The 2024 NFL draft is more than two months away and it is mock draft season. Every weekend, we will run a mock draft simulation.
This week, we focus on only three rounds because compensatory picks have not yet been announced.
In this scenario, the focus is on a first-round trade.
Trade down from No. 4 to 12
The New England Patriots took a receiver with every simulation I ran with the third pick, and this is something very possible that could happen, as they could look to trade for a veteran quarterback.
They take LSU receiver Malik Nabers, which means Marvin Harrison Jr. is on the board. But the Denver Broncos want to trade up for Harrison from the 12th pick.
They send the Cardinals pick No. 12, pick No. 76 (a third-rounder) and their 2025 first-round pick for No. 4.
Round 1 (No. 12 overall): Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound pass rusher had nine sacks in two straight seasons. The Cardinals need talent at every level of the defense and adding legit pass-rushing juice is great here.
Round 1 (No. 27 overall): Washington OT Troy Fautanu
The Cardinals take a tackle here and don’t have to worry about either tackle spot for years, pairing him with Paris Johnson.
Round 2 (No. 35 overall) Florida State WR Keon Coleman
At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Coleman is big and physical. He will remind some of Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals get a receiver and things look good.
Trade back in Round 3
Cardinals send Lions No. 66 for No. 73 (3rd round), No. 163 (5th round) and 2025 fifth-rounder
The Cardinals move back a few picks.
Round 3 (No. 71 overall): Kansas EDGE Austin Booker
Booker, who is 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, had eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss in one season for Kansas after transferring from Minnesota. This doubles up on the edge with Verse, but the Cardinals need bodies and talent.
Round 3 (No. 73 overall): Oregon DT Brandon Dorlus
The Cardinals look to beef up the defensive interior with Dorlus. He had five sacks and also broke up nine passes for Oregon last season.
Round 3 (No. 76 overall): Florida State DL Braden Fiske
Fiske was unblockable at the Senior Bowl.
The Cardinals add a third Seminoles player in this draft, doubling up on the defensive line. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound interior defender had six sacks for Florida State last year after four seasons with Western Michigan.
Round 3 (No. 90 overall): Notre Dame CB Cam Hart
Hart adds size and physicality at 6-2 and 207 lbs.
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