The Arizona Cardinals will be picking early and often in the 2024 NFL Draft, and with so many picks, they may once again find immediate contributors in quite a few rounds. This year served as a prime example of what kind of eye general manager Monti Ossenfort has for talent, so whether it’s a first-round pick or a late-round pick, it’s safe to say they will bring value to the team.
Sure, a contingent of fans may not embrace all of Ossenfort’s roster transactions, as he made it clear that he will build through the NFL Draft. But the trade-off is simple: He will bring in young talent that could potentially stick around for quite some time.
This year, we saw Paris Johnson, BJ Ojulari, Garrett Williams, Michael Wilson, Dante Stills, and Kei’Trel Clark come into their own when healthy. They will continue to evolve, but given the number of holes still on the roster, there are quite a few players slated to be picked in the middle of the first round (and later) who could provide immediate reinforcement.
5 draft prospects who will immediately help the Cardinals
1 - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB/Alabama
Kool-Aid McKinstry can come in and immediately start at corner alongside Garrett Williams, who recently worked his way into a major role. Thanks to Williams’ early success and the fact he will have a full offseason of work heading into 2024, McKinstry likely won’t face pressure of being the No. 1 corner from the gate should the Cards draft him.
He also contrasts well from a size standpoint when compared to Williams, who stands at 5’10. So the Cards won’t have two smaller corners on the field if McKinstry makes it to the desert. There are other good fits like Nate Wiggins and Cooper DeJean, but if McKinstry is there when the Cardinals select again with their second pick in the first round, they need to roll with him.
Through Championship Week in college football, McKinstry has an 87.5 overall grade per PFF, plus an 86.0 coverage grade. He only has six pass deflections this season and 19 solo tackles, but don’t let the lack of production fool you. It’s clear that opponents haven’t been throwing his way as often in 2023.
2 - Xavier Legette, WR/South Carolina
While Marvin Harrison Jr. should go to the Arizona Cardinals if they keep a high draft pick, it doesn’t mean they need to stop with the Ohio State star. Xavier Leggette also gives the Cards a big target should they choose to select a second receiver in the early-to-middle rounds, or if Harrison is off the board.
Arizona, ideally, will run the ball more next season and throw only when necessary if they plan on keeping quarterback Kyler Murray around. For that, they need larger, more physical receivers who can block, but also receivers with the potential to go up and get passes.
We know Michael Wilson can, and we also know Harrison could if the latter ends up in Glendale. But so can the 6’3, 227-pound Leggette, who has 71 catches this season, 1,255 yards, seven touchdowns, and an astounding 17.7 yards per reception.
If the Cards couldn’t snag Harrison but opted for a player like Leggette, he could be just as effective. And if the Cards part ways with Marquise Brown, Leggette should provide an immediate upgrade.
3 - Mekhi Wingo, DL/LSU
Mekhi Wingo is one of several defensive linemen the Arizona Cardinals will consider in the 2024 draft thanks to the glaring need at the position. Dante Stills, Roy Lopez, Kevin Strong, and Jonathan Ledbetter could all figure to be long-term answers on the unit, but if 2023 showed us anything, serious depth is needed.
Wingo, though undersized at 6’1, 295 lbs, is also a player with a proven track record of doing more than just filling gaps and stopping the run. He has registered 11.0 tackles behind the line in his career, and 6.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
The Cardinals could also snag Wingo with one of their many third-round picks, and because of his size, there is also a chance he falls to Day 3. So even if they opt to roll with what they feel are more pressing needs on the first two days of the draft, the LSU product could still be there in the fourth round as a potential steal.
4 - Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB/Clemson
Kyzir White should return in time for the 2024 season, and Josh Woods is showing he can be rather serviceable at linebacker. But the Arizona Cardinals must re-sign Woods, along with Krys Barnes, if they intend on keeping the duo around.
Therefore, the Cards may need to add some depth to the position, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is a name with NFL bloodlines with the potential to step in and at least latch on as an immediate role player. The big board over at Tankathon has Trotter ranked 46th, and if that remains the case in April 2024, it means the Cards would need to use their second-round pick on a linebacker.
This would also likely mean skipping out on a guard or corner (should the Cards not take the latter with their second first-round pick), which may ultimately factor as more pressing needs. But if Trotter falls to the third round, Monti Ossenfort must seriously consider a kid who has 29.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at Clemson, 13.0 sacks, and two pick-sixes.
5 - Howard Cross III, DL/Notre Dame
Like Mekhi Wingo, Howard Cross III is smaller, listed at just 6’0, and between 275 and 280 lbs. However, if the Arizona Cardinals want a player on Day 3 of the 2024 draft with experience, as in 45 games worth, and a track record of consistent productivity that improved with each season, Cross is someone to look at.
2023 was his best year yet, with 64 combined tackles, six stops behind the line, plus a sack. Such experience and productivity are reminiscent of Dante Stills, which is what catapulted Cross onto this list. While it’s true Stills was more productive at invading the backfield, something he’s continued into his NFL career, Cross has been more consistent in racking them up, especially this season.
Career-wise, Cross has 139 total tackles, while Stills clocked in at 137. The latter also has 10 more games of experience. Even so, Cross has enough experience and production to perhaps foreshadow something close to a Stills-like performance should the Cards take him on Day 3.
(Statistics provided by College-Football-Reference and ESPN.com. Grades provided by PFF [subscription])