Analyst: Cardinals Will Regret Not Drafting WR

The Arizona Cardinals must walk out of the first round with a wide receiver.

ARIZONA -- It's no secret the Arizona Cardinals need a top-flight wide receiver entering the 2024 NFL Draft.

After losing Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore during the offseason, the Cardinals enter next week's draft with just Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch at the top of the depth chart.

With the No. 4 pick at their disposal, the Cardinals will likely have their choice of wide receiver when they're on the clock.

Arizona's been heavily involved in trade talks, however. The Cardinals could indeed cash in on a quarterback-needy team looking to move up.

Bleacher Report says the Cardinals simply can't afford to pass on a top wideout:

"Whether the Arizona Cardinals select a wide receiver with the fourth pick or move down in the first round, they must draft one early on Day 1," wrote Maurice Moton.

"The Cardinals have let everyone know they're firmly behind Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback. While that message sounds clear, they need to follow up with appropriate action to support him.

"They lost wideout Marquise Brown in free agency and traded slot receiver Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons.

"Entering the draft, second-year pro Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch lead the receiver depth chart, though third-year tight end Trey McBride is easily the team's best pass-catcher.

"Murray is not too far removed from a torn ACL. To elevate Arizona's offense, he would have to do a lot with a bottom-tier pass-catching group, and that could lead to disaster.

"If the Cardinals stay in the fourth spot, they should select Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 1 prospect in Bleacher Report's latest big board rankings.

"If Arizona trades down a few or more spots, Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and Brian Thomas Jr. could be options. Any one of those receivers would be a significant upgrade for its aerial attack, and one of them should be on the team's roster by the end of the first round."

It truly feels like the Cardinals can't afford to let a top wideout slip, as the biggest apparent need for Arizona is a legitimate weapon for Kyler Murray.

It also feels unlikely Ossenfort will let that happen, as the Cardinals have shown strong interest in numerous top wide receivers in their pre-draft visits.

We'll see how the chips fall on draft day.