You might not like the value grade the Cards got in the draft, but I do believe they have one of the best scouting depts. in the league and that is evident by players like Shipp, D.Anderson, and Wakefield... all UDFA.
Hmmm. Suggs = #16. Sullivan = #6. Scouting and drafting involves a lot of different aspects - beating the bushes, visiting small schools in the boonies, having good relationships with a lot of college coaches and assistants, organizing the data, evaluating the information that's collected, exercising good judgement under the pressure of the clock at the draft, scoping out what other teams are likely to do.
The Cards have been good at unearthing UDFA's capable of playing and even starting.
But, in my opinion, they were far from being surefooted in the 1st round Saturday, our team and its players haven't won anything consistently (or lately) so I wouldn't annoint them "one of the best scouting depts." just yet.