High draft picks and potential QB transition incoming for the Cardinals

Even though Week One of the 2023 NFL season has yet to begin, mock drafts for next year are already circulating around the internet.

In a recent ESPN mock draft by Matt Miller, the Arizona Cardinals are projected to secure the #1 and #2 overall picks.

As anticipated, Miller predicts the Cardinals will finish at the bottom of the standings, positioning them to select Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams.

Although Williams recently responded with a vague “We’ll have to see” when asked if he would declare for the draft after this season at USC, it appears highly probable that he will eventually do so.

From Matt Miller:

“But I could also see the Cards drafting Williams and trading Murray, especially if the 2019 top pick struggles in his return from a torn ACL in his right knee. It might be difficult with Murray’s big contract, but if Arizona bottoms out this season, the new regime could opt to make a change.”

Last offseason, Kyler Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract that seemingly cemented the former Rookie of the Year as the Cardinals franchise quarterback.

However, as Miller highlighted, the Cardinals are currently navigating a completely revamped front office and coaching staff, which implies that a strategic reset or complete overhaul wouldn’t be unexpected.

And a reset may not be the worst idea.

Due to a trade made during this year’s draft, the Cardinals have also secured the Houston Texans’ first-round draft pick for next year.

This situation positions the Cardinals to potentially grab the top two picks in the draft, handing them the chance to select Marvin Harrison Jr. at the #2 spot.

“Thanks to the draft day trade with the Texans, the Cardinals could have a pair of early first-round picks next April—and in this case, the first two on the board. It would allow the Cardinals to execute a massive offensive rebuild by following up the Caleb Williams pick with the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson.

While Jonathan Gannon and the rest of the Cardinals coaching staff have unequivocally stated their lack of interest in tanking or rebuilding, the opportunity of these two offensive weapons might prove a bit too tempting.

At the very least, should this season take a downturn, the Cardinals have a promising Plan B to look forward to.