Arizona Cardinals Draft Targets: Wide Receiver
ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals appeared late last season to be in dire need of a No. 1 wide receiver. The games where Marquise Brown (though not 100%), Greg Dortch and Rondale Moore were the top three were a bit rough for Arizona fans to watch.
Despite the fact that two of the above three are gone, Arizona's remake of the position is not done, and they will make the next big step to remake the room in the upcoming 2024 draft.
Here are some players they could pick at the wideout position, keeping their current selections in mind:
Round 1, Pick 4
- Marvin Harrison Jr
- Rome Odunze
- Malik Nabers
Analysis: Marvin Harrison Jr does not need much introduction to Cardinals fans, many of whom hope he is the second coming of Larry Fitzgerald.
If for some reason, he is off the board, Rome Odunze would make the most sense given what Arizona likes to have at their wide receivers - size and good character. This is not to say that Malik Nabers is not those things, but it would seem that Odunze is the better fit (Odunze has also drawn stylistic comparisons to Fitzgerald ironically) for what Arizona needs on offense right now.
Round 1, Pick 27
- Brian Thomas Jr
- Adonai Mitchell
Analysis: Of the three listed above, the most likely candidate for Arizona to pick is Adonai Mitchell, who reminds some draft pundits of CeeDee Lamb. That might be attractive to Kyler Murray, who apparently really wanted Lamb coming out of Oklahoma.
Brian Thomas Jr would be a fantastic pick as well, but he is likely to be gone by pick 27. However, with all the very recent chatter about Arizona trading back (likely with Minnesota), it's possible that Thomas could be plan B if they do so.
In the off chance he is there at pick 27, and Arizona has yet to draft a receiver, they should not hesitate to take him.
Round 2, Pick 35
- Troy Franklin
- Xavier Legette
Analysis: Of all of the Cardinals draft picks, this one seems to be the least likely where Arizona may select a wide receiver. If they do end up picking one at 35, it would likely be Troy Franklin versus Xavier Legette.
It's an interesting argument too as Franklin had more consistent production (891 yards in 2022 and 1383 yards in 2023), whereas Legette has the better frame (at 220 pounds) and huge upside after a big 2023. There is some caution with Legette, who did not do much in the way of production before this past season.
Round 3, Picks 66, 71 or 90
- Brenden Rice
- Ricky Pearsall
- Ja'Lynn Polk
- Jalen McMillan
- Javon Baker
- Malachi Corley
- Johnny Wilson
- Jamari Thrash
Analysis: There is a wealth of receivers in this draft and it would not be shocking in the least to see Arizona double dip. However, with the emphasis on the line of scrimmage and with needs everywhere it may not be in Round 3.
Some of the above wideouts may not be there when Pick 66 comes around (especially Pearsall, an Arizona native who has risen quite a bit through the pre draft process).
Arizona did spend a top 30 visit on Brenden Rice already. Rice would make a ton of sense as an immediate number 4, especially if they do not draft one with pick 4 (or, again, should they trade back). It would also be pretty neat to have Jerry Rice's son!
If they want to draft a deep threat, Jamari Thrash would also make some sense.
Malachi Corley might too given the route tree that the released Rondale Moore ran, as Corley has in particular has some major run after the catch abilities:
In fact, with Harrison and Corley, the Cardinals staff could probably run some 49ers concepts similar to Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
Day 3
- Luke McCaffrey
- Cornelius Johnson
- Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
- De'Corian Clark
- Josh Cephus
- Hayden Hatten
Analysis: If there is a day that Arizona is most likely to double dip, it would likely be on Day 3. Cornelius Johnson in particular appears to be a sleeper at the position. He was at the Shrine Bowl where the Cardinals had some of the coaches on staff. He would be a great day three selection - that is if his college coach (the Chargers' Jim Harbaugh) doesn't take him first.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Josh Cephus are the other two interesting names that show either solid production (Cephus) or good traits (Rosemy-Jacksaint).
Prediction: Arizona will likely take a WR at No. 4 or in Round 1 (if they do trade back) and will take another one with one of their 11 draft picks to develop into a long term No. 2/3 receiver and/or for special teams purposes.
If I had to go on the record, I would say Harrison and one of Johnson, Cephus, or Rosemy-Jacksaint.
