Cardinals Bolster Boundary in ESPN Mock Draft
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
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
The Cardinals need a starting corner - is Kalen King the answer?
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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.
