The NFL is a year-to-year business. Teams can go from worst to first in their division in just one season. With a class full of high-upside players, the Arizona Cardinals helped accelerate their rebuild with their recent draft.
The Arizona Cardinals Accelerated Their Rebuild With These Draft Picks
The Alpha Receiver
The Arizona Cardinals did the smart thing in the 2024 NFL Draft by picking the best player left on the board. Marvin Harrison Jr. comes to Arizona with lofty expectations after dominating at Ohio State and coming from a family of NFL royalty. The Cardinals are lacking a receiver with his polish and playmaking ability. Harrison Jr. has a chance to become a legacy player for the Cardinals, and even a Hall of Fame receiver when it’s all said and done. His presence immediately elevates the floor of Arizona’s offense and gives Kyler Murray a player who knows how to beat all types of coverage.
Marvin Harrison Jr. going against press. Catchable throws optional. pic.twitter.com/HEfus8ywCk
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) March 26, 2024
Last season at Ohio State, Harrison Jr. willed the Buckeyes offense to a win over Penn State and showed his toughness in a close win over Notre Dame. Harrison Jr. entered his final collegiate season with expectations to be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft and he lived up to those expectations with a highlight reel full of circus catches and flashes of greatness. In Harrison Jr., the Cardinals landed a player that has the potential to change a franchise.
Difference-Makers on Defense
The Cardinals went into 2023 with an extensive rebuild ahead of them. The organization underwent coaching and management changes and moved on from a few key players. Few expected Arizona to be competitive last season, especially down the stretch. Coaching made the difference though, and the team finished the season strong. By adding two difference-makers on defense, the Cardinals are closer to competing than remaining at the bottom of the NFC.
Darius Robinson was seen by many as a first-round prospect. The Missouri product received high marks from his teammates for his leadership. For a team looking for blue-chip talent and players to build the culture, Robinson was a home run for Arizona. His versatility along the defensive line gives Jonathan Gannon plenty of flexibility to find the best role for Robinson to make an impact. With time to acclimate and become a vocal leader, Robinson could become a cornerstone player for this franchise.
A glaring need for Arizona on defense was also in the secondary. By drafting Max Melton in the second round, the Cardinals filled that hole. The Rutgers product flashed an enticing combination of athleticism and ball skills. Melton’s brother Bo plays receiver for the Green Bay Packers and is coming off a strong 2023 season. While Max Melton has room to grow, his upside gives the Cardinals a potential fixture for their defense.
Swings on High Upside Players
Although James Conner has been an impactful player for the Cardinals, he has struggled to stay healthy. The team added another weapon in Trey Benson. At Florida State, Benson made his mark by running over defenders and busting off big runs. His blend of size, speed, and receiving ability gives the Cardinals another weapon for the offense. This is good news for a team that traded away Rondale Moore and recently moved on from Marquise Brown.
Running backs have recently been devalued in the NFL, causing players like Benson to fall in the draft. By taking a chance on a high-upside player like Benson, the Cardinals could have found a key contributor for the future. They took a similar approach in the fifth round by drafting Xavier Thomas. Coming into Clemson, Thomas was a highly-touted recruit who never lived up to his potential. Last season, Thomas showed flashes of greatness but the team is banking on his upside. If they hit on Thomas, this draft could be a banner class for Arizona that accelerates their rebuild.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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