The influx of new Arizona Cardinals from three days of the 2022 NFL Draft means a whole lot of interviews and press conferences.
To help save you from all the words, we’ve whittled down droves of audio files to five standout quotes by or about the some of the team’s draft selections.
J.J. Watt Jr.?
Cardinals GM Steve Keim on San Diego State pass rusher and third-rounder (pick No. 87) Cameron Thomas: “He wears No. 99, has the mannerisms like (DE J.J. Watt) and I had to text him and apologize that we could potentially have a stalker situation on our hands.
“Him and Zach Allen will be following him around like puppies, but that’s a good thing. If (Thomas and Myjai Sanders) are both in here at 6 a.m. every day and stay until 4 p.m. we’re good with it. You get real excited because those are the football junkies and the guys that are vested in what you’re doing.”
Nothing but love
Second-round tight end Trey McBride (pick No. 55) on his affinity for the Valley: “I knew I was going to go here in the second round, I just didn’t know when but I’m just so excited that the Cardinals picked me. I love Arizona. I’ve been there so many times and just fell in love with the place. I wasn’t sure where I was going to go, but I’m so thrilled they picked me up at 55 and I’m excited to be a Cardinal.
“I just got done training at EXOS there in Phoenix and was there for about four months,” McBride added. “I fell in love with the place and told my agent that I love Phoenix, I want to be here and want to buy a place here regardless if I go (to the Cardinals) or not, I want to be here. I love that place. I love Arizona and I’m excited to come back.”
Now the real work begins
Seventh-round LB Jesse Luketa (pick No. 256) on what it means to be drafted: “It’s an honor, but the job is not done. I was fortunate enough to hear my name drafted tonight, but I’m excited. Tomorrow morning — it’s back to work, back in the lab and workouts. I want to be the best version of myself, so I can contribute and help Arizona win a Super Bowl.”
Good luck with that, rookie
Seventh-round CB Christian Matthew (pick No. 244) on getting a shot at wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins: “I’m too excited for that. Are you kidding me? I grew up watching DeAndre Hopkins and I use the word ‘grew up’ on purpose. I want him to kind of feel a little bit old.
“But I grew up watching him, man. He’s a phenomenal player. Obviously, makes the hard catches, makes contested catches. So, I want to challenge him down the field. It’s something he’s good at and I think I’m good at it as well. So, I’m thrilled.”
So you say there’s a chance?
Sixth-round OL Lecitus Smith (pick No. 215) on the team’s need for interior help along the line: “I feel like it gives me a fighting chance. The thing is, I’m a guy that comes with no ego, so it’s not like coming in and I hope that the guard spot is open. I’m fully willing to work, but at the same time I want to know that I have a chance.
“I want to know that I’m coming in and they feel like even though they have that starting offensive line put up on the board, I can still have a fighting chance to win that spot, so that’s pretty cool to me.”