ARIZONA CARDINALS

This NFL mock draft has Cardinals making 3 trades before the 1st round is over

Mar 29, 2024, 11:59 AM

Washington receiver Rome Odunze...

Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies reacts during the first half against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort looked like a technician in his first NFL Draft — and it’s not just because the team-produced video made him look good.

It took more than a text or two for the then-first-year GM to move from the third overall pick, to 12th and then back up to sixth. Now with the fourth overall pick in 2024, there’s a possibility to do the down-and-up again if the Cardinals aren’t sold on Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. or if he’s not still on the board.

NFL.com’s Eric Edholm in his second mock draft has Arizona trading with the Minnesota Vikings and their No. 11 pick and then back up to No. 8 in a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

It allows Minnesota to take quarterback Drake Maye as the fourth quarterback in the first four picks.

For Arizona, it means jumping ahead of the Chicago Bears’ second first-round pick after they draft Caleb Williams first overall. That would help ensure the Cardinals can grab a receiver, and in this mock draft that’s Washington product Rome Odunze.

A year ago, GM Monti Ossenfort moved from No. 3 overall down to 12, then back up to 6 to acquire a much-needed bookend blocker (Paris Johnson Jr.). In this simulation, he pulls off a similar trick to target another big need: wide receiver. Jumping ahead of the Bears is the key here. Kyler Murray gets a promising WR1 candidate in Odunze, whom Daniel Jeremiah has compared to Larry Fitzgerald.

Arizona’s original trade with the Vikings also nets the Cardinals the No. 23 pick, which in the real world has been passed from Cleveland to Houston and then Minnesota.

In the mock world, Arizona selects Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean. From Edholm:

The second first-rounder Arizona would receive in my mock trade from above could be used on defensive help. Jonathan Gannon would love to add a multi-use piece in the secondary such as DeJean, who also could give the punt-return unit some juice. DeJean’s season-ending injury means he won’t work out until April 15, which leaves his projection a bit unclear right now.

Before we go, the Cardinals aren’t done moving and shaking in Edholm’s first-round mock.

They already own the 27th pick after the trade with Houston from last year’s No. 3 pick, and this time Arizona deals that to the Washington Commanders for a pair of early second-round picks at No. 36 and No. 40 overall.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

4 hours ago

Chiefs Eagles...

Associated Press

Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl 3-peat with dominant defense in rout

The Chiefs didn't come close to completing their 3-peat, as the Eagles' dominant defense led Philadelphia to a rout and Super Bowl victory.

17 hours ago

Cooper DeJean...

Damon Allred

Eagles stun Chiefs with pick-6, shutout first half in Super Bowl

Cooper DeJean had more yards on his pick-six than Patrick Mahomes had to his own team as the Philadelphia Eagles blitzed the Kansas City Chiefs to a shutout first half.

19 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers...

Associated Press

Jets tell Aaron Rodgers they’re ‘moving on’ from the QB for next season, report says

Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating whether to continue his playing career. If he does, it appears it won’t be with the New York Jets.

21 hours ago

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

1 day ago

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday...

Associated Press

Eagles’ Super Bowl path paved by prowess of their offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

1 day ago

This NFL mock draft has Cardinals making 3 trades before the 1st round is over