Former UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen spoke from the heart after he was selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft, telling reporters that he was "pissed and "really angry" he fell outside the top three. That said, Rosen believes Arizona is the perfect place to begin what he hopes will be an illustrious NFL career.
After Baker Mayfield went #1 overall to the Cleveland Browns, and USC's Sam Darnold went third to the New York Jets, the Buffalo Bills traded up to the 7th pick where they had to choose between Rosen or Wyoming's Josh Allen. The Bills opted for Allen, allowing the Cardinals to take their guy 10th overall.
"There were nine mistakes ahead of me," Rosen said, according to ESPN.
"I thought I should've been picked at 1, 2 or 3," Rosen said. "I dropped, and I was pissed. I was really, really angry. I wasn't really showing it. I was trying to keep calm, cool, composed. But I thought I was going to get picked, and I thought I was going to have to put on a face and try and fake happiness. But for some reason, right when I got that call, that's not what happened. I got really happy and really motivated.
"All I wanted to do was basically get on a plane right then and go straight to Arizona and start working. It was definitely a surprise when I got that phone call in terms of the emotions I was feeling. But I think everything happens for a reason."
The Cardinals currently have Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon on their roster meaning Rosen likely won't be thrust into the starting role in his rookie season. "If I'm not [the starter], I'm going to support the team," Rosen said. "I'm not Team Josh Rosen playing on the Arizona Cardinals. I'm part of the Arizona Cardinals and I want to win Super Bowls for the Arizona Cardinals, and I think over time, that'll happen."