2023 NFL Draft: Major 49ers-related takeaways from Round 1
By Peter Panacy
Takeaway No. 3: 49ers can still look at Cardinals as NFC West’s worst team… for now
The Los Angeles Rams (again) were without a first-round pick, which has become the norm in recent seasons, even though the Niners have also joined that club.
Yet fans would probably trust LA’s rebuild in the next few years more than the one the Arizona Cardinals are trying to undergo under first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon, who apparently triggered a tampering charge between Arizona and his former employer, Philly, which was settled just before Round 1 kicked off.
At any rate, the Cardinals traded down from No. 3 overall with the Houston Texans, then traded back up to No. 6 and selected Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson.
Johnson isn’t likely going to be a replacement for left tackle D.J. Humphries just yet, but he’s a serious upgrade at right tackle. Plus, the added draft capital after the initial move with Houston should help Gannon retool what was arguably the worst roster in the NFL entering the 2023 offseason.
The Cardinals may still be bad this year, but they’re on the right track by building in the trenches and selecting Johnson.