NFL Draft Overreactions: Will the Cardinals and Rams Live to Regret Their Picks?

The confetti has been swept away. The last handshake between a commissioner and a hopeful rookie has been exchanged. The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and that means one thing: it’s time to overreact. Every year, we fall into the same trap. We crown draft-day winners before a single training camp practice. We bury teams for “reaching” on a player we only watched on YouTube highlights. But in the NFL, the draft is a long game, not a sprint. This year, two NFC West rivals—the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams—made decisions that have fans and pundits debating whether they nailed it or blew it. Let’s dive into the biggest overreactions and determine if these teams will regret their picks come January.

The Cardinals’ Gamble: Did They Ignore the Trenches?

The Arizona Cardinals entered the draft with a clear identity under head coach Jonathan Gannon: build through the defensive line and add weapons for quarterback Kyler Murray. On paper, they did that. But the specific choices have sparked a firestorm of debate. Arizona used their first-round pick on a dynamic edge rusher, a move that felt safe and necessary. However, the overreaction started when they passed on a top-tier offensive tackle in the second round to grab a wide receiver.

Why the critics are screaming: The Cardinals’ offensive line was a sieve in 2024. Kyler Murray was pressured on over 35% of his dropbacks. By ignoring the tackle position early, critics argue they are setting Murray up for another season of scrambling for his life. The overreaction here is that the front office is prioritizing flash over substance. But let’s look deeper. The receiver they selected—a speed demon from the SEC—fills a massive void left by Marquise Brown’s departure. This isn’t just a luxury pick; it’s a strategic move to keep defenses honest.

• The Overreaction: “The Cardinals are sabotaging Kyler Murray by not protecting him.”
• The Reality: Arizona’s new receiver creates a three-headed monster with Trey McBride and Michael Wilson. A quick passing game can mask offensive line issues.
• The Prediction: If the rookie edge rusher records 8+ sacks, no one will care about the offensive line until Week 10.

The real regret zone for the Cardinals is their Day 3 strategy. They waited until the fifth round to pick a center. That is a gamble that could backfire if starter Hjalte Froholdt gets injured. But let’s be honest—drafting a center in the fourth round isn’t sexy, and it rarely wins you a Super Bowl. The overreaction is that Arizona is doomed. The truth? They added a legitimate pass-rush threat and a game-breaking receiver. That’s a winning formula if the coaching staff can scheme around a shaky right tackle.

The Rams’ Mystery Box: Is Sean McVay Too Clever for His Own Good?

Then there are the Los Angeles Rams. General manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have a history of being unpredictable. Remember when they traded up for Jared Goff? Or when they won a Super Bowl after trading for Matthew Stafford? This year, they did it again. The Rams spent their first-round pick on a cornerback from a small school—a player most mock drafts had going in the third round. The internet exploded. “Reach!” “Bust!” “McVay is outsmarting himself!”

Why the critics are screaming: The Rams have a glaring need at inside linebacker and on the interior offensive line. By taking a cornerback who lacks elite top-end speed, they ignored two premium positions. The overreaction is that this pick is a wasted opportunity. But here’s the counterargument: the Rams’ defense under coordinator Chris Shula relies on sticky man coverage. Their current cornerbacks are aging or injury-prone. This rookie is a physical, instinctive player who fits their scheme like a glove. He might not run a 4.3 40-yard dash, but he knows how to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage.

Let’s break down the Rams’ draft haul:

• Round 1: Cornerback (small school, high football IQ)
• Round 3: Offensive guard (a mauler in the run game)
• Round 4: Wide receiver (a slot specialist to replace Cooper Kupp’s eventual decline)

The overreaction is that the Rams are tanking or wasting Stafford’s final years. But look closer. They drafted a guard in Round 3 who can start immediately. They added a receiver who can learn from Kupp. And that cornerback? He’s a turnover machine. In college, he forced 10 interceptions in two seasons. The Rams are betting on production over measurables. Will they regret it? Only if that cornerback gets torched by Deebo Samuel and D.K. Metcalf twice a year. But if he holds his own, McVay looks like a genius again.

The NFC West Arms Race: Who Won the Weekend?

When you zoom out, the draft was a microcosm of the NFC West’s brutal competition. The 49ers added a versatile safety. The Seahawks rebuilt their offensive line. But the Cardinals and Rams made the most polarizing moves. Let’s compare their approaches side-by-side.

Arizona Cardinals: High-risk, high-reward. They addressed the pass rush but left the offensive line thin. Their success hinges on Kyler Murray staying healthy and the rookie receiver being a home-run threat from Day 1. If that happens, they could challenge for a wild-card spot. If not, they’ll be picking in the top 10 again.

Los Angeles Rams: Scheme-specific, patient. They didn’t panic over linebacker. They trusted their coaching staff to develop a raw cornerback. The Rams are betting that Matthew Stafford’s experience and McVay’s play-calling can overcome a weak interior line. This is a team that believes in its system over individual talent.

The biggest overreaction of the weekend is that one of these teams “lost” the draft. In reality, the Rams have a higher floor because of Stafford and McVay. The Cardinals have a higher ceiling if their rookies hit. But here’s the cold truth: draft grades are worthless until pads are popping in August. The Rams’ cornerback might be a Pro Bowler. The Cardinals’ receiver might be a bust. We don’t know yet.

Final Verdict: Will They Regret It?

Let’s cut to the chase. Will the Cardinals regret their picks? Yes, but only if Kyler Murray gets hurt again. If the offensive line collapses and Murray misses time, the front office will face a firestorm of criticism. But if Murray stays upright and the new receiver stretches the field, Arizona’s offense becomes scary. The regret factor is moderate—they took a calculated risk.

Will the Rams regret their picks? Less likely. The Rams have a proven track record of developing late-round talent. Their first-round cornerback is a culture fit. The guard they drafted will start. The only regret could come if that cornerback is a total bust and they missed out on a star linebacker. But McVay and Snead have earned the benefit of the doubt. The Rams will regret this draft only if their defense gets shredded by elite quarterbacks.

My expert prediction: By Week 10, the Cardinals will be praised for their boldness, and the Rams will be criticized for being too cute. But by the end of the season, both teams will be in the playoff hunt. The draft is a tease. The real story is written on the field. So go ahead—overreact. That’s what May is for. But remember: the Super Bowl isn’t won in April. It’s won in January, with sweat, grit, and a little bit of luck.

The NFC West just got a lot more interesting. Buckle up.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.

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