Leading into the 2024 NFL Draft, no one yet knows just what the Arizona Cardinals plan to do with that no. 4 pick.
They could certainly stand pat.
They could also trade the pick for a tremendous haul.
In our latest mock, the Cards make a trade, yet somehow still end up with incredible value.
The Cardinals kick off this 2024 mock draft by trading with the New York Giants
After making a deal with New York, somehow, the Cardinals still have the chance at Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
In this mock, four quarterbacks went in the first four picks, and then the Los Angeles Chargers opted for Malik Nabers at no. 5 overall. That leaves the Cardinals still getting their shot at the best wide receiver in this draft class.
Kyler Murray gets a 6-foot-4 unicorn of a prospect who is as NFL-ready as any wide receiver has been over the last 20 years. Harrison is going to give this offense exactly what it's been missing since prime Larry Fitzgerald. Harrison is a bonafide superstar ready to take the NFL by storm, and Murray is going to love having him as the featured weapon in this offense.
There may not be a more polished, complete wide receiver to come out of college in the past two decades, and despite the Chargers taking Nabers beforehand, the Cardinals still got the best receiver in the draft, here.
Later in the first round at pick no. 27 (courtesy of the Houston Texans) the Cardinals land the best interior offensive lineman in this class, going with Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson. The Cardinals now have the center position locked down for several years to come, and continue building around Murray under center.
Powers-Johnson is an absolute mauler. He's good in both pass protection and run blocking, but this guy is not someone to mess with in a phone booth. In short spaces, he'll wreck opposing defensive linemen. He does not get beat often, but rather he's the one pounding his opposition into the ground until the whistle blows.
At pick no. 35 coming in the second round, the Cardinals were able to land another shocking value. Somehow, Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton fell out of the first round, allowing Arizona to get one of the best (if not the best) interior defenders in this class.
Newton comes into the league as an interior lineman, but he can move like a defensive end. He's going to be force against the run, no doubt. But, the 6-foot-2, 304-pound Newton will also wreck pass plays on a regular basis. This is a player who comes into each snap with a plan. He studies his opposition and knows how to best attack them. Newton is every bit of a first-round player, and the Cardinals are lucky to have gotten him here in the second.
In Round 3, the Cardinals find themselves a starting-caliber guard in Uconn standout Christian Haynes. Standing 6-foot-3, 317 pounds, Haynes has excellent size for a guard. More than anything, he brings a ton of experience (4-year starter) and plays a smart brand of football.
Interior linemen are often praised for their abilities in the run game, and Haynes is no different. He excels in run blocking. But, he is also stout in pass protection. He plays with a good base and doesn't get pushed off his anchor too often. As a third rounder, you can't do much better than finding a locked-and-loaded, starting guard like Haynes.
Arizona has four picks in the third round, and with the second of the four, they go with pass rusher Jonah Elliss out of Utah. He comes in a tad undersized at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds, but Elliss plays with an effort that's rarely matched. He's a guy you want out there on pass-specific downs, for sure. He's going to do everything within his power to get to the quarterback.
Elliss possesses a swift spin move and uses quick hands to outmatch opposing linemen. He wins with technique over anything else, but the effort he plays with certainly helps out.
Later in the third round, the Cardinals snag a starting-caliber offensive tackle that will come in and challenge for playing time right away. Notre Dame's Blake Fisher stands 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, bringing a prototypical frame for an NFL offensive tackle. He's able to move much better than most guys his size, especially in space. Getting out and up into the second level is something he does regularly and with ease.
Fisher isn't "fast" by any means, but the term "quick" comes into play here. He mirrors defensive linemen well because of his ability to flash quick footwork.
With their final pick in the third round, the Cardinals add some cornerback depth by selecting Wake Forest standout Caelen Carson. Standing six feet, 199 pounds, Carson has ideal size for an outside corner. He plays a physical brand and brings strength to the position, while he could afford to study a bit more and improve his instincts a bit.
Round 4 sees Arizona find another value pick, getting one of the more impressive linebackers in the class. Clemson's Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is of course the son of former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and legend Jeremiah Trotter Sr. And, he plays the game similarly. Trotter is labeled as being undersized, but the guy is all over the field. He's one of those linebackers who will be in on every play, no matter what. You'll see him near the football on almost every down. He's got a nose for the ball and plays with a relentless spirit.
With the first of two fifth-round picks, the Cardinals get a versatile offensive lineman out of Illinois, selecting Isaiah Adams. He has the ability to play either guard or tackle, but might fit better on the interior as a pro. Still, being able to provide flexibility to an offensive line searching for stability is a positive, here.
Later in the fifth, the Cardinals select a guy who has been climbing up draft boards as of late, in Holy Cross wide receiver Jalen Coker. He stands 6-foot-1, 208 pounds and possesses a ridiculous 42.5-inch vertical leap, giving his quarterback one heck of a catch radius. Coker's ball skills are impressive and he'll fight tooth and nail on 50/50 passes. As a Day 3 flier, Coker could surprise and eventually become an integral part of the offense.
It's James Conner's show for now, but when Conner is done, we have no idea who will take over. For that reason, the Cardinals try and find some more depth and value here in the sixth round by selecting Troy running back Kimani Vidal. He's a bit small, standing 5-foot-8, but brings the thunder. He's a physical back who will add productivity in the passing game as well.
Finally, the Cardinals go best player available with their seventh-round pick and select Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens. At the very least, his physical attributes are enough to take a shot on him. Owens is 6-foot-2, 216 pounds and brings great speed for his size. He has rare length and an ability to finish tackles all the way through. Owens can be a special teams standout, at the very least.