I wasn't defending Keim. Just saying that those charts measure nothing.
Keim's charts have been terrible. We tend to have a proximity bias where we only are aware of what Keim does. Every GM's drafts suck, if you're looking for a player to come out of every pick. I'd say Keim's drafts have been fairly average except in the first round where he hasn't come through with a whole lot of guaranteed players.
Jonathan Cooper. Supposed to be one of the best ever. Seemed like a solid pick, but there's no metric for how a guy responds when the chips are down.
Deone Bucannon. Solid pick at the time. They seemed to be reinventing NFL defensed for the first few years, based on the plaudits of the national media. Turns out they just kept playing him in the wrong place. 6'0", 210 isn't a middle linebacker. He would have been a savage strong safety, which he was in college. This one may be more on the coaching. Guys tend to fall in love with their own plans.
DJ Humphries. Starting long term left tackle. Not a Hall of Famer probably, but he's been the first successful first round pick the Cards have made on the offensive line sine the early 80's.
Robert Nkdemiche. First round dropper who fell into our laps. The critique on him at that time was that he had limited production for unlimited potential. Turns out they were right. Seemed to be happy not to have a second contract.
Haason Reddick. This one was a reach that seemed to turn out in the end. He was the other kid who was played out of position for years until they cut that crap out and he finally flourished. He wasn't a genius, but they still made him learn a different position every year. He popped well and he's gone so that we could hang on to Golden. Probably even up trade
Josh Rosen. Well, there were four big quarterbacks that year and we needed one, so we traded up to get the last of them. I remember being happy at the time. Rosen hasn't worked out anywhere he's been yet, but this poor guy can't seem to find a team that isn't tanking. He was forced to work in the Wilks/McCoy year, with a fully injured Offensive Line. I'm amazed he won 3 games. Anyway, Keim showed a bit of mettle the next year.
Kyler Murray. First time ever holding the top pick. Other than his height, Murray was the complete package and has played largely like it in his two years. Took the team from three wins to five to eight, and would have had more if we had a reliable kicking game. Pretty good outcome so far for a 21 year old rook. Surround him with a good line and some decent skill position players besides Hopkins, and he'll shine.
So about 50% hits on first rounders. Not great, not terrible. A lot of them seemed like excellent picks at the time. Look at most other teams and their first round picks are usually hitting at the same rate. A few have a better run, and they turn into playoff teams.
I think with the addition of Malcolm Butler, our primary need right now is WR. Not a popular opinion but really we've got Hop and some role players. For a high flying Offense, more is necessary.