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Full Cardinals Mock Draft With Superlatives
A full seven-round Arizona Cardinals mock draft with superlatives!
ARIZONA -- Welcome back to Mock Draft Monday!
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.
We’ll go ahead and hop right into this bad boy. I’ll see you in the superlatives! *Mock generated via PFF draft simulator*
Day 1 Picks
4. Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
27. Jer’Zhan Newton, Interior Defensive Line, Illinois
Day 2 Picks
35. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
66. Bralen Trice, Edge Rusher, Washington
71. Edgerrin Cooper, Linebacker, Mississippi State
90. Kamren Kinchens, Safety, Miami FL
Day 3 Picks
104. Sedrick Van Pran, Interior Offensive Line, Georgia
138. Braelon Allen, Running Back, Wisconsin
162. Tahj Washington, Wide Receiver, USC
186. LaDarius Henderson, Offensive Tackle, Michigan
226. 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.
Honorable mention: Kool-Aid McKinstry
Best Value: Jer’Zhan Newton
Harrison could’ve claimed this, too, but Newton is arguably the best defensive player in the draft class and the Cards landed him at 27.
Honorable mention: McKinstry
Biggest Sleeper: LaDarius Henderson
Between starting guard and tackle experience, do not be surprised to see Henderson get significant playing time this season and potentially start a slew of games.
Honorable mention: Tajh Washington
Most likely to start day one: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Plug-and-play. End of story.
Honorable mention: McKinstry
Most likely to earn a Pro Bowl: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Remember what I said about Harrison being arguably the best player in the draft? It may not take him long to be one of the best in the league.
Honorable mention: Sedrick Van Pran
Team Offensive Player of the Year: Harrison Jr.
Harrison walks into the season as a favorite across the league, let alone in the desert.
Honorable mention: Braelon Allen
Team Defensive Player of the Year: Edgerrin Cooper
Cooper may see a lot more playing time than we think and being a linebacker means he can record stats in far more ways than one. So, if you like box score numbers (just like I do) then there’s a good chance that Cooper steals your heart.
Honorable mention: Bralen Trice
Top Jersey Seller: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Fans love wide receivers. Fans love top draft picks. And fans love MHJ.
Honorable mention: McKinstry
