Full Cardinals Mock Draft With Superlatives

April 9, 2024 Matthew Adasho Sports 0

A full seven-round Arizona Cardinals mock draft with superlatives!

On this week’s edition, we have ourselves a full seven-rounder for our Arizona Cardinals with a fun addition at the end in the form of superlatives! These will vary from titles like best pick, best value, biggest sleeper, and more.

Day 1 Picks

  1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
  2. Jer’Zhan Newton, Interior Defensive Line, Illinois

Day 2 Picks

  1. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
  2. Bralen Trice, Edge Rusher, Washington
  3. Edgerrin Cooper, Linebacker, Mississippi State
  4. Kamren Kinchens, Safety, Miami FL

Day 3 Picks

  1. Sedrick Van Pran, Interior Offensive Line, Georgia
  2. Braelon Allen, Running Back, Wisconsin
  3. Tahj Washington, Wide Receiver, USC
  4. LaDarius Henderson, Offensive Tackle, Michigan
  5. C.J. Hanson, Interior Offensive Line, Holy Cross

We’ll start with the cream of the crop and that’s Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick. I am buying the hype that MHJ will be a Cardinal by the end of the first round, whether that is with the fourth pick or some miraculous “Draft Day” trade up including David Putney (extra points if you get the movie reference).

However it happens, I am betting MHJ stays in a red and white uniform, but he’ll have to discuss with BJ Ojulari if he can inherit his #18 jersey.

Next up we have Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. The value here is insane for a player who is seen being picked as high as the top-15 and as low as the top of the second. I favor the former for where he should go, but if he does slip then the Cards would be wise to snatch him up even if that’s via trade up.

At the top of the second round is a player many, myself included, had as a potential top-five pick entering the 2023 season, but didn’t live up to the hype. Nonetheless, McKinstry is still a wildly talented player that the Cards will happily swoop up to give the team a much-needed upgrade at corner.

Following, the hometown kid returns to the valley and instantly becomes a huge factor in the pass rush. Trice had great production at Washington and will plug right in this pass rush. Even in a rotational role, he and the aforementioned Ojulari make for a young and exciting duo.

Next up is a sort of luxury pick in Cooper. Yes, the Cardinals have Kyzir White and signed Mack Wilson, but it’s important to remember that this is more of a pick for the future rather than the present. White is a free agent after this season and is coming off a major injury. Wilson is a great chess piece who can do many things. With Cooper you get an athletic sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can captain the defense.

Speaking of picks for the future, that’s exactly what Kinchens is. The Cardinals have two great safeties on the roster with Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson, but it’s unlikely that Baker is back after this season. Plus, the team can move on from Thompson to save some money. Meanwhile, Kinchens is a turnover machine with 11 interceptions over the last two seasons. Easy player to stash for 2024 and then move to a starting role in 2025.

Now that we’ve added defensive talent at every level of the defense, it’s time to go back to the offensive side of the football. We’ve added MHJ to the receiving corps, but the Cards must continue investing into their offensive line. Van Pran is being overlooked right now and could end up being a great value pick as a plug-and-play center.

James Conner remains great, but he’s much closer to 30 than he is 20. Arizona needs a true successor and Allen looks the part in more ways than one. Allen is another big bully type runner who beats up defenses. I can’t think of a more perfect heir to Conner than Allen.

Another good value pick, Washington was a huge factor for Caleb Williams and USC’s offense the last two seasons. While he isn’t the most mind-blowing receiver in this draft, he’s more than capable of being a number three guy. With MHJ and Michael Wilson going into year two, the fit for Washington feels natural.

With the last two picks, the Cardinals will add offensive line depth. Henderson has played both guard and tackle between his time at Arizona State and Michigan. Hanson has become a late-round favorite for some and the need to add bodies wins me over.

Superlative Time

Best Pick: Marvin Harrison Jr.

When you land arguably the draft’s top player at a pick other than first overall it’s difficult to argue there is a better pick.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*