Revenge of the Birds
Which ESPN writer is more on the money about the Cardinals draft approach, Josh Weinfuss or Matt Miller?
Picks: Nos. 16, 47, 78, 115, 152, 225
The Cardinals absolutely MUST use a pick in the first three rounds on ____.
A wide receiver. Arizona has a surefire WR1 in Marvin Harrison Jr. and a No. 2 in Michael Wilson. But another bigger, three-down receiver is necessary to round out a fierce offensive platoon that also includes TE1 Trey McBride and RB1 James Conner. Coach Jonathan Gannon admitted at the league meeting that teams paid quite a bit of attention to Harrison last season, so having two receivers — Wilson and a WR3 — at the ready when Harrison is double-teamed would give quarterback Kyler Murray more options and the offense another dimension. — Josh Weinfuss
What we’re hearing about the Cardinals’ draft: With only six selections right now, don’t be surprised if the Cardinals trade back in Round 1 to get more picks. When they do pick, we’ve been told by multiple scouts that the Cardinals will likely go defense early. “They have to get a difference-maker on defense,” an NFC scout said. — Miller
Commentary
Of all of the positions that Josh Weinfuss, ESPN’s beat writer for the Cardinals, feels is an absolute MUST to address in the first three rounds of the draft, he asserts it has to be adding a “bigger, third-down receiver” to complement Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.
Perhaps Josh is doubling down on Mel Kiper’s latest pick du jour for the Cardinals at pick #16 of Texas’ speedy WR Matthew Golden.
2025 NFL mock draft: Kiper’s pick predictions for Rounds 1-2 - ESPN
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Despite using the No. 4 pick on receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. last year, the Cardinals’ 2024 offense leaned on its explosive run game. If Arizona can find another top-tier pass catcher to help the aerial game catch up, this offense would be hard to stop. Golden is a great route runner, and he has 4.29 speed to run underneath some Kyler Murray deep balls. He had 58 catches for 987 yards and nine TDs last season, and he’d give the Cards a solid 1-2-3 punch in Harrison, Golden and tight end Trey McBride.
Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
No one gets by Booker in pass protection, and he is also a solid run blocker thanks to his power. He allowed one sack over three seasons at Alabama. This is strong value in the middle of Round 2, and Booker could start as a rookie at right guard.
Yet, here are some of the reasons why it would and should be unlikely for the Cardinals to select a WR at pick #16:
