Cardinals make two trades, three picks in first round of latest mock draft

The Cardinals currently own the No. 4 (own) and 27 (via Texans) overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, some believe moving down makes a lot of sense for Arizona since it has several holes to fill and several quarterback-needy teams looking to trade up.

That's exactly what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein has the Cardinals doing in his latest mock draft.

Arizona first strikes a deal with the Vikings, who are eyeing Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy and willing to trade their two first-round picks (No. 11 and 23) in exchange. 

With pick No. 11, the Cardinals then select Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner.

"After trading down from No. 4 in exchange for a pair of first-round picks from the Vikings, the Cardinals are still able to grab immediate pass-rush help off the edge in the form of the freaky-athletic Turner," Zierlein writes.

Turner would instantly upgrade Arizona's pass rush after posting 53 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2023. The Cardinals didn't have a player post more than six sacks last season (LB Dennis Gardeck). Turner would make sure that doesn't happen again.

Zierlein then has Arizona making a trade with Seattle to move back up to pick No. 16 and fill its glaring need at wide receiver with LSU's Brian Thomas Jr.

"After initially trading out of No. 4, Arizona uses the draft capital GM Monti Ossenfort has been collecting to move back up from No. 23 to this slot in order to grab LSU's other high-ceiling speedster," Zierlein writes. "Thomas led the FBS with 17 touchdown receptions last season."

Thomas Jr. is no Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze — the presumptive top-three wide receivers in the draft — but he is not too far behind.

QB Kyler Murray's arsenal is depleted after watching wide receiver Marquise Brown sign with the Chiefs in free agency and the Cardinals trade wide receiver Rondale Moore to the Falcons. Thomas Jr. would be the No. 1 wide receiver he's been missing.

With Arizona's third first-round pick (No. 27), it dips back into the Alabama talent pool for cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

"Finishing off an active first round, the Cardinals take a steady cornerback with good size and athleticism," Zierlein writes.

McKinstry would help improve Arizona's secondary after posting 67 tackles, one sack, one interception and 22 passes defensed over the past two years.

Still, trading out of the No. 4 spot might not be what the Cardinals prefer to do as they could land the draft's top non-QB, but having the chance to make three first-round picks is tough to pass on as well. Either way, Arizona has great options.