How Cardinals Can Claim No. 1 Pick

The Arizona Cardinals' chances are slim - though it can be done.

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals have just two weeks remaining on what has been a long - but needed - first year of a rebuild under head coach Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort in the desert.

The Cardinals have a plethora of draft picks and cap space moving into this offseason, as all eyes now focus on the 2024 NFL Draft order more than anything. 

According to ESPN's Seth Walder, here are the current odds for Arizona - currently picking at No. 2 with a 3-12 record - to land the No. 1 pick.

Bears via Panthers 96%
Cardinals 3%
Commanders <1%
Patriots <1%

So, you're saying there's a chance?

All other NFL teams not listed are mathematically eliminated from picking first overall. Chicago (by way of Carolina) currently sit with the No. 1 pick thanks to the Panthers' 2-13 record while the Commanders/Patriots are at 4-11. 

ESPN also gives Arizona a 96.9% chance to pick in the top five. The Cardinals could win out and reach as low as No. 7 in the pecking order. 

Two weeks left. #AZCardinals can pick as high as No. 1 and as low as No. 7 in the draft.

ESPN gives them just a 3% chance to get the top pick but nearly a 97% chance to remain in the top five.

Notable that they have the highest SOS of any team here - which is the 1st tiebreaker pic.twitter.com/01qaxePbOD

— Donnie Druin (@DonnieDruin) December 28, 2023

The Cardinals' path to the top pick is fairly simple: They need Carolina to win their remaining two games while Arizona drops their final two to end the 2023 season. 

The two sides can't finish with the same record since the Cardinals have the higher strength of schedule, which would push them underneath Carolina in the draft order.

The Panthers play the Jaguars and Buccaneers while Arizona faces Philadelphia and Seattle.