Year two of the Ossenfort/Gannon era for the Arizona Cardinals is underway, and the biggest step in the offseason process, the 2024 NFL Draft started yesterday with the first round. The Arizona Cardinals had a 4-13 in 2023, however, once Kyler Murray returned to the lineup, the Cardinals finished the season 3-5. Despite the poor record, there is positive momentum coming out of the desert as the new culture centered around competitiveness, and toughness, is apparent under head coach Jonathan Gannon.
The Arizona Cardinals Select Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr
Pick: Round 1 Pick 4
Grade: A+
The Arizona Cardinals stepped up to the plate with a home run right in front of them, and hit it out of the park, by selecting Ohio State’s sensational wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Despite rumors that the Cardinals would trade down to stockpile draft picks, they remained at the fourth pick and selected the best non-quarterback in this year’s draft.
Perhaps the biggest positional need for the Arizona Cardinals was at wide receiver after the departure of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. The Cardinals added depth to their receiver room in free agency bringing in Chris Moore from the Tennessee Titans, but that was not a needle mover.
Marvin Harrison Jr also fits the direction of big, physical athletes that the Cardinals are seemingly focusing on under coach Gannon. MHJ joins a receiver room with Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and Zach Pascal, where he will be the day one starter on the outside and look to make an immediate impact.
With the expectation that the Cardinals will continue their commitment to establish the run with 1000-yard rusher James Conner in the backfield, Harrison Jr will add an elite vertical threat to the offense. We saw Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray excel in the play-action game last year, and MHJ’s big play ability will create the explosive shots, Gannon so famously wants in this offense.
The Arizona Cardinals Select EDGE Darius Robinson
Pick: Round 1 Pick 27
Grade: B+
Adding to another positional need the Arizona Cardinals selected edge defender Darius Robinson out of the University of Missouri. Playing in a division with Matthew Stafford, Brock Purdy, and Geno Smith, your defense needs to generate pressure and make these quarterbacks uncomfortable.
The Cardinals spent the free agency period addressing the interior of their defensive line but didn’t make much noise on the edge. In 2023 the Cardinals saw flashes of great play out on the edge of their defense but struggled to establish some consistency. Robinson will add a lot of versatility to that group as he has displayed the ability to play as a standup edge defender and also put his hand in the dirt and play in the interior on the defensive line.
Under general manager Monti Ossenfort, adding size and athleticism remains a priority for the Redbirds. Measuring in at 6’5 296 pounds, Robinson certainly fits that bill. Robinson clocked in a 4.95 40-yard dash, and 35″ inch vertical jump at the 2024 NFL Combine.
In the past, we have seen edge defenders burst on to seen under coach Gannon, especially in Philadelphia with outside linebacker Haason Reddick. Darius Robinson will compete for a starting position on the edge on day one and will look to be the next great Arizona Cardinals pass rusher.
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