How the 49ers Stack Up with the Cardinals Heading into the NFL Draft

Of all the teams in the NFC West, the Cardinals could make the largest leap this season.

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Ariz, United States; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY

The 49ers have been the class of the NFC West for the past couple seasons. Let's see where they stack up with their division rivals one week ahead of the NFL Draft.

The Cardinals seem like they're still a year away.

Their record was 4-13 last season, their defense stinks and they have zero wide receivers other teams would want. They're rebuilding. But they have a quarterback in Kyler Murray who is more physically gifted than Brock Purdy. And they have pick nos. 4, 27 and 35 in the upcoming draft. So they could turn their team around quickly if they draft well.

Lots of draft experts expect the Cardinals to take wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. Harrison Jr. might be the best player in the entire draft -- he should elevate Murray's game significantly. And then the Cardinals can spend their next two picks on pass rushers.

They already have a good offensive line, a good running back and a good tight end. If they get a good wide receiver, their offense should be dangerous if Murray stays healthy. And if head coach Jonathan Gannon, who has a defensive background, can get the defense to improve, the Cardinals should be a young team on the rise.

Gannon in particular seems like a quality coach, as opposed to his predecessor, Kliff Kingsbury, who had no freaking clue what he was doing.

Of all the teams in the NFC West, the Cardinals could make the largest leap this season. Watch out for them.