Ask Odegard: All Eyes on Marvin Harrison, Jr. and the Draft

The Cardinals are steadily dropping out of the Caleb Williams/Drake Maye range, so the conversation has shifted to Marvin Harrison, Jr. and other top prospects.

The mailbag starts with a lot of that discourse but there is a good variety of questions again this week. Keep them comin’.

“Thankfully, the "Caleb or Kyler" debate seems to have lost momentum. It has now been displaced by the "MHJ or bust" versus any other draft strategy (trade back, etc.) debate. Where do you fall regarding this question? Is it MHJ or bust?” – Jokomo13

Kyle Odegard: If the Cardinals finish with the No. 2 overall pick, it’s far from MHJ or bust for me. Someone is going to want Drake Maye pretty badly, and extracting value from a desperate team would be great.

But, yes, it seems increasingly unlikely that Arizona finishes with one of the top two picks. And if they finish third? It is Marvin Harrison, Jr. or bust for me.

He looks like a transcendent talent at a premium position, and dropping in a ready-made star receiver in 2024 would elevate the offense, especially considering tight end Trey McBride has ascended into a Pro Bowl-level player himself.

You could trade down from 3 and get more picks, but it wouldn’t be the same bounty as finishing in the top-2. And if this dude is seriously a Ja’Marr Chase redux, I wouldn’t pass on that.

“If the Cardinals maintained the 3rd pick would you take Harrison Jr or keep building the O and D line by trading down and getting an additional 1st for next year. Paris has been a great addition.” – Scott Baily

KO: Similar question, but I wanted to answer this one separately to get into the trade down aspect. The Cardinals just did this last offseason, of course, and I still think it was great process because the Houston pick was projected to land so high.

That isn’t going to happen, and now Will Anderson is playing like a future All-Pro. 

So while there is upside to trading down, there is also risk in passing on a player you think can be a game-changer. In the end, it would have to be a very enticing package to move down and off Harrison. And I think he’s too good at such a position of need for it to happen again in 2024.

“Can next year be a playoff team or do we have too many holes? I see too many holes to fix in one off-season.“ – sean

KO: I may be in the minority with this opinion but I think it is possible. Much of it depends how aggressive the Cardinals are this offseason, and whether they see this is as a one-year turnaround or two. 

One thing to consider: owner Michael Bidwill is probably getting quite antsy to get some positive attention on his organization, so the plan could be accelerated whether Monti Ossenfort wants it to be or not.

And if the Cardinals push hard, they have a chance to turn things around quickly. The most important piece is the quarterback, and Kyler Murray’s presence is huge. Add in the rookie class and the recent play of Trey McBride, and there are some building blocks here.

There is a lot to do in free agency and the draft, but the Cardinals have enough cap space and picks to be demonstrably better in 2024. Keep in mind, a 9-8 record may get you into the playoffs now that seven teams make it in each conference, and between an improved roster, great quarterback play and a some close-game luck, it’s potentially attainable.

“Been a quiet free agency last two years. With projected $71 M in cap space with the ability to create more, how active are the Cards in 2024? If these guys make it to free agency how realistic is DT Christian Wilkins? DT Teair Tart? G Mike Onwenu? CB LJ Sneed?” – Jalen KwaMane

KO: I think they will definitely be active on many guys. With Kyler in the fold, and if Harrison is that top pick, the offense is close to ready-made, and you can stock up with other add-ons in free agency to become significantly better in 2024.

Even so, you can’t just throw big money around to mediocre players. And if some of the premium free agents choose to play for better-run organizations, then it makes sense to spend some now and roll some over to 2025, when you can show you are back on the way to competitiveness.

As far as specific guys, I’d imagine defensive line, cornerback and offensive line will be areas targeted, but it’s hard to know which players will be pursued.

One other thing: Some of that money can be spent in trades for stars. We’ve seen guys like Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams on the move in recent offseasons and Arizona could try a big swing through that market, especially if it can’t land some of the big names through free agency.

“Seen these opinions float around, but do you think Brown with his play albeit with the heel injury now is probably not going to brought back with the Cardinals?” MonsterDemo2

KO: At the trade deadline I wrote that they should bring him back. Now it feels more complicated. If Brown wants $18 million-plus per year, that could give the Cardinals pause.

This is a tricky one. Some of it may depend on where they end up in the draft order. If you are sitting at 3 and MHJ is a good possibility, you can move on. If not, it’s more dicey because this is a weak receiving core without Brown.

The final games after the bye week could truly determine the action on that. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cardinals were still undecided at this point.

“Help me convince some stubborn fans who want to pass on MHJ if he is there and draft interior OL/DL in that pick. Help me contextualize why these positions can be addressed in our many early round picks/free agency. In other words- why should they trust Monti to cook?” Chalupa Batman

KO: We’ve all seen how the offense crumbles when Kyler gets pressured, and how the defense gets shredded when the line can’t affect the opposing quarterback. So the argument holds a lot of water, but if Harrison, Jr. is as good as projected, he solves a lot of problems himself.

Would I understand if the Cardinals took another tackle or an edge rusher? Of course. But as we have seen with Joe Burrow & Ja’Marr Chase, Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelce, Tua Tagovailoa & Tyreek Hill – a dominant duo through the air can mean big things for an offense.

And while tackles don’t go on trees, I do think you can find interior offensive linemen in free agency, so the left guard spot can be shored up there. And even if they take Harrison with their first pick, I’d expect a bunch of defensive line selections throughout the rest of the draft, possibly beginning with the Houston pick.

"Likelihood of losing out on a top 3 pick? Bears look like the only potential win of remaining games, but 4 wins puts us in an unfavorable position with the tiebreakers." Michael Ong

KO: Quite possible. I think the Bears and Seahawks games are both winnable, and like you said, the Cardinals will be on the wrong side of the tiebreakers.

Which (interior) defensive linemen are worth keeping around? The entire position group needs upgrading but it seems like we may have some pieces worth keeping” – Motivational Beaker

KO: Dante Stills, Kevin Strong, L.J. Collier, Roy Lopez, Leki Fotu, all those guys have been decent. You need a game-wrecker at the position but I’d be good with with some of those guys returning as rotational pieces.

“What're the chance the Cardinals hit the WR position hard in FA? (Pittman Jr, Tee Higgins) And we pass on the dreams of MHJ in favor of trading down from (presumably) #3. Just feels like there's so many holes, I want MHJ but would love to see what Monti can do with more picks” – Darth Babu

KO: Mentioned this earlier but I would be surprised at a trade down if the Cardinals have a chance to grab Harrison, Jr. He’s a guy that is potentially elite, and while Pittman and Higgins are very good, they are not quite at that tier, and would cost a pretty penny.

Trading down is always intriguing to me but I’d rather have MHJ.

“Soooo… do they kicken Zaven back inside after the season?” – Logan

KO: Well, B.J. Ojulari is one starting edge, Dennis Gardeck is your speed rusher and Victor Dimukeje is a rotation piece at a low cost. You have to figure this team goes after an upper-tier edge rusher this offseason, so it does feel like that would have Collins on the outside looking in.

If the coaching staff thinks another offseason at the position could unlock his potential, maybe he stays, but putting him back inside makes the most sense to me. Collins has just one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit in his past five games on the edge.

“Why do you think there are no locker room videos after wins? Fans are pumped up and,  I am sure, would appreciate some insight in how the guys are celebrating a hard-fought W.” – Roland

KO: Likely a decision made by the new regime. I’m pro-access and think that stuff is a great olive branch to the fanbase, but that’s not always the concern of the coach and GM.

It feels like Gannon wants to keep many things under wraps, and maybe this is one of those decisions, but I don’t know for sure.

“If the Cardinals draft one of the two tackles with their own first round pick, do you think they plan to move PJJ to LT or keep him at RT and put the rookie with (slightly) higher draft capital at LT?” – Collin

KO: The draft capital would be so close that it would likely just be a matter of figuring out the optimal setup. Most of these top prospects will be at left tackle coming out of college.

If they draft Olu Fashanu or Joe Alt, it will definitely be a big storyline as to who plays where. D.J. Humphries has struggled some this year but the Cardinals have not moved Paris Johnson from the right side, so maybe he does stick there. Good question, but hard to know the answer.

“If all goes to plan and he does kyler things how long do you see kyler murray with us ???, realistically I see 7+ years” – Charles Mendoza

KO: I mean, yeah, he’s only 26 years old. Quarterbacks are basically the only players remaining that can stick a decade-plus with their original team.

If Kyler plays well, it could be a very long pairing in the desert. He is happy in Arizona and the new staff has really taken to him, so for now at least, it feels like a long-term thing.

“Asking for several with this question - Which Cardinals players  and coaches would make the best Santa Claus at this year’s holiday party? Rank them if you wish.” Ed Helinski

KO: I scanned the mugshots and unsurprisingly the offensive linemen were the winners. My first-string Santa Claus is Hjalte Froholdt. The backup is Trystan Colon.

Do you think the cardinals draft position determines Humphries’ future with this team? For example, if AZ is too far back for MHJ but in place for one of the top 2 tackle prospects? Hasn’t played well recently and they may want youth at the position – Jayco

KO: It very well could. If you end up with Fashanu or Alt, Humphries becomes expendable. If not, finding a tackle is much tougher. Humphries is a below-average left tackle at this point, and upgrading will certainly be the wish, but you can’t fill every hole.

I’m not ready to say he will 100% be cut at this point.

“Where do you stand on the Rondale Moore talk? Do we let him walk and build around Dortch, Trey, Wilson and maybe a round 1 or 2 WR or is there just not enough room for Rondale next seson?” Carlos Macias

KO: He is still under contract next season so you bring him back as a gadget guy, but I think we are past the point where Moore is considered a key cog on offense.

He has looked much better with Murray at quarterback but it’s often just one or two splash plays every few games. Not the consistency you need in the slot.

“If Marvin Harrison Jr isn't available wherever the Cardinals land in the draft, could they go cornerback/pass rusher with their pick and go WR or trade away the Texans pick if its in the 20s?” The Sitar Player

KO: If it’s not Marvin, I think offensive tackle is most likely, followed by edge rusher. Basically, by the time the first round ends, my guess is they come away with two from this group of positions: wideout, offensive tackle, defensive line and cornerback.

“If we aren’t able to draft Marvin would we go after a #1 WR on the market?” – Tino

KO: I think the more likely scenario would be the return of Hollywood Brown and then a different receiver early in the draft.

"If we drop into the 4-6 in the draft, who are your top prospects? Assuming MHJ is taken earlier.” – Doug Mielke

KO: I like Fashanu and Alt so you can feel great about both tackle spots for the next half-decade, at least. Jonathan Gannon came from a team that absolutely nailed the offensive line, and I’ve been told he has visions of repeating that in Arizona.

"You excited for GTA VI?” AzCards27

KO: Don’t think I’ve played a video game since Halo I when I was a freshman at Arizona State. Excited for you guys, though. I know it’s been a long time coming.

Leki Fotu, Cam Thomas, Marco Wilson. Cut, cut, and cut for next year?” Mike Wazowski

KO: Fotu is a free agent so he can’t be cut. Cameron Thomas you bring to camp and see if he has progressed as a former third-round pick. But, yeah, he has shown very little all season.

And normally I’d say Marco Wilson could be a depth piece, but the fact that the Cardinals have stopped playing him completely makes me feel like they may be doing that so he doesn’t get injured.

The team does save $1.06 million if it cuts him, so that could be the move.

“Who’s your favourite ‘soccer’ team?” Luke Hoffman

KO: Once upon a time I pledged to root for Arsenal because of Martin Odegaard, but to be honest I watched two matches and then fell off. My co-workers live in the U.K. and are all football mad, but I still haven’t made the jump.

If Arsenal wins the EPL maybe I’ll buy a kit.