With the first 18 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft set at the end of the regular season, the time for the NFL Draft for many fanbases has begun. Mock draft season is underway, with executives and fans hoping for their next up-and-coming superstar.
This mock draft will dive into the Arizona Cardinals, who will pick fourth after the team’s upset victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. This mock draft was constructed using the PFN Mock Draft Simulator.
Arizona Cardinals 2024 NFL Draft Picks
The Cardinals enter the 2024 NFL Draft with a plethora of picks to play with. Arizona is rich with draft capital, boasting two picks in the first round and 11 total selections in April.
- Round 1, Pick 4: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
- Round 1, Pick 21: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick 35: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
- Round 3, Pick 66: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
- Round 3, Pick 71: McKinley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
- Round 3, Pick 86: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
- Round 4, Pick 100: Isaiah Adams, OG, Illinois
- Round 5, Pick 131: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
* Since this mock draft was written, Riley returned to school for the 2024 college football season. - Round 5, Pick 151: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
- Round 6, Pick 170: Joshua Cephus, WR, UTSA
- Round 7, Pick 198: Jontrey Hunter, LB, Georgia State
Arizona Cardinals 7-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 4: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Cardinals are determined to build their future with QB Kyler Murray under center, but they need to add more talent around him to start winning. Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory and would take over the WR1 role in Arizona right away while serving as an elite playmaker right out of the gate.
Round 1, Pick 21: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Cardinals’ defense is sitting second in completion percentage allowed and in QB rating allowed, and their corner room has been picked on often this season. According to Sports Info Solutions, they are the worst pass defense in the NFL by EPA.
As such, grabbing a potential CB1 is a sensible move at the top of the draft. Kool-Aid McKinstry is a smooth, instinctive cornerback who would be the team’s top option right away.
Round 2, Pick 35: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
The Cardinals have been effective at generating sacks, but they’ve struggled to bring consistent pressure. They’ve also struggled with runs outside and keeping the edges secured.
Bralen Trice is a powerful, physical pass rusher with an incredibly hot motor on all reps. He would draw plenty of attention away from Arizona’s other pass rushers.
Round 3, Pick 66: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Arizona needs to add real playmaking to its linebacker unit because that group is a contender for the worst unit in the NFL. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. can be a plug-and-play MIKE linebacker for the Cardinals and free up Kyzir White from handling those duties.
Trotter brings a physical, tone-setting presence on the football field that should help clean up some of Arizona’s run-stopping issues.
Round 3, Pick 71: McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
Dante Stills has been a good addition to the Cardinals’ defensive line, but the team needs to be more disruptive up front, especially in the run game. While McKinnley Jackson didn’t quite capitalize on his upside this season, he has an NFL-made frame with his size and length and has all the tools to be an impact player up front.
Round 3, Pick 86: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
I’m projecting a bit here, but with D.J. Humphries’ time in Arizona seemingly over, it makes sense for the Cardinals to switch Paris Johnson Jr. back over to left tackle to replace Humphries, leaving the right tackle spot open.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Order
Roger Rosengarten is a tad underrated on that Washington offensive line, but he is a clean, strong right tackle prospect who could lock down the job and give the Cardinals a pair of young, talented bookends up front.
Round 4, Pick 100: Isaiah Adams, G, Illinois
Let’s put a pin in the revolving door the Cardinals have had at left guard all season and add a long-term solution.
Isaiah Adams has quickness that belies his size and has played guard and tackle in his career. He could slide right in at left guard and quickly help turn that left side into a position of strength.
Round 5, Pick 131: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Doubling down here at cornerback to continue shoring up the league’s worst passing defense seems pretty practical, given that the Cardinals also have Antonio Hamilton set to hit free agency.
Quincy Riley is a speedy cornerback prospect with good quickness, instincts, and ball skills and could start right away for the Cardinals.
Round 5, Pick 151: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
Since Kyler Murray’s return in Week 10, the Cardinals have been one of the heaviest 12- and 13-personnel teams in the NFL and have been pretty successful in those looks.
With Geoff Swaim set to hit free agency, the Cardinals nab a long-term running mate with Trey McBride in Tip Reiman.
Round 6, Pick 170: Joshua Cephus, WR, UTSA
The Cardinals already added Marvin Harrison Jr., but double-dipping at wide receiver with a height/weight/speed stud like Joshua Cephus isn’t a bad idea.
The 6’3″ Cephus is a great athlete and a proven vertical threat, giving Arizona a reliable big target outside.
Round 7, Pick 198: Jontrey Hunter, LB, Georgia State
The Cardinals should be aggressive in replenishing their linebacker room this offseason, so they select another linebacker here with their last selection in Georgia State’s Jontrey Hunter.
Hunter, a former safety, is a smooth operator in coverage and brings a ton of energy and athleticism with every snap.
