The Arizona Cardinals have concluded their season, earning another prominent draft pick. As customary, this implies the commencement of extensive conjecture, discussions regarding various possibilities, and the famous phenomenon of mock drafts!
Despite a lot of excitement on Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals ultimately finished the week in the same position they were in at the start: holding the #4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This is one of the most impressive and intriguing drafts in recent memory, and the Cardinals are expected to have a significant role in the pre-draft storylines. Last year, the team found themselves in a similar position with the #3 pick and decided to trade back with the Houston Texans, resulting in the acquisition of Paris Johnson Jr. at #6, along with a 2nd-rounder from last year and a 1st-rounder from this year. It was a great deal for the Cardinals.
What plans does GM Monti Ossenfort have in store for this year? Well, that will largely depend on what happens with the top three picks. Today, let’s briefly explore the possible scenarios for the Cardinals at #4. Afterwards, we can thoroughly analyze and scrutinize them over the next few months, as is customary. Let’s get started!
Scenario #1: Quarterbacks Selected in the First Three Picks
This is the most likely scenario and is what many Cardinals fans are hoping for. It is widely anticipated that USC’s Caleb Williams will be drafted as the number one pick. The Chicago Bears would then either select Williams or trade with a team outside the top three who would draft him. Next, the Washington Commanders would choose either UNC’s Drake Maye or LSU’s Jayden Daniels as the second pick. The third pick becomes more intriguing, but the New England Patriots are in desperate need of a quarterback and would likely select whichever quarterback is still available or trade down with another team in need of a quarterback.
Cardinals’ Decision Time: In most projected scenarios, the Cardinals are expected to choose the best available non-quarterback option, Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State. Despite having numerous areas that require attention such as offensive line, defensive line, edge rusher, and cornerback, wide receiver ranks high on their priority list. Harrison exhibits extraordinary talent, often considered a once-in-a-generation player. Pairing him with Kyler Murray and Trey McBride for the next ten years would undeniably offer an enjoyable spectacle. While trading back remains a possibility to address other positions, bypassing Harrison in the draft might provoke extreme dissatisfaction among Cardinals fans. Thus, it is hoped that he will be the ultimate selection.
There is a possibility that Marvin Harrison Jr. may not be available for the Cardinals to choose. The Bears could potentially select him at #1, although it is highly unlikely. Alternatively, the Bears could trade back with either Washington or New England and choose him at #2 or #3. If the Patriots are not satisfied with the remaining quarterbacks, they could also select him at #3. Furthermore, there is a chance that another team could surprise everyone and pick him before the Cardinals have the chance. It is important to consider various scenarios where Harrison Jr. may not be available at #4 for those hoping to see him in Arizona.
The Arizona Cardinals are projected to choose another offensive tackle in the draft if Harrison is not available. Though it may not be the most exciting pick, investing in the offensive line is always a wise decision. However, since one of the top three quarterbacks may still be available, another team might be willing to pay a premium to move up to the Cardinals’ position. In such a scenario, it could be advantageous for the Cardinals to trade down and potentially select a tackle later in the draft or opt for a top-tier wide receiver like Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, or even a pass rusher like Dallas Turner. It is important to note that the Cardinals have an additional first-round pick from Houston, which gives them flexibility and maneuverability in the draft. Given these factors, I lean towards favoring a trade back if Harrison is not on the board.
In the NFL Draft, the uncertainty surrounding quarterback prospects always adds to the overall unpredictability. Just like the debates between Mayfield, Darnold, and Allen in 2018, or Burrow, Tagovailoa, and Herbert in 2020, and Lawrence, Wilson, and Lance in 2021, or even Young and Stroud last year, a new debate is emerging around Williams, Maye, and Daniels. With time still remaining before the draft, it’s possible that a team may consider Daniels as the top quarterback, or Williams might experience a surprising decline similar to Bo Callahan, or perhaps another team has high interest in Harrison or one of the offensive tackles. While it may not be highly probable, it’s always wise to anticipate unexpected outcomes in the NFL Draft.
If one of the top two quarterbacks is available for the Cardinals at #4, there is a question of whether they would choose to draft a quarterback if they believe Williams/Maye would be a significant improvement over Kyler. While the team is confident in Kyler, it’s important to consider that the previous regime also showed confidence in Josh, and they didn’t anticipate having the first pick in 2019. It’s unlikely that Ossenfort would select a quarterback, as he would probably opt to trade back for more picks. However, during draft season, it’s common to engage in speculation and consider fantastical scenarios.
With regards to the Cardinals’ options at the #4 spot, here are the most probable situations as I see them, listed in order of likelihood:
1. If MJH is accessible, it is likely that the Cardinals will draft him at #4.
2. If MJH is not available, the Cardinals will most likely select one of the tackles.
3. Another possibility is that the Cardinals might choose to trade back in order to acquire additional picks.
As a Cardinals fan, I am personally hoping for MJH to be drafted, but I have faith in Ossenfort’s decision-making abilities on draft day. Considering his successful debut as GM last year, I am excited to witness his moves this year.
It’s time for you, Birdgang, to share your thoughts. What possible outcomes do you envision? What are your desires for draft day? What do you anticipate? As usual, participate in the poll and initiate discussions in the comments section.
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