The Arizona Cardinals were active in trades in last year’s NFL draft. They traded back from the third overall pick, then moved back up from No. 12 to No. 6. They moved back in the second round of the draft.
A recent trade of draft picks involving the Minnesota Vikings could mean more early draft-day deals for the Cardinals in the 2024 NFL draft.
The Vikings traded their second-round pick (No. 42 overall), pick No. 188 (sixth-round pick) and a 2025 second-round selection to the Houston Texans for the No. 23 pick (Round 1) and No. 232 (Round 7).
That means the Vikings will have the 11th pick and 23rd pick in the draft, both in the first round.
They appear to be gearing up to move up from No. 11, targeting a quarterback.
Could they move up to No. 4, the pick the Cardinals have?
The top three quarterbacks in the draft are considered Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. Most expect those three players to go with the first three picks to the Bears, Commanders and Patriots (or anyone who trades up and swaps with one of those three teams).
The next tier of quarterbacks are J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix.
If the Vikings know they can’t get the top three but like McCarthy and are afraid a team like the Giants (who have the No. 6 pick), they could move up for him and that would involve the Cardinals.
In that scenario, the Cardinals could potentially have picks No. 11, No. 23, No. 27 and No. 35.
With a player like Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. seemingly right there as a perfect fit for the Cardinals at No. 4 overall, trading back this year is not nearly as attractive as it was last year.
The Cardinals are not the obvious choice as a trade partner, but it does increase the possibility.
It sounds like draft day is going to be a wild one.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=663415126]