With NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah releasing his first 2024 NFL mock draft … let’s take a look at who he has the Cardinals landing.
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The first of Arizona’s two first-round picks this year comes fourth overall. This is the team’s own pick resulting from their 4-13 season.
At fourth overall, Jeremiah has the Cardinals landing generational wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Ohio State product is the consensus WR1 in this year’s draft class.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Harrison has all the traits of a great NFL wide receiver and will be a nightmare for opposing NFL defenses right away.
Kyler Murray throws a beautiful back shoulder fade. Can you imagine his stock when #BirdGang selects Marvin Harrison Jr at 5
Kyler 🤝 Marvin 🚀🚀🚀
— Dynasty Dad (@DynastyDadFF) January 19, 2024
In 25 games starting for the Buckeyes over the last two seasons, Harrison totaled 144 receptions for 2532 yards and 29 touchdowns. This level of play helped lead the team to a 22-4 record through the last two seasons.
The Cardinals badly need a reliable receiving threat for Kyler Murray, especially with the uncertainty behind Marquise Brown. Harrison can immediately step in and be the team’s WR1, as well as one of the best receivers in the entire league.
MARVIN HARRISON JR ⚡️ TOUCHDOWN! @MarvHarrisonJr pic.twitter.com/ayBhfHIgiV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 9, 2023
If he does fall to No. 4, Arizona should take Harrison with no hesitation whatsoever.
Secondary Help
The Cardinals are in desperate need of secondary help. Outside of safeties Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker in most games, the secondary severely lacked consistency this past season.
Arizona’s second of their two first-round picks will range anywhere from #25-32 depending on the Houston Texans’ postseason results. Regardless, Jeremiah has the team taking Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Cooper DeJean.
In his first mock of NFL Draft SZN, Daniel Jeremiah had the Arizona Cardinals selecting Iowa DB Cooper DeJean 27th overall.
Opposing QBs only competed 43% of their passes against DeJean with a 37.8 passer rating.
pic.twitter.com/iDQnsrd2GW— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) January 19, 2024
DeJean played 23 games over the last two seasons for the Hawkeyes and showed great versatility. The South Dakota Native totaled 116 tackles, seven interceptions, and 13 pass deflections over that span. He also had three interceptions returned for a touchdown in 2022, which led all players in college football.
Iowa CB Cooper DeJean (@cdejean23) reached a max speed of nearly 20 mph on this punt return touchdown. #ReelAnalytics
🎥: @B1Gfootball
🔗 https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/A3XqnCrixr
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) October 2, 2023
The 20-year-old would fit right into this Cardinals’ defense from the jump. While he may go earlier in the draft, Arizona should strongly consider DeJean if available with their second pick of the first round.
Jeremiah’s Credibility
Jeremiah is the most trusted draft analyst and has been analyzing prospects for over two decades.
Before working at NFL Network, Jeremiah was a scout for the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens. It is safe to say that he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to evaluating prospects.
This is just the first mock he has done, as there will be at least two more posted by the time April comes along. The Cardinals have decisions to make in the next few months and Jeremiah’s rankings may very well play a role in that.
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Saleh Awwad is a writer/reporter covering Phoenix High School Sports, Arizona State Sun Devils, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @SalehAwwad_
