With the Arizona Cardinals’ season coming to an end and their chances of the playoffs dwindling each week, their fanbase are more anticipated for what next season has in store ahead.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Of course, Super Bowl LVIII still has to be played out, but the 2024 NFL Draft is something that should be circled on every Cardinals supporter’s calendars.
When looking at mock drafts and where Arizona will make their selection, the general consensus is that they will get the No. 3 pick.
However, the New England Patriots and Cardinals are tied with both having 3-10 records.
If Arizona continues to lose and New England win one more game this season, they can get the second choice in the draft.
As a plot twist, if the Cardinals get a fourth win, that would open up the possibility that they could move down as far as No. 8.
Say they do end up with the third overall pick, who do they go with?
Options
The Cardinals have quarterback Kyler Murray, and may consider another option in that position with how talented the top-two prospects are.
Looking at other draft experts’ lists, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and University of Southern California’s Caleb Williams are going either No. 1 and 2.
Does Arizona need another QB?
Not really unless they find another team that would take on Murray’s five-year, $230.5 million contract, with $160 million of it being a guarantee.
Also, what will the Chicago Bears and Patriots do with their picks if the draft was today?
It is a serious question to think about because there always surprise selections in the draft.
While it is fair to say if Ohio State University’s Marvin Harrison Jr. falls to No. 3, Arizona will snatch him. Harrison Jr. has not made a decision whether he will enter the draft this year or remain in college.
But, the Bears are in similar predicament like the Cardinals as they have quarterback Justin Fields already.
Difficult choices are ahead for Chicago with what they are going to do since Harrison Jr. would slot right into their lineup.
On the other hand, the Patriots have more questions than answers at the QB position. With Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe both not destined to be franchise quarterbacks, either Maye or Williams could fit the bill.
Verdict
Say that one of Williams or Maye are available and Harrison Jr. was already selected, the Cardinals should consider selecting Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.Â
Yes, skipping out on Williams or Maye could be a costly mistake, but riding it out with Murray and seeing what happens is the most logical decision.
Furthermore, Arizona already have last year’s No. 6 pick Paris Johnson Jr. already blossoming into an impact player for the foreseeable future.
Since D.J. Humphries’ performances this year can be up for debate, Fashanu could slot in as yet another elite protecter on the offensive line for Murray.
Fashanu protected his quarterbacks from a sack in 382 pass-blocking snaps during 2023, was a First-Team All-American and the Big 10 Conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Standing at 6’6,” and 317 lbs., Fashanu would add more size and strength for Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s playbook.
A 1-2 punch between Johnson Jr. and Fashanu could very well set up the Cardinals for the future.
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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
