TEMPE, Ariz. -- The 2024 NFL draft began Thursday, April 25, in Detroit. The Arizona Cardinals made 12 of the draft's 257 picks, beginning with the No. 4 selection of the first round on Thursday night.
ESPN provided pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Cardinals' selections as they were made.
A look at each of Arizona's scheduled selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 4 overall: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
My take: In a lot of ways, staying at No. 4 and drafting Harrison was the only way to go for the Cardinals. They needed a true WR1 who could have an immediate impact on the offense, and Harrison is that guy. He'll give quarterback Kyler Murray an elite target to round out as good of an offensive core as the Cardinals have had in years. The Cardinals saw a glimpse of what their offense could be late in the season and adding Harrison to that mix could be the missing ingredient.
Will he start as a rookie?: Yes. He'll enter the offseason program as the Cardinals' WR1 and will be be the X receiver from Day 1. He will work the boundary for Drew Petzing's offense, utilizing his size and hands to maneuver along the sideline.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: It fills a massive hole for the Cardinals, who haven't had a true WR1 since DeAndre Hopkins and a great young receiver since Larry Fitzgerald 20 years ago. Offensively, Harrison will be a threat one-on-one but will also command enough attention from defenses that Arizona's other receiving threats -- Michael Wilson, Trey McBride and Greg Dortch, among others -- will instantly benefit.
Round 1, No. 27 (from Houston): Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
My take: Arizona needed help getting to the quarterback and Robinson will contribute to that. The Cardinals are coming off a season with just 33 sacks, their fewest since 2010, so addressing their pass rush was a priority heading into the draft. Robinson can play inside and outside, giving him enough versatility to stay on the field for all three downs (coach Jonathan Gannon raved about this after drafting him), but he'll likely play inside for Arizona. He's still raw in some ways, such as with his moves, but with how much emphasis the Cardinals have put on the defensive front this season, Robinson could come in and start while also having a chance to learn from a deep defensive line room.
Key stat: When Robinson moved to edge rusher for his last season at Missouri, he doubled his pressure rate from 6% to 13%, which was the sixth-best in the SEC, according to ESPN Stats and Information. He finished with 8.5 sacks and 35 pressures, each the fourth-most in the SEC last season.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: Both. After re-signing defensive lineman L.J. Collier, the Cardinals signed three more defensive linemen in free agency. Adding Robinson gives them more depth up front but also addresses a need at pass-rusher.
What's next: Arizona still needs to address cornerback and offensive line, but general manager Monti Ossenfort expects to hear from a number of teams who want to move up to the top of the second round on Friday. With the likes of cornerback Cooper DeJean, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, wide receiver Keon Coleman, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell still on the board, at least a few will be available when Arizona goes on the clock.
Watch some of Max Melton's best plays at Rutgers.
Round 2: No. 43 (from Atlanta): Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
My take: The Cardinals let some of the draft's top cornerbacks go off the board before taking Melton, who will join a young cornerbacks room. At 5-foot-11, Melton has the quickness to enter the fray rather quickly. He's one of two defensive backs to run a sub-4.3 40 at the NFL combine. But Arizona needed help at corner, and Melton will provide that in some way, shape or form. He has a nose for the ball with eight picks in the last three seasons and -- if needed -- he can play special teams, where he blocked three kicks in 2022.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: This is another pick that fits both. The Cardinals needed help at cornerback after giving up 32 passing touchdowns [30th in the NFL] and a 69% completion percentage to wide receivers (31st in the league) last season. Melton will have stiff competition to win a starting job; Sean Murphy-Bunting, Kei'Trel Clark and Garrett Williams are all either returners or signed this offseason and expected to be in the mix for a starting job.
Check out some of the top highlights from Florida State RB Trey Benson.
Round 3, No. 66: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
My take: The Cardinals may have just found James Conner's back-up -- and maybe even Conner 2.0. Benson is a big back (6-feet, 216 pounds) and can combine his size with speed. He ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, the third-fastest among running backs. He can handle the brutality of being an every-down back, but with Conner coming off a 1,000-yard season, Benson's best bet to get on the field is on third downs. He has enough pass-pro ability to put him in the third-down back conversation.
Key stat for this player: Of Benson's 1,896 rushing yards during his the last two seasons at the Florida State, 1,137 yards -- or 59.9% -- were outside the tackles. His speed allows him to bounce outside and beat the edge. He averaged 7.7 yards per rush outside the tackles with the Seminoles.
Check out some of the top highlights from Illinois TE Tip Reiman.
Round 3, No. 71 (from Tennessee): Isaiah Adams, G, Illinois
My take: Adams will come into a crowded offensive line room trying to break in at guard, where the Cardinals plan to play him. However, Adams' familiarity with Arizona's offensive line coach, Klayton Adams, who coached him at the Senior Bowl, could give him an advantage. Adams will compete for time at a position that the Cardinals have yet to solidify, and with his size and quickness off the ball, Adams could make a push to crack the rotation.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: This is more of a depth pick for Arizona. However, if Adams has a good enough offseason and training camp, he could start. At the very least, he could make the depth chart as a swing guard.
Round 3, No. 82 (from Indianapolis): Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
My take: Reiman could fill a need for the Cardinals if he blocks in the NFL like he blocked in college. With Arizona letting tight end Geoff Swaim walk in free agency, Arizona has an opening for a blocking tight end, and Reiman -- though he'll have some competition for that spot -- fits the bill. He's 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds, and said his favorite part of being a blocking tight end is mauling someone.
Key stat: 0. Reiman did not allow a single sack last season at Illinois and allowed two pressures. In the run game, he had just three blown blocks.
Check out some of the top highlights from Boston College CB Elijah Jones.
Round 3, No. 90 (from Houston): Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
My take: Jones looks the part. He's 6-foot-2 and 184 pounds with the speed to run with defenders anywhere on the field. Jones will join an ever-growing cornerback room and will have to fight to see the field, but his size will be alluring to Arizona's coaching staff if his game translates to the NFL. He had five interceptions last season and had the best vertical at the combine, adding to his ability to defend passes on the move.
Key stat: 29%. That was the completion rate that Jones held opposing quarterbacks to last season when he was defending, eighth best in the FBS. But that's not all. He held opposing quarterbacks to a 3.0 QBR, which was the second lowest in the FBS and the best in the Power 5.
What's next: The Cardinals have five picks on Saturday -- one in the fourth (No. 104), two in the fifth (Nos. 138 and 162), one in the sixth (No. 191) and one on the seventh (No. 226). Arizona has already addressed their primary needs but will likely continue to focus on offensive line, corner and edge rusher while keeping their eyes open for another receiver.
Round 4, No. 104: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
My take: Taylor-Demerson has a great nose for the ball -- his 10 interceptions since 2021 led the Big 12 over that time. His speed and versatility -- 24% of his snaps have been at slot corner -- will help him get on the field, something that coach Jonathan Gannon covets.
Round 5: No. 138: Xavier Thomas, EDGE, Clemson
My take: Thomas will come into the NFL with a chip on his shoulder and ready to prove himself, and it may take a season or two to find his way in the NFL. But he has the ability to start making plays here and there for Arizona as a rookie. And the Cardinals need help getting to the quarterback. Their 33 sacks last season were their fewest since 2010.
Round 5: No. 162: Christian Jones, OL, Texas
My take: A depth pick by the Cardinals, Jones won't be thrown into the fray from the jump. He'll be given time to develop and could even end up as a practice-squad guy depending on how he develops and how the room sorts itself out.
Round 6, No. 191: Tejhaun Palmer, WR, UAB
My take: At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Palmer has the strength to get reps for the Cardinals but will be a bottom-of-the-roster player and might end up on the practice squad while he develops. He could be valuable if injuries hit the Cardinals' crowded receiving room but will need to keep polishing his game to get that shot.
Round 7: No. 226 (from Giants): Jaden Davis, CB, Miami
My take: Davis has the experience of playing high-level football, having started his career at Oklahoma before finishing it at Miami, but he's entering a crowded cornerbacks room. Starting may be a long shot but Davis could find himself on the field if the injury bug hits Arizona.