Should Cardinals double down on 1st-round wide receivers in consecutive drafts?

The Arizona Cardinals did what many wanted them to do in drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

This time around, though, adding a wide receiver in the first round of April’s draft may not be at the top of the majority of fans’ wish lists given needs elsewhere.

But if ESPN analyst and former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum had his way, bringing in another first-round pass catcher alongside Harrison and tight end Trey McBride would be the way to go.

That’s why he has Texas’ Matthew Golden heading to the Cardinals at No. 16 overall in his mock draft released Tuesday.

Despite adding Marvin Harrison Jr. in the top five last April, Arizona was 16th in passing yards per attempt (7.1) and tied for 20th in touchdown catches (21) last season. … Golden’s incredible timed speed (4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash) translates well to game play, and he is an excellent route runner with good hands. I think Golden has a chance to be a better pro than college player.

Golden, who NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has as his 15th-ranked prospect, is coming off an impressive first and final season at Texas behind 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns (all career highs).

Arizona State fans will likely also remember the 149 yards and one score he had in the Longhorns’ 39-31 double overtime win in the Peach Bowl over the Sun Devils.

He’s since improved his draft stock this offseason, highlighted by a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Draft Combine.

Matthew Golden OFFICIALLY ran a 4.29..

He had the FASTEST 40 Time amongst ALL WR’s in the 2025 Class

➖Height: 5’11
➖Weight: 191 lbs

Golden had a notable High Ankle Sprain in January, he MAY run faster at his Pro Day

➖10 Yard Split: 1.53 (9.05)
➖20 Yard Split: 2.54 (9.38) pic.twitter.com/TwR3Nw3hai

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 1, 2025

There’s no denying Golden’s abilities. But is adding a receiver — Golden or otherwise — the best use of Arizona’s first-round pick?

Despite a busy offseason that saw a couple of big-name additions in Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson, continuing to add to the trenches, especially on the offensive line side of things, should still be a big priority for the Cardinals this draft season.

While the defensive line and pass rusher rooms are looking pretty full, finding a guard or tackle of the future in the first round of the draft could do wonders for Arizona’s run-first offense.

Ohio State’s Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson and Alabama’s Tyler Booker come to mind as potential early round targets, as the pick at No. 16 overall or trade-down targets, are among the intriguing names that could be impact players sooner rather than later.

That being said, adding a speedy wide receiver to the room should be somewhere on the agenda. Just not in the first round of April’s draft.

Cardinals’ current makeup in the wide receivers room

Arizona’s wide receivers room is highlighted by Harrison, Michael Wilson and Zay Jones. Fan favorite and restricted free agent Greg Dortch was tendered by the team this offseason but has yet to sign.

Related

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?Cardinals land inside linebacker prospect in mock draft by The AthleticCardinals trade up 3 spots for offensive line help in recent NFL mock draftCould Cardinals still add to the D-line with their 1st-round pick?Could Tyler Booker's poor NFL Draft Combine benefit Cardinals?Questions about Carson Beck’s arm strength? OC Nathaniel Hackett doesn’t get it