In our first team-specific mock draft of the 2023 regular season, the Arizona Cardinals go under the microscope. But this exercise ponders the question: What if Kyler Murray stays with the franchise?
The Arizona Cardinals have been subject to relentless jokes and accusations of tanking after an eventful offseason. A new regime took the reins, quickly parting ways with multiple starters from the 2022 opening week roster. DeAndre Hopkins and Josh Jones are just a couple of such names. One man who didn’t get shipped out — at least yet — is quarterback Kyler Murray.
Tank For Caleb Williams Or Keep Kyler Murray? The Cardinals Will Face A Difficult Decision
The former No. 1 overall pick is still recovering from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2022 campaign prematurely. While the franchise committed a market-altering deal to Murray last offseason, murmurs have already started about the new front office jettisoning the superstar signal-caller and starting fresh with Caleb Williams.
As exciting as Williams is, might the franchise opt to stick with Murray and instead pawn off the No. 1 overall pick to the highest bidder? The return in a hypothetical trade-down would be unprecedented. Now, I know what you’re saying, ‘Hunter, why would anyone give up the chance at Williams’?
To that, I say fair enough. I would certainly not argue with anyone who chooses to restart with Williams on a rookie deal. But let’s have fun for a minute and take a different route. What would an early-season mock draft look like for the Cardinals if they keep Kyler Murray?
Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft: What If Kyler Murray Stays?
*For the purpose of this article, we will use the inverse Super Bowl odds to determine the NFL Draft order. Without further ado, it is time to get this mock draft underway!*
The Trade
Cardinals Send:
•No. 1 overall (2023)
Commanders Send:
•No. 6 overall (2023)
•No. 38 overall (2023)
•No. 97 overall (2023)
•Future first-round pick (2024)
•Future second-round pick (2024)
•Future first-round pick (2025)
The new ownership group in D.C. moves Heaven and Earth to position itself with a chance at USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The franchise has already been bitten in the butt with a similar trade-up for Robert Griffin III in 2012. But that shouldn’t dissuade them from trying again.
The price tag is astronomical, as it should be for a player of Williams’ talent. Remember, the 49ers traded three first-round picks to jump up the draft order for the third quarterback off the board in 2021. It will cost that much at minimum, with the likelihood of multiple Day 2 picks being needed to sweeten the pot.
It is a risky dice roll for both sides. The Commanders have to be right about Williams being a franchise-changing signal-caller. The Cardinals must be right about Kyler Murray rebounding and maintaining his health going forward. But for Arizona, all of those premium draft picks give them a nice safety blanket, regardless.
Round 1, No. 2 (via HOU): Olu Fashanu, OL, Penn State
Assuming the Cardinals stick with Kyler Murray, upgrading the offensive line should be the new regime’s No. 1 priority. General manager Monti Ossenfort got off to a strong start by adding Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round this past April. But Arizona clearly needs more.
Enter Olu Fashanu. The Penn State standout is a franchise left tackle from Day 1. Many analysts, myself included, had Fashanu tabbed as an early first-rounder if he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Alas, he chose to return to the Nittany Lions and secure his college degree before moving on to the NFL.
At 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, Fashanu is the prototypical size for a blindside protector. His length and overall athleticism allow effectiveness in the run game and passing game, alike. Oh, and he is only 20 years old. Johnson Jr. and Fashanu will solidify the offensive line around Murray.
Round 1, No. 6 (via WSH): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Stop me if you have heard this before: Jared Verse would have been an early first-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft if he had entered his name. But similar to the aforementioned Fashanu, Verse decided another year of seasoning in college was necessary.
There’s a chance Verse cements his place inside the top five by the time next Spring arrives, but in a quarterback-heavy draft class, he slips to No. 6 in this mock draft. That sound you hear is Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon cheering in his typical Kendall Roy fashion.
The excitement is warranted, though. Verse profiles as a ten-sack player from Day 1, giving Gannon a much-needed pillar on the defensive side of the ball. With his trademark power and relentless motor while working toward the quarterback, the FSU star has perennial Pro Bowler written all over him.
Round 2, No. 33: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Another area of weakness on the Cardinals roster is the cornerback position. Long-time starter Byron Murphy departed for Minnesota in the offseason, leaving rookie Kei’Trel Clark and third-year player Marco Wilson as the starters.
Now, I am not trying to slander either guy — or the rest of the depth chart. But none of them bring the upside of Clemson’s Nate Wiggins. I’ll go even further to say he is a first-round grade on my current Big Board, but most mock drafts have him sitting on the fringe of Day 1.
Arizona takes advantage here by snagging Wiggins with the first pick of the second round. He has NFL length and coverage chops to stick with the elite of the elite at wide receiver. The Cardinals get another building block at No. 33 overall.
Round 2, No. 38 (via WSH): Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Regardless of who plays quarterback in the long term, the Cardinals need more weapons, period. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is entering the final year of his rookie deal, leaving recent third-rounder Michael Wilson as the lone WR1 on the roster. Even if Brown receives a new contract, the depth chart is still lacking overall.
Johnny Wilson is not a one-for-one DeAndre Hopkins replacement — few are. But the two possess similar play styles, even if Wilson is six inches taller and 20 pounds heavier. Wilson excels in jump-ball situations and would be a perfect foil to Michael Wilson and Hollywood Brown. Through two rounds of this mock draft, the fan base is surely buzzing.
Round 3, No. 65: Jaylan Ford, LB/S, Texas
The Cardinals continue building a new identity on defense with the addition of Jaylan Ford. The Texas Longhorn is a bit of a tweener in terms of size, but his overall athleticism and play strength will allow him to stick anywhere on an NFL depth chart. Ford’s top-end speed and rawness in run support could cause some growing pains, but it is nothing an NFL coaching staff can’t fix.
Round 3, No. 66 (via HOU): Javion Cohen, OL, Miami
Paris Johnson Jr. and Olu Fashanu are promising bookends for the offensive line, but the interior still needs a facelift. Fret not; Miami’s Javion Cohen can fix that. A transfer from Alabama, the first-year player for the Miami Hurricanes has performed well in pass-blocking sets in 2023.
The run game remains a work in progress, as Cohen hasn’t yet figured out how to consistently leverage his strength. Contact balance is another issue that pops up from time to time, but given Cohen’s immense physical talent, an NFL coaching staff can finish putting this puzzle together.
Round 3, No. 75 (via TEN): Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
To Blake Corum’s credit, he is easily one of the best college running backs in recent memory. However, his advanced age and devastating 2022 injury could keep him on the board longer than expected. In this mock draft, the Cardinals take advantage and scoop up an instant starter in the backfield.
Whether Caleb Williams ultimately becomes “the guy” or if Arizona sticks by Kyler Murray, they need more out of the run game than James Conner can provide. Corum is a patient yet violent runner, capable of handling a full workload as a rookie. Finally, the Cardinals have an offensive identity that isn’t centered around Kliff Kingsbury’s Mickey Mouse scheme.
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