Draft Day Darlings: Did Cardinals Have the Best Draft in the NFL?

· May 06 - 4 minutes read

There is a reason for optimism among Arizona Cardinals fans after loading up quality players in the 2024 NFL draft. It is still no surprise the Cardinals are a distant fourth in Las Vegas odds to win the NFC West at +1200.

Kyler Murray now has a legitimate WR1 as the Cardinals snagged former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4. The son of the Hall of Famer may be one of the best receiver prospects to enter the draft in recent years.

Draft Day Darlings: Did Cardinals Have the Best Draft in the NFL? — Trey Benson #3 of the Florida State Seminoles | Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images/AFP

“He’s gonna make it a lot easier on Kyler…they just gotta start getting into a rhythm on everything.”

@BaldyNFL on the soon-to-be explosive connection of Kyler Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr.#BirdGang | #AZCardinals | #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/5EpDx6XSRo

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) May 5, 2024

Arizona did not stop there as the Cardinals had a second first-rounder selecting Missouri pass rusher Darius Robinson at No. 27. These were just two of the 12 selections the Cards had in the 2024 draft.

Stay ahead with the best NFL odds! Bet now and boost your winnings!

Here’s why the Cardinals had one of the best drafts of any NFL team.

Cardinals Land One of the Best Running Backs in the Draft

Arizona landed Florida State standout running back Trey Benson in the third round. Some analysts had Benson as their top-rated running back in the third round.

Cardinals are selecting FSU RB Trey Benson at No. 66. per @rapsheet pic.twitter.com/rIrdicCaG4

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 27, 2024

Benson posted 156 carries for 906 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. The former Noles playmaker also added 20 receptions for 227 yards and a TD through the air. 5

Benson ran a blazing fast 4.39-second 40 times at the NFL Combine. What can Cardinals fans expect from their newest running back?

.@MatthewBerryTMR sees RB Trey Benson as the Cardinals’ starter in the near future. 👀 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/0KRyCsNZOc

— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) April 27, 2024

“He has creative athleticism but lacks creative vision, so he would be wise to keep more runs on track and finish with consistent authority rather than searching for greener grass,” NFL.com’s Lance Zielein wrote in his pre-draft profile of the running back. “Benson has some talent as a pass catcher and enough protection ability to warrant a role as a complementary three-down option.”

Explore the excitement of NFL lines and Vegas NFL odds – your winning play awaits!

Take A Look At These Other 2 NFL Special Articles

Marvin Harrison Jr. Already Drawing Hall of Fame Comparisons

Now, it is worth mentioning that with 12 picks, the Cardinals had every opportunity to nail the draft. Benson and Harrison add serious firepower to the Arizona offense.

Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison already scores a loooong TD 🔥

(@LincHeimbachTSP)pic.twitter.com/jXayrNF0BQ

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 9, 2023

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had the Cardinals as the No. 5 rated draft class praising the team’s haul. It all starts with Harrison who is drawing comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald. Harrison is coming off back-to-back seasons with 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

“The unwritten goal for NFL teams is to come away from each draft with four starters,” Brugler detailed in the Cardinals draft class. “With 12 selections this year, there is a good chance the Cardinals exceed that number.

“There is no doubt that the Cardinals considered the other top receivers in this class or trade-down options, but ultimately, they weren’t going to overthink this selection. The No. 2 player on my board, Harrison has a skill set reminiscent of Larry Fitzgerald and will upgrade the Arizona offense immediately.”

Despite all my praise, the sportsbook is not necessarily bullish on Arizona’s outlook. The Cards’ win total over-under is set at 6½.

Bet on NFL Features