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After months of speculation, Draft Day in the NFL has finally arrived.
For our precious Arizona Cardinals, the next three days have a chance to redefine this franchise for the better. GM Monti Ossenfort, equipped with a bounty of picks, can reshape this roster into a contender seemingly overnight.
Smart teams know building a model of sustained success in this league starts in April and the Cardinals finally appear ready to join the club. Ossenfort has a unique opportunity, for the first time in franchise history, to craft a winner through the draft.
Let’s get to it.
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Rinse and repeat like so many times before. Williams has a chance to reach the postseason as a rookie.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Despite a hiccup with his most recent “joint-visit”, Jayden Daniels will attempt to pickup where RG3 left off.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
There is no reality in which owner Robert Kraft watches another franchise offer 3+ first-rounders for the rights to draft Drake Maye and subsequently passes on the ex-Tar Heel.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Regardless of the outcome, you can’t argue the fact that Ossenfort is in complete control of the situation brewing with pick #4. If the J.J. McCarthy hype train has reportedly slowed, the Cardinals GM won’t hesitate to make MHJ the next Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona.
Like we’ve outlined so often on PHNX Cardinals, everything in this draft is made easier with the selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. to the desert.
5. (TRADE) Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
*Los Angeles Chargers receive pick 11 and 23
Unlike Arizona, supposedly Harbaugh is desperate to move down and will take a smaller package if it means he can navigate to an offensive tackle of his choosing. Roughly 24-hours out and I still think the Vikings and the Giants jockey for the right to draft McCarthy.
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers is a quality talent that will suffer greatly from the incompetence in New York. Anything outside of a QB for the Giants feels like a waste.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
For some teams, Alt has lost momentum as the draft’s top tackle but I don’t believe that is the case in Tennessee.
8. (TRADE) New York Jets: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
*Atlanta Falcons receive pick 10, 72 and a 2025 second-round pick.
The Jets saw all of your mock drafts tying them to Brock Bowers and are trading up as a result.
9. Chicago Bears: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Count me in as someone who is buying the pre-draft propaganda that Murphy is the first defender draft. Chicago is going defense if the big 3 at WR are off the board.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Another fast riser thanks much in part to most folks refamiliarizing themselves with his dominant tape.
11. Los Angeles Chargers: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Is it going to be more of a shock if Latham doesn’t end up being the pick for the Chargers…wherever they end up? This lovefest is bording on PDA territory.
12. Denver Broncos: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Broncos are poised to shakeup the first-round but not with pick 12. Bowers represents the lone first-round caliber TE.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
After hiring interim HC Antonio Pierce, the Raiders are done conforming to what traditionally works in the league. Penix is older and has had some prior injuries but he immediately makes Las Vegas interesting in a loaded AFC West.
14. New Orleans Saints: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Another cutie I’m running back because I like the fit so much. I’m not buying that Brian Thomas Jr. is suddenly in the ranks with the likes of Keon Coleman and Troy Franklin. Dude can play.
15. (TRADE) Philadelphia Eagles: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
*Indianapolis Colts receive pick 22 and 50
The Eagles covet SEC defenders and have made no secret about their desire to move up. Meanwhile, Indy can bide their time for a potential blockbuster later in the first-round.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Like the fit here especially with an offense still attempting to prop up Geno Smith. New HC Mike McDonald understands the importance of a consistent run game and Fautanu is EASILY the most physical tackle in this class.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Troy Fautanu, OT/OG, Washington
The run on offensive linemen has begun, with the Jaguars opting for positional versatility with Fautanu.
18. Cincinatti Bengals: Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, DT, Illinois
As much as this will pain Cardinal fans, the Bengals have been tied to Newton most of the offseason. The lack of quality depth at the position will see the top two DTs drafted before pick 20.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
While it’s a foregone conclusion to some that the Rams will go offense, my guess is they take advantage of a premium defender that is pushed down the board. Turner’s ceiling remains pick 8 in this draft.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Once a contender for OT1, Fashanu still projects as perhaps the most physically gifted pass blocker in this year’s class.
21. Miami Dolphins: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
It’s no longer a question of will the Dolphins take an offensive tackle, but which one. I’ll stick with Mims to Miami over a “finesse” player like Tyler Guyton.
22. (TRADE) San Francisco 49ers: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
*Indianapolis Colts receive WR Brandon Aiyuk
NOW WE’RE HAVING FUN
23. (TRADE) Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
*Los Angeles Chargers receive pick 76, a 2025 first-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick.
Desperation sets in for Sean Payton who previously saw a 64 selection gap between his first and third-round picks. Meanwhile, the Chargers continue to stockpile ammo for 2024 and beyond.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Oklahoma tackles rarely bust and the Cowboys love them some first-round Sooners. Guyton is one of the safest players in the draft.
25. Green Bay Packers: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
With a number of top-end corners to choose from, the Packers go with the 22-year-old phenom out of the Mid-American Conference.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, iOL, Duke
Instead of reaching for a fringe first-round OT, Tampa pivots to top 20 talent that can play all five positions upfront.
27. (TRADE) New England Patriots: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
*Arizona Cardinals receive pick 34 and 68
The AFC punches back against perennial juggernauts Buffalo and KC to steal some quality receivers before the end of Round 1.
28. Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Like Josh Allen once upon a time, Buffalo rolls the dice on a super raw yet super athletic offensive talent in the first-round
29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
It’s becoming a draft mandate that the Detroit Lions take an Alabama player in the first-round.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
After that embarrassing loss against Kansas City, Baltimore needs to get younger and more athletic on the edge.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Frazier, OC, West Virginia
Would be genuinely shocked if the 49ers didn’t make a play for a top 50 interior offensive linemen.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Every time the rest of the league thinks the Chiefs are gonna zig, they zag. DeJean is another interchangeable piece for DC Spagnuolo to deploy ala Tyrann Mathieu.
Round 2
33. Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
34. Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
35. Arizona Cardinals: Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
36. Washington Commanders: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
38. (TRADE) New York Giants: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
*Tennessee Titans receive pick 47, 107 and 166
39. (TRADE) Arizona Cardinals: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
*Carolina Panthers receive pick 66 and 68
40. Washington Commanders: Edgerrni Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
41. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
42. Houston Texans: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
43. Atlanta Falcons: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
45. New Orleans Saints: Jonathan Brooks, RB, Texas
46. Indianpolis Colts: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
47. Tennessee Titans: Jonathan Brooks, RB, Texas
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC, Oregon
50. Indianpolis Colts: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
52. Los Angeles Rams: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
53. (TRADE) Los Angeles Chargers: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
*Philadelphia Eagles receive pick 69, 105 and 110
54. Cleveland Browns: Brandon Coleman, OG, TCU
55. Miami Dolphins: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
56. Dallas Cowboys: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
58. Green Bay Packers: Bralen Trice, OLB Washington
59. Houston Texans: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
60. Buffalo Bills: Cooper Beebe, iOL, Kansas State
61. Detroit Lions: Michael Hall Jr., DL, Ohio State
62. (TRADE) Las Vegas Raiders: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
*Baltimore Ravens receive pick 77 and 112
63. San Francisco 49ers: Jonah Elliss, OLB, Utah
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Devontez Walker, WR, UNC
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