After going 4-13 for the second straight season, the Arizona Cardinals need to hit on their 2024 NFL Draft picks. Who did they select, and what are the Cardinals’ 2024 NFL Draft grades?
Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 4: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Kyler Murray gets a new No. 1. The Cardinals entered the draft with Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal, and Chris Moore as their leading receivers; there was no doubt what position they would target at No. 4 overall.
One of the best WR prospects in recent memory is heading to the desert❗️#BirdGang | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/9cZH2haVx1
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
It also helps that Marvin Harrison Jr. is arguably the best overall prospect in the draft.
Grade: A
Round 1, Pick 27 (From HOU): Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
After addressing their biggest offensive need at No. 4, Arizona dipped into the defensive pool with its second first-rounder. Johnny Newton and Cooper DeJean were still on the board, but Darius Robinson is an impressive prospect in his own right.
Darius Robinson's versatility makes him a true wild card for the Cardinals' defensive line. #MIZ🐯 | #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/iBAzuwrurW
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
He can line up anywhere on the defensive line with immense power capacity. If the Cardinals can develop his hand usage and footwork, Robinson could be the DL presence they’ve longed for.
Grade: B-
Round 2, Pick 43: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Outside of Byron Murphy, the Cardinals had question marks at corner. They addressed the issue by taking Max Melton in Round 2 — a CB who can start from inside or outside on Day 1.
Max Melton, a productive playmaker with @RFootball, brings an NFL bloodline and elite physical tools. #CHOP | #BIRDGANG pic.twitter.com/nSVI9Kzy9V
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 27, 2024
Melton’s ball skills are apparent, and he can stick with receivers of any size or credence.
Grade: B+
Round 3, Pick 66: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
The Cardinals needed a long-term workhorse back, and they got just that in Trey Benson. He can churn yardage between the tackles but also has the burst to break runs outside.
Benson’s speed was on display in Tallahassee in 2023, more so than any other player in the country. Thanks to ball-tracking software from our friends at RAnalytics, Benson was the only player in college football to hit 21.0 mph or higher on three different occasions in 2023.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 71: Isaiah Adams, OL, Illinois
Isaiah Adams played tackle for Illinois in 2023 but will likely move inside for Arizona. With UConn’s Christian Haynes still available, it’s difficult to see why the Cardinals selected Adams, but he is an imposing blocker with functional mobility in his own right.
Grade: C+
Round 3, Pick 82: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
Tip Reiman may not believe in birds, but the Cardinals believe in him. Although Trey McBride is the TE1, Reiman allows Arizona to run more two-TE sets and can be utilized as an H-back as well. He’s a mauler in the run game to boot.
Is that role worth a top-100 pick? Maybe not, but he is still a talented player.
Grade: B-
Round 3, Pick 90: Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
Elijah Jones provides yet another body in the secondary, and he could battle Garrett Williams for snaps in the slot or work outside, depending on where Melton ends up. With two Day 2 selections, Arizona’s corner room is no longer bereft of talent.
The nickel is a starting position in today’s NFL and Jones comes fully equipped with positional versatility to start inside right away.
Grade: B-
Round 4, Pick 104: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, CB, Texas Tech
After acing the first two days of the draft, the Cardinals kick off Day 3 with yet another talented player in Dadrion Taylor-Demerson. His versatility will fit perfectly into a completely rebuilt secondary.
Grade: A
Round 5, Pick 138: Xavier Thomas, EDGE, Clemson
Xavier Thomas is an older prospect with an on-and-off motor, but when he is at his best, he can generate pressure in a heartbeat.
Grade: B-
Round 5, Pick 162: Christian Jones, OT, Texas
Paris Johnson Jr. is the future at right tackle, but Jonah Williams is a stopgap at LT.
While Christian Jones’ lack of mobility is likely what saw him fall further than some expected, he has the power to develop on the blindside.
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 191:Tejhaun Palmer, WR, UAB
MHJ is the WR1 in Arizona, but there is room for depth behind him.
At nearly 6’2” and 210 pounds with 34” arms, Tejhuan Palmer has the tools to mold into a legitimate weapon on the outside – he just needs time to develop.
Grade: B
Round 7, Pick 226: Jaden Davis, CB, Miami
This late in the draft, teams are looking for end-of-roster contributors. Jaden Davis has five years of special teams experience and can grow into a rotational slot defender.
Grade: B-
Arizona Cardinals 2024 NFL Draft Summary
Not only did the Cardinals have a massive haul of 12 picks, but they also hit on most of their selections.
KEEP READING: Cardinals UDFA Signings and Rookie Camp Invites
MHJ and Darius Robinson are the biggest names, but Arizona refilled their talent pool and all their positions of need.
Overall Grade: A