WHOA.
Now THIS would be a shock on the night of the 2024 NFL Draft or before: imagine if the Arizona Cardinals decide to trade QB Kyler Murray and take a new quarterback of the future.
In some NFL mock drafts, the Cardinals have traded down, or they stick at No. 4 to take a receiver. In our latest mock draft from Christian D’Andrea, he’s got them taking stud WR Marvin Harrison Jr. But in the new ESPN mock from former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum, he proposes the Cardinals trade Murray to the Minnesota Vikings (the Cards would get the No. 11 pick!) and take J.J. McCarthy. Wild!
Here’s his take:
Look, QB availability is crucial in today’s NFL — 66 passers started at least one game last season — and Kyler Murray hasn’t played a full season since 2020. I really like McCarthy’s long-term upside. The 21-year-old averaged 9 yards per attempt and completed 72.3% of his throws last season, and he bulked up to 219 pounds at the combine. In short, I think he’s a better, younger and more durable quarterback than Murray right now, and I’m not passing up this chance.
You might point to Murray’s contract (which includes $35.3 million guaranteed for 2024 and $29.9 million guaranteed for 2025), but teams routinely eat substantial dead money these days for a better opportunity at the position. And besides, I think the Cardinals could get a first-round pick back in exchange for him — stay tuned there, I might have something up my sleeve.
Fascinating! Make sure to check out the latest NFL mock draft from Christian D’Andrea and the updated 2024 NFL draft order.