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Dissecting the Top WR Choices for the Cardinals
Which ways might Arizona’s weak wide receiver corps be addressed?
Arizona It’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals desperately need wide receiver help. There are plenty of choices available to fill the need in both the draft and free agency, despite the fact that many Cardinal supporters and members of the media may be hoping for the club to select a specific legendary player from Ohio State.
The best receiver alternatives are broken down below, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
The Class Draft
A loaded draft is being made at the receiver position. There are a few good choices if Arizona wishes to target a playmaker early in the draft, even though none of them may have the name recognition and history that the Cardinals and their supporters so desperately desire.
The top three receiving picks in the 2024 NFL Draft are listed below.
1: Ohio State University’s Marvin Harrison Jr.
Now let’s finish this one off. Harrison is among the top prospects for the NFL in 2024. He is without a doubt Arizona’s best option, having just had two outstanding receiving seasons in a row.
He won the Biletnikoff prize in 2023. With 67 receptions, he gained 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was above eighteen on average.
Cons: Despite his seeming “perfect” selection, landing the star player out of Columbus may still be challenging. The three teams ahead of Arizona are all wild cards, despite the fact that many predict the quarterback class to go 1-2-3. The #4 pick is similar to a multi-leg parlay where you need all of the legs to go your way at once, even if it would make sense for each one to choose a quarterback. Harrison might still be selected, but there are too many variables to fully rule out the large wide receiver being among the top three.
Odunze, Rome, University of Washington Odunze possessed a Advantages: Odunze’s stock has increased progressively every season. He weighs 215 pounds and is 6-foot-3. He also has a large build. He had a terrific feel for the openings in the secondary and could run precise routes. He excelled at contested receptions, which was a major weakness in Arizona’s attack. It’s encouraging that he can get along with his quarterback and be there for key plays; he and Kyler Murray might be a formidable combination in the white and red.
Cons: Playing in a Pac-12 conference not known for having top-notch defenses helped Odunze, who is a bit of a late bloomer. In a conference that prioritizes offense, putting up big numbers might mean consuming unnecessary calories. Odunze is not renowned for his rapid release, and although he excelled on disputed3: Louisiana State University’s Malik Nabers
In 2023, Nabers was LSU’s most potent weapon. Working with standout quarterback Jayden Daniels, he had impressive results in his junior campaign. Standing at six feet and two hundred pounds, he is slightly smaller than the other males.
Nabers grabbed 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns, with a reception average of more than 17 yards. In a high-profile LSU offense, he had an outstanding season, highlighted by a remarkable 239-yard effort against Mississippi State.
Advantages: Nabers might give the Cardinals’ attack more diversity and explosiveness. He possesses the blazing speed that some of these other prospects might not have, and he can play anywhere on the field, including in the slot. He has excellent footwork and a fast release.
Independent Contractors
The Cardinals need to fill a number of slots. This gives them the freedom to use their draft capital as they see appropriate, and in general, general manager Monti Ossenfort won’t be able to select a “bad” pick at #4, #27, or even later in the process.
In the event that the Cardinals are without MHJ, they may decide to use the draft to address another need. Here are three of the best alternatives to address the WR position outside of the rookie class, while the free agency market for wide receivers is a little more constrained.
1. Tee Higgins, Bengals, Cincinnati
The NFL’s top-ranked free agent wide receiver is Higgins. He endured a difficult year in 2023 as a result of an injury and the Bengals’ unsettling quarterback situation.Cons: Higgins lacks remarkable speed and isn’t a top route runner. Additionally, he has never been a genuine wide receiver, thus Ja’Marr Chase’s status as Cincinnati’s primary target probably helps him. Although he is a reliable player on 50/50 balls, his route tree lacks whole field agility and diversity, and he primarily plays one trick. Additionally, he is expected to sign a one-year contract at over $20 million, which is a high cost for a Cardinals club that has a lot of needs to be filled.
2: Jacksonville Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley
After serving a 2022 ban, Ridley returned with a strong 2023 campaign. In almost every complete season he has played, he has produced at a respectable clip. In Atlanta, he was able to amass about 1,400 yards.
