The first season under the new regime of general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon certainly had more lows than highs for the Arizona Cardinals. But, they played hard on a weekly basis and picked up some impressive victories, defeating the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles along the way.
Heading into Year 2 of this regime, some big changes could be on the horizon. There are a few keepers and building blocks the team is going to look to add to this offseason. The biggest question, however, is what will happen with quarterback Kyler Murray?
The No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was solid upon his return to the lineup from an ACL injury suffered in 2022. Gannon has said that Murray will be their franchise quarterback moving forward, but that could change between now and the 2024 NFL Draft.
NFL News & Rumors: Kyler Murray, Jonathan Gannon, Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals Updates
Armed with the No. 4 overall pick, the Cardinals could be in position to select one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class. They could also receive an offer they just cannot refuse if a team wants Murray badly enough.
What will Arizona do? In the opinion of Aaron Schatz of ESPN, they are going to retain Murray and build around him. Ossenfort has shown a willingness to make trades if it means acquiring more draft capital to fill out the roster with. But, Schatz believes the Cardinals will instead stay put and add a premium weapon for Murray in the passing game.
“The Cardinals will keep Murray as their starting quarterback and give him the best possible new receiver by drafting Harrison. The talented receiver prospect caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 scores at Ohio State this season,” wrote Schatz.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is considered an elite prospect and the No. 1 wide receiver in this year’s draft class. He has everything you want in a No. 1 receiver in the NFL and is considered by some to be the best player in this year’s class regardless of position.
NFL News & Rumors: Kyler Murray, Jonathan Gannon, Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals Updates
Adding him as a perimeter weapon for Murray would help elevate this offense and be a long-term replacement for DeAndre Hopkins. Whether or not the Cardinals retain Marquise Brown, Harrison makes sense as a target in the first round.
But, given how deep this wide receiver class is, Ossenfort could prefer trading down, compiling assets and landing another prospect. Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr., Troy Franklin, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Adonai Mitchell could all be considered as first round picks when the draft rolls around in April.
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