The Arizona Cardinals have seen the first-round pick in 2024 they will receive from the Houston Texans from their draft-day trade last year drop each week recently.
Expected to be a top-five selection before the season, the Texans exceeded expectations, won 10 games in the regular season and made the playoffs with an AFC South division title.
Now, after winning their Wild Card game, they now face the Baltimore Ravens on the road in the divisional round.
Because they are in the divisional round, their pick will be no higher than in the range of Nos. 25-28.
Their pick, which belongs to Arizona, will be No. 25 if they lose to the Ravens and both the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their road games against the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.
Because of their 9-8 regular-season record, both the Packers and Bucs would have selections before the Texans’ pick if they lose this weekend.
If they lose, there is no way to be the 28th pick.
If the Texans beat the Ravens, the highest their pick would be is No. 29, which is where the pick will land if they beat the Ravens and lose in the AFC title game.
If they make it to the Super Bowl, they will have the 31st or 32nd pick.
The best draft combination this weekend in the playoffs for the Cardinals would be for the Texans to lose and both the Packers and Bucs to win.
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