Grading each pick made by Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft

With the 133rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals took Rashard Lawrence. The Cardinals double up at interior defensive lineman and pick up the senior from LSU.

This is a bit of an odd pick. I like the player, but they just drafted a similar player in Leki Fotu. Lawrence is another two-gapping defensive tackle who is stout against the run. He has a nice anchor ability and can hold his own at the point of attack.

Like Fotu, I think this is good value, as this is right where I projected him to be drafted. However, I have Lawrence ranked higher than Fotu, and now the Cardinals have drafted both of them. If one of these picks wasn’t an interior defensive lineman, it makes much more sense.

I like the player but drafting a run-stuffing defensive tackle immediately after drafting another one is a bit strange. Lawrence is a hard worker who has a great motor and hands, but his pass rush upside is limited. Lawrence will be a contributor on run downs, but projects as a more capable player on early downs. Expect to see Lawrence and Fotu sub in for each other; early downs for Lawrence, late for Fotu.

Pick Grade: C-