linebacker Cody Brown and safety Rashad Johnson.
NBCSports.com-“Grading All 32 Teams”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B
The Cards wanted a speed complement for Tim Hightower at No. 31 and did better than they ever could’ve imagined. Chris Wells, who cracked 4.4 at Pro Day, is Ken Whisenhunt’s new Jerome Bettis. Rashad Johnson, who learned under Nick Saban at Alabama, is a pro-ready free safety and LSU G/T Herman Johnson was a value pick in round five.
USAToday.com-Larry Weisman “NFL Draft Grades”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B
Cardinals needed RB to complement Tim Hightower and found Chris Wells still on the board at 31. Rangy DE/LB Cody Brown should give them some flexibility in their 3-4. Ballhawk DB Rashad Johnson will quickly find a role.
ChicagoTribune.com-Dan Pompeii “Best Value”
These picks represented the best values of the first day:
Ohio State running back Beanie Wells by the Cardinals with the 31st pick. Judged solely on his talent, Wells is a top-10 player.
Philly.com-Paul Domowitch (Philadelphia Daily News) “NFL Report Card”
Arizona Cardinals: Grade: B+
Beanie Wells gives Cardinals another power runner to go with Tim Hightower.
