When it comes to the NFL Draft, it can make or break a team heading into training camp and the season. Each team has a strategy and will be looking to get the best outcome based on what the board gives them. We have seen teams who have hit on draft picks and we have also seen a lot of misses from various teams. Even last year, the Detroit Lions made a good amount of head-scratching moves with their draft with Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell but it panned out for Detroit as both players made a big impact and helped lead the Lions to the NFC Championship game.
For the NFC West, the Arizona Cardinals are looking up to the rest of the division and will be playing catch up. Arizona has 11 draft picks (tied for the most in the NFL) with six picks in the top 100. Monti Ossenfort has an opportunity to turn around the franchise. Last year, the Houston Texans immediately made a change for the better by getting their quarterback of the future in C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. The Texans became a playoff team after a couple years of dysfunction. The Cardinals already have a franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray so they don’t even need to worry about getting a play caller, just players to surround him with.
While the Cardinals can come out of this draft as winners, they could still easily be looking up to the rest of the division. The Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers are all expected to make a first round pick and add to their franchise. It is easy to say that while the Cardinals could add great talent, they could also be facing some serious talent depending on what the rest of the division does.
Here are four draft nightmare scenarios that should worry Cardinals fans.
4.) Seahawks draft QB Michael Penix Jr.
Seattle has the 16th pick in the first round and they could possibly be looking to add a future franchise quarterback. Being in the middle of the pack, the Seahawks are not near the bottom but need to fill a couple of holes on their roster. They have Geno Smith right now under center but he is coming near the end of his contract and the Seahawks are going to need to get another play caller who can be under center for the next 10-15 years. One intriguing quarterback prospect is Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. who is rising up draft boards for the first night of the draft.
If the Seahawks are able to draft Penix, he can learn from Geno Smith who revamped his career in Seattle and can take his rookie year to learn the system and step into an offense with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks would be able to go from one quarterback to another without any possible bumpy roads. Even though Penix will need some work, he would already have a great supporting crew and can step into a great situation.
3.) Rams trade back and gain extra draft capital
Believe it or not, the Los Angeles Rams are set to make their first round selection for the first time since 2016. They currently have the 19th overall pick after making the playoffs and coming up short against the Detroit Lions in the wild card round. Their offseason headline has been around the retirement of all-time great Aaron Donald, but the Rams are looking to build off of their success from last season after being projected to be near the bottom of the league.
Despite the Rams finally being able to pick in the first round, they have had success hitting on draft picks in the later rounds and that should scare Cardinals fans. In recent memory, the Rams have drafted a stud receiver in Puka Nacua (5th round draft pick), a bull runner in Kyren Williams (5th round pick), and possible Donald’s replacement in Kobie Turner (3rd round pick).
It is hard to imagine that the Rams trade out of the first round unless they get a future first round pick, but it doesn’t mean that they won’t trade out eventually to gain more draft capital. If it does happen, Cardinals fans should worry about the possibility of the Rams getting a late round impactful player who can disrupt the Cardinals on game day.
2.) 49ers add great defensive value
The defending NFC champions once again fell short of a world championship (to the Kansas City Chiefs for the second time since 2019-2020). However, they have recently dominated the NFC West and are the team to beat in the division. The Cardinals have lost four of the last six matchups (having not beaten the 49ers since 2021). Part of the reason why that has happened is because the 49ers’ defense has been one of the league’s top units in the sport. Led by All-Pro Nick Bosa and company, the 49ers have had their way with the Cardinals.
With losing the Super Bowl, the 49ers have the 31st overall pick and with this being a heavy offensive draft, there is a chance that defensive talent could be pushed down the board right into San Francisco’s lap. If the 49ers are able to add to their already dominant defense in this draft, it will allow them to continue to chase for a Super Bowl and take of business against the Cardinals once again.
1.) Cardinals miss out on Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers
This should be the obvious number one nightmare scenario for Arizona fans. There is a clear need for a receiver and this is the draft to get them. With having the 4th pick, the Cardinals have been in connection of potentially trading out of the pick. Unless they get an offer that is too good to pass up, Ossenfort needs to do the smart thing and draft Marvin Harrison Jr. who is arguably the best overall prospect in this draft. However, should Ossenfort make the move out of the 4th pick and lose out on Harrison, he has to find a way to somehow acquire LSU wideout Malik Nabers.
Long story short, if the Cardinals don’t get one of these receivers or even Rome Odunze, Ossenfort is going to have to answer a lot of questions regarding the Arizona offense. The Cardinals should not overthink this. They will definitely have the chance to get one of the two receivers no matter what.