The 2024 NFL Draft officially begins on Apr. 25, and the Arizona Cardinals have a vast amount of options at their disposal with two first-round picks.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!At the No. 4 spot, they have the chance to draft a potential superstar like Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison or USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
Mock drafts vary widely in predicting who Arizona will choose, adding to the suspense.
With the first overall pick, the Chicago Bears have the chance to draft anyone available. From there, the New England Patriots are second before the Washington Commanders will be on the clock in third.
Out of the highly-touted names who are entering this year’s draft, Harrison is being the one circled by Cardinals fans and multiple analysts who think he will be heading to the desert.
Wide receiver is one major position that Arizona needs reinforcements in and the draft will be a perfect way to add.
Last season, the Cardinals were 26th in the NFL for receiving yards (3,430) and 24th in receiving touchdowns (18).
Say that Harrison is off the board and they go for another player in another position, what can the Cards do?
Well, out of all the receivers projected to be drafted in the first or second round, Arizona could look to local product Ricky Pearsall with their other first-round pick, No. 27.
Homecoming in the Valley?
Pearsall, 23, completed his fifth and final year of college football for at the University of Florida.
Before transferring to the Gators in 2022, the Chandler native spent three seasons (2019-2021) at ASU and went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe.
Nov 27, 2021; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (19) runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In 30 games as a Sun Devil, Pearsall amassed 61 receptions for 794 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
He would then go to Florida, and exercise his fifth year option of college eligibility. In total, he accumulated 2,673 scrimmage yards and 19 touchdowns during his time between ASU and the Gators.
Known for his versatility, hand-eye coordination and football IQ, Pearsall is projected to be an early second-round pick in this year’s draft.
Showcasing his bag of skills, experience and tricks on a massive stage, Pearsall participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl practices last week.
If the Cardinals want to reach for the fences and formulate a homecoming by selecting Pearsall, his career would come full circle by him playing high school, college and in the NFL in the Valley.
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Alec Cipollini covers the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
