Continuing The Work – Arizona Cardinals 2024 Draft Profile

The Arizona Cardinals took a season to reset and adjust in 2023-24. Their new front office and coaching staff seemed to be the right move as the team caught on late in the season. Now entering the 2024 offseason, they have two first round picks and a chance to take flight as the new year comes around.

 

Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington

 

Arizona needs to attack the draft with a strategy that puts them in the driver seat. They currently sit at the 4th-overall selection, but trading back could yield more picks and allow them to take advantage of the depth in this class.

If they decide to trade back, targeting a versatile defensive back could set their defense up to be dangerous in the future.

Long-time safety Budda Baker’s future is in question, and finding a versatile replacement for him could be the best decision. Cooper DeJean out of Iowa is a uber-versatile defender with tremendous upside at the pro level. DeJean plays with elite instincts and vision, tracking the quarterback’s eyes with hawk-like precision. He offers above average athleticism, allowing him to cover slot receivers and tight ends with ease. The former Hawkeye also has the skills to act as a return man with homerun capability.

Last season the Cardinals took the cornerstone of their offensive line in Paris Johnson, they will now need to bolster the weapons around Kyler Murray. After trading Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons, they will need to add speed to the receiver room and there are plenty of options at the bottom of the first round.

Xavier Worthy would be an excellent addition to the Arizona passing attack. Worthy is easily the fastest human in the draft class, and is as polished a receiver as you’ll find available. He uses his ability to change gears to throw defenders off, getting open quickly for his quarterback. Worthy possesses an above average football IQ as well, being able to expose zones by throttling down in open windows.

Drafting Worthy would give Murray a target that can threaten every area of the field and open up this offense.

Arizona has a two young edges on the roster in Zaven Collins and BJ Ojulari, but needs good depth they can develop.

In the second round they should look at a player like Bracken Trice. Trice has been a productive player with top tier production as a pass rusher at Washington. Though he didn’t test well, his tape shows that he is a pro-ready prospect with high upside.

Trice’s explosive hands and natural bend allow him to get to the quarterback with speed or power. He has a plethora of pass rush moves in his arsenal but could use some coaching on how to set them up. Putting him under the eyes of Jonathan Gannon would bode well for both Trice and the Cardinal defense.

This is the draft that will set up the Cardinals for the future. If they come out of this draft with a good haul they will reap the benefits sooner rather than later.