Ask Odegard: Marvin Harrison, Jr. Or Trade Down From 4?

There is one major question on the mind of every Cardinals fan right now.

Let’s not waste any time. Here are my thoughts on MHJ-vs-trading-down and plenty of other topics in this week’s mailbag.

“If you were the Cardinals GM this year, would you stick and pick MHJ at 4, or trade down for 11, 23, 2025 1st?” – JT

“How are you feeling on this Vikings prospect? I really, really hope we don't move out from MHJ unless it's the haul of the century.” – YuppieAbroad

“Gotta be draft MHJ or Trade. What is the comparison if you could put the offers side by side. What is the 4th pick worth?” – daniel

“Really scared we may pass on a stud player of need as is MHJ and re-live the whole Suggs, Adrian Petersen shoot even DK Metcalf fiascos all over again… do you really try in Monti would crush our hearts his 2nd year in this position” – Michael

“What’s the minimum that the Vikings have to offer for Monti to trade back?” – Avi Soep

Kyle Odegard: The offer JT brought up is really the pivot point to me. If Minnesota stays firm at the two first-rounders this year, I’m not doing it. If they give me those three first-rounders and more draft capital, I’m doing it.

But what if that’s the exact offer with no room to budge? Decisions, decisions.

On one hand, Marvin Harrison, Jr. is the clear-cut best non-quarterback prospect in the draft, so in essence the Cardinals are getting a mega-prospect at No. 4, which is quite the boon.

On the other, we are talking about 11, 23 and 27 this year, plus the second-round pick, plus the three third-rounders. And then you’ve got two more first-round picks next season, which would both project to be top-10 heading into 2024.

So there is an argument to keep trading back and keep building the depth of this team. 

My verdict? I’d take MHJ. 

It feels to me like there is a drop-off after the MHJ/Malik Nabers/Rome Odunze/Joe Alt tier of prospects, and 11 doesn’t guarantee you any of those guys.

And if one of the three first-rounders go bust while MHJ turns into a perennial All-Pro, you are already staring at the wrong side of the trade.

And also: Do we really want to waste another year of Kyler Murray’s prime by trading back and not giving him a potential superstar at receiver? Stick and pick.

“What camp are you on? Trading down for picks or getting MHJ? Which do you want to happen? If we trade back who would be your number 1 on the board at 11?” – Rudy Barron

KO: I’ll address the last question since I hit on the others above. If I traded down, it would be with the expectation that Rome Odunze is still on the board. I wouldn’t be thrilled with a Quinyon Mitchell, Jared Verse or Olu Fashanu at that spot.

“Do you think the trade down rumors are real or all a smokescreen? Seems like these rumors only started after the Justin Fields trade.” – BigMekk

KO: They are real. Vikings traded for the No. 23 pick for a reason.

“Adding MHJ would be great, but do you think they still need to add another vet WR to that room? Still feels kind of thin depending on what they think they can get from Michael Wilson” – Trent

KO: A veteran wide receiver would be great because of Wilson’s injury history, but I’m OK with MHJ and Trey McBride as the focal points of the passing game while you keep costs down at the other spots. Can’t pay everybody, and while I would have re-signed Hollywood, Ossenfort wants to allocate the resources to other places, which is just fine.

“Song you can’t get out of your head lately?” – Donnie Druin

KO: I recently heard Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD again and it reminded me how catchy of a song that is. RIP Juice. 

“How does this team view the cornerback position right now?” – Oliver Kent

KO: Sean Murphy-Bunting said the team views him as a No. 1 cornerback. I don’t really buy that, but I also don’t think anyone of substance is walking through that door.

I think the starters in 2024 will be SMB, Garrett Williams and a rookie taken either at No. 27 or on Day 2.

I also think it will be a below average group next season.

“Are the Cardinals finally going to #LetDortchTorch?” – TankieFrankie

KO: Oh, it’s lit.

"If we trade down , realistically how many of the 3 firsts do we expect to be 10 year guys like paris?” – Charles Mendoza

KO: History would tell you that one or two of those guys will be hits.

“A check in on Larry Fitzgerald’s pickleball career? Haha. Has his retirement papers been filed with the league? When did/does the 5-year eligibility for HOF begin? Thx” – Anthony

KO: I believe he will be eligible in 2026. No clue how the pickleball is going, but I can see why he likes it. Us Millennials aren't into sprinting back and forth on tennis courts anymore at this point in our lives.

"What areas still need addressing with the Cardinals with the draft and with one year prove-it free agency deals?” – Ed Helinski

KO: Big spots left to fill are wide receiver, edge rusher and cornerback. Another interior defensive lineman would be nice, as would an interior offensive linemen.

“Why is everything going quiet on the Budda Baker contract? Will he be cut or extended?” – Dogecoin69

KO: The most likely scenario is that he plays out the final year and then moves on next offseason. I don’t think they want to extend him, and if a cut was going to happen it would have been at the start of free agency.

“I know Tackle isn’t a dire need anymore, but with the added flexibility, do you think they could take a project tackle high and have him sit? Or would this regime not go that way and opt for players who can start day 1?” – Jayco

KO: I think if a big ball of clay like Amarius Mims was available at 27 or 35, they would absolutely consider it. Jonah Williams was a nice addition, but that can be a very short-term signing if need be. 

The Cardinals will now prioritize other spots, but if there is a prospect you love, it still makes sense to grab a talented offensive tackle.

“I keep thinking about who Keim and Kliff would draft for us this year with the same capital, and believe they'd take MHJ without hesitation. Do you think the dogmatic fan fervor for Marv (and anger about possibly trading back) somewhat reflects old expectations from the Keim era?” – Sean

KO: Not really. He plays a glamour position and is seen by some as a generational wide receiver prospect. Fans are usually going to consider the most optimistic outcomes, and after years of Larry Fitzgerald in the desert, it’s easy to understand the clamoring regardless of regime.

If Ossenfort grades out MHJ as a superstar, he’s probably not going to move off the spot, so I think it’s more about his evaluation than anything.

"Would a three way trade be possible? Vikings get 4, Cards get 5 & 23, Chargers get 11, 27 & Vikings ‘25 pick. Is that realistic?” – Tony Fernz

KO: When I read this question I had no faith that a three-way trade proposal would be at all feasible, but… this kind of makes sense for everybody?

“Does monti feel the pressure not to select MHJ and that the fans will protest?” – Ozzy

KO: No offense to the terrific Cardinals fans out there, but I hope he doesn’t give one moment’s thought to potential backlash. It’s imperative to have a philosophy and stick with it, regardless of the noise.

The real pressure could come from ownership, because that’s harder to ignore.

“Will Oasis put their differences aside and reunite?” – CincoDeCinco

KO: I wish, but the word out on the street is that the fire in their hearts is out.

“Kyle what grade would u gave Monti as gm in year 2? So far I have not been impressed, now we don’t have WR1 or WR2 is bad strategy for Monti if he think his gonna draft one in the late rounds and expect to be ur WR1 in week one” – arizonasportfan

KO: It’s so ridiculously early that I shouldn’t answer this, but no mailbag question goes unanswered. I’d say a B-minus thus far. Did not love the Sean Murphy-Bunting or Justin Jones contracts, but liked many others, highlighted by Jonah Williams.

It would have been cool for the Cardinals to be ultra-aggressive and add a star with so many of them changing teams this offseason, but clearly Ossenfort doesn’t believe in that team-building strategy.

So in reality it’s an incomplete grade, really, until we get to 2025 and see if the Cardinals are finally be a legitimate player in the NFC. I can't take any longer than that.

“Should the Cardinals draft a RB to develop behind James Conner?” – Brandon Ray

KO: If you see someone in the late rounds, that’s fine, but there’s not much need to address that position on anything other than a year-to-year basis.

Any chance they go Nabers over MHJ?” – Matt Hahn

KO: I’d be shocked. MHJ is the type of dude you want to pair with Kyler Murray. But if they grade them out closely, that could affect a trade-down decision if the Giants are interested in moving up from 6.

“Diverging from the draft, shocking I know, any tips on how to get an accounting job with the team? Dream job!” – Andee Stewart

KO: Easier said than done, but if you are able to connect with people from that department on LinkedIn or wherever, that personal touch would help. As an aside, the accounting department might have been my favorite group in the building when I was there. Awesome people.

“Do you think the cardinals will bring back D Wash for some veteran LB depth?” – Kevin Donoho

KO: He would certainly have some fresh legs after this little 11-year break.