NEWSLETTER
The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we’re putting together an Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft today. The Cardinals have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks and three third-round picks, giving them plenty of selections to build out their roster.
Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 4: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Let’s not overthink this one. The Cardinals need a true No. 1 wide receiver, and there hasn’t been a more promising prospect in the NFL Draft in decades. I considered trading back for about two-tenths of a second before I decided to make the selection. If Marvin Harrison Jr. is on the board at No. 4, he’s going to Arizona.
What the experts are saying:
“It can be difficult to discuss Harrison without sounding hyperbolic because he grades well above average in most areas. A tall, lean target with the long speed and short-area agility of a smaller player, Harrison displays controlled fluidity in his releases/routes, which allows him to create separation using complex breaks, stem angles, and subtle head/body fakes.
He has the uncanny ability to slow down the ball with his eyes, expand his catch radius, and frame the football to make low-percentage catches appear routine — similar to how Larry Fitzgerald used to excel.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Round 1, Pick 27: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
With a true No. 1 wide receiver in tow for Kyler Murray, we’re spending the Cardinal’s second first-rounder on protecting Murray long enough that he can get the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. Jackson Powers-Johnson is the consensus top center in the draft and truly a no-brainer for Arizona if he’s on the board at No. 27 next month.
What the experts are saying:
“Broadly built center prospect with below-average length but above-average upper-body power. Powers-Johnson isn’t much of a knee-bender, which impacts his pad level and drive leverage, but he can torque and toss opponents around with some regularity at the point. Powers-Johnson is a fierce competitor with a salty disposition but needs to improve his first-phase technique to create more consistent block sustains.
“Despite average athleticism, he doesn’t seem to have many issues in pass protection, as he works with clear eyes, a wide base, and good discipline to keep his weight back. His rookie season could be bumpy if he has to play early, but he should come out on the other side as a long-time starter.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Media
Round 2, Pick 35: EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama
Just eight picks later, the Cardinals are back on the board, and we’re going with an edge rusher here for Arizona in Alabama’s Chris Braswell.
What the experts are saying:
“After playing in the Tide’s “Cheetah” package in 2022, Braswell took over Will Anderson Jr.’s role in 2023 and led the SEC in pressures with 56, one ahead of Turner. Both as a pass rusher and run defender, he has a rugged, high-effort play demeanor and uses his aggressive reach/hands to bully blockers or set hard edges.
“Braswell has explosive flashes but often stalls out at the top of his rush and needs to expand the ways he can win as a pass rusher.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Round 3, Pick 66: G Christian Haynes, UConn
Arizona needed an interior offensive lineman, so we’re going with UConn guard Christian Haynes here. This pick gives the Cardinals a potential starting offensive line of Jonah Williams, Christian Haynes, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Will Hernandez, and Paris Johnson Jr., with Elijah Wilkinson and John Gaines II as depth pieces on the inside.
What the experts are saying:
“Just the third player in school history to be named an All-American, Haynes is assignment-oriented, both as a run and pass blocker. His toughness and torque will speak directly to NFL offensive line coaches. Although his athleticism is more adequate than great (especially out in space), Haynes moves with short-area agility and positions himself with balance. After his performance at the Senior Bowl, Haynes has a chance to be drafted on Day 2.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Round 3, Pick 71: WR Brendan Rice, USC
Marvin Harrison Jr. is an excellent upgrade to Arizona’s wide receiver room, but with their trio of third-round selections here we’re going back to the well to provide the Cards with some depth behind Harrison and Michael Wilson.
What the experts are saying:
“Understandably, it is hard living up to the expectations of being Jerry Rice’s son, but Brenden Rice has become more and more comfortable in his own skin over the years — and his Hall-of-Fame bloodlines are an obvious plus. Although his separation skills aren’t yet on an NFL level, Rice was a frequent visitor to the end zone in 2023 (he averaged a touchdown every 3.75 catches), and his budding route athleticism makes him a weapon.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Round 3, Pick 90: RB Bucky Irving, Oregon
Once again, we’re working on depth and the future here, with Arizona’s surplus of picks and getting one of the best running backs in the draft in Oregon’s Bucky Irving.
What the experts are saying:
“Compact and willful, Irving is deeply committed to each run his play-caller trusts him with. He punches above his weight class with excellent contact balance and leg drive to fight through tackles and squeeze every yard out of the run. However, Irving showed a concerning lack of explosiveness at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“He is frequently in a rush and would rather run through a wall than around it but he does have the agility to make tacklers miss with wide, lateral cuts when he runs with better patience. Irving isn’t ready for NFL protection duties and is a little tight as a route runner, but he catches the ball cleanly. Irving is missing ideal size and explosiveness, which could land him somewhere in the middle rounds of the draft as an average backup.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Media
Round 4, Pick 104: CB Max Melton, Rutgers
Arizona needs some help at cornerback, but I didn’t like the way the cornerbacks fell after the top tier came off the board early, so we’re going to attack that here with two picks on day three with some high-upside players, the first of which is Rutgers’ Max Melton.
What the experts are saying:
“Versatile inside/outside cornerback who displayed improvement every year at Rutgers. Melton carries good size and did a nice job staying with some of the better receiving options from the Big Ten. He’s adequate from press and has the burst to make up ground when he gets behind early. He’s at his best, however, when playing with his eyes forward from zone and searching for clues to jump in and make plays on the football.
“The ball skills can flip the field, and he’s very aggressive in collapsing the catch point. He’s capable in run support but needs to work on his angles of pursuit. His versatility, traits, instincts, and ball skills could make him an eventual starter and an early CB3/4.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Media
Round 5, Pick 138: CB Kalen King, Penn State
Kalen King had a disappointing final season at Penn State, but there’s plenty of upside to love at this point in the draft.
What the experts are saying:
“Cornerback is a volatile position, and King’s 2023 tape compared to 2022 exemplified that. His final season didn’t go as planned, most notably a tough afternoon against Marvin Harrison Jr. But he is a springy athlete with the tenacity and toughness you like to see at the position.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Round 5, Pick 162: DI Tyler Davis
With our second fifth-rounder we’re going with a day three interior defensive lineman that I really like to provide some depth in the trenches.
What the experts are saying:
“A fireplug nose tackle with a compact frame, Davis plays much stronger than his measurables might indicate. He lacks the pure mass teams covet along the interior but uses terrific strength and leverage to bow his neck and take on all comers. He’s usually first off the snap and first in with his hands, but the size and length of an NFL interior blocker could be challenging for him as he makes the step up in class. The physical limitations will make him less attractive earlier in the draft, but his motor and consistency in pressuring blockers should push him into snaps as a 4-3 nose.” – Lance Zeirlein, NFL Media
TRADE!
With nine players already selected, we’re flipping the final two picks to the Bears, who only have five picks and would like to get back on the clock.
Cardinals Receive
Bears Receive
