Cardinals Bolster Boundary in ESPN Mock Draft

The Arizona Cardinals add to their DB and WR rooms in ESPN's latest mock draft.
Cardinals Bolster Boundary in ESPN Mock Draft
Cardinals Bolster Boundary in ESPN Mock Draft /
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ARIZONA -- With just four weeks left in the 2023 regular season, we're rapidly approaching the official start of draft season for the Arizona Cardinals and their respective fans. 

It's been a tough year to endure for plenty of reasons, though 2024's offseason looks to be promising thanks to the lofty amount of cap space and draft capital Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has assembled. 

Part of that strong ammo is two first-round picks, one belonging to their own and the other from the Houston Texans.

In ESPN's latest mock draft, the Cardinals were able to snag some incredible young talent to balance both sides of the ball. 

No. 3: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State 

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) warms up prior to the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium.
Marvin Harrsion Jr. could very well propel Arizona's offense to new heights.  :: © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Matt Miller: "I believe the Cardinals will make the right decision here to build around quarterback Kyler Murray and draft an elite receiver prospect to be his running mate, rather than make a change under center. Murray has played well since returning from a torn ACL, and the Cards have receivers Marquise Brown and Greg Dortch both on expiring deals.

"Harrison is a magician at 6-foot-4 with fantastic body control and the fastest hands of any receiver in the draft class. He has the smooth and effortless route running ability -- plus the top-tier body control -- to quickly become one of the best players at the position in the NFL. He'd be the 10th receiver to ever get picked this high, per ESPN Stats & Information research."

No. 20 (via Houston): Kalen King, DB, Penn State

Penn State cornerback Kalen King (4) celebrates with Jaylen Reed (7) after intercepting a pass against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College. The Nittany Lions won, 35-16.
The Cardinals need a starting corner - is Kalen King the answer? :: © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Miller: "After adding Harrison at No. 3 to help boost the offense, I could see the Cardinals focusing on cornerback with their second first-rounder further down the board. King was rated higher by NFL scouts than former Penn State teammate Joey Porter Jr. (No. 33 in the 2023 draft), and while he isn't as physical as Porter, he has better timing and ball skills. 

"The Cardinals' pass defense -- which is allowing 7.0 yards per pass attempt, 26th in the NFL -- would improve with the feisty 5-foot-11, 191-pounder lined up outside. King has three interceptions and 19 pass breakups over his career."

Arizona has a total of six picks in the first three rounds, so it really feels like they can opt for any direction - especially considering the amount of holes on the roster. 

We'd say this is a pretty solid start, however.


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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for All Cardinals and Inside The Suns. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with Fan Nation since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!