Analysts: Cardinals Should Trade Down in NFL Draft

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals currently own the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and you'll find a variety of opinions on what the team should do when they're on the clock.

As of now, it's widely accepted that Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. would be the best player available, should he be on the board.

Yet with so many holes on the roster, many have advocated that the Cardinals should trade back in order to continue collecting more draft capital:

From ESPN's Aaron Schatz:

"A lot of mock drafts have the Cardinals selecting Harrison at No. 4 overall, based on the idea that the top three teams will likely draft quarterbacks. It makes a lot of sense when you look at the Cardinals' roster, especially if Marquise Brown leaves in free agency. But the bolder move is to trade down, add more draft picks and do more to rebuild the defense.

"Analysis of past drafts makes it clear that while the fourth overall pick is more likely to be a star than the players drafted later in the first round, the combined value of later-round picks in a draft trade is often higher than the value of a first-round pick that is given up.

"The Cardinals already have two first-round picks thanks to last year's trade with Houston, and perhaps they could flip the fourth overall pick for either two first-round picks or a first-round pick and a second-round pick plus some future picks. With the extra picks, the Cardinals could completely rebuild their defense, which ranked dead last in the NFL in DVOA this past season. The Cardinals could use an edge rusher, an interior lineman and a cornerback. By dealing the fourth overall pick, they could probably grab all three in the first two rounds."

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox added to that:

"Arizona traded down from No. 3 last year before trading back up to No. 6 (from No. 12) to take offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., adding a 2024 first-round pick in the process.

"Making a similar deal this year could allow general manager Monti Ossenfort to add another future first-rounder to his draft stash while still landing elite talent this year.

"If he's available, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be very tempting at No. 4, but adding a receiver like LSU's Malik Nabers and more premium picks could be even more beneficial for Arizona.

"Ideally, the Cardinals wouldn't trade back far—perhaps a deal with the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8—allowing them to keep a top-10 selection to pair with the 27th overall pick."

Recently, NFL Draft insider Daniel Jeremiah discussed what the Cardinals should do with both of their first-round picks:

Analysts: Cardinals Should Trade Down in NFL Draft

Insider Reveals What Cardinals Should Do With First Pick

Cardinals Should Entertain Trading Down in Draft, Per Insider