Ask Odegard: Should the Cardinals Double Down on Offense in the First Round of the Draft?

Three games left until this season comes to a merciful end and we can look toward next year.

Ah, who am I kidding. We’ve been looking to 2024 for months.

Here is the mailbag, led off by draft and free agency questions.

“What do you think is the best use of the Texans pick? I assume the first pick will be MHJ or blue chip tackle, so do you double down on offense or go defense?” Motivational Beaker

“If for any reason we don't get mhj what is the likely hood we take nabers , Coleman ,or obeka” – Cardinal Charles

Kyle Odegard: The Cardinals dropped to last in the NFL in defensive efficiency after getting walloped by the 49ers, and everyone knows that side of the ball needs a lot of help.

Yet… I still might double down on offense in the first round.

As my good friend Motivational Beaker said, offense feels like the move with the top-5 pick. Marvin Harrison, Jr. makes a bunch of sense at 3, and if the Cardinals slide a bit or trade down, then Olu Fashanu or Joe Alt comes into play.

The Eagles’ dominant offensive line made an impression on Jonathan Gannon when he was in Philly, and the Cardinals’ new head coach has spoken privately about replicating that.

If it’s Harrison with the first pick, I think cornerback or edge rusher is more likely with the Houston selection, just because there are so many of them mocked in that range.

But if it’s an offensive tackle first, color me intrigued about the double down. The Cardinals would still badly need a perimeter weapon, and Nabers, Coleman and Egbuka could all fit that bill.

“One realistic FA player on each side of the ball. Thanks.” -- Andrew James

KO: I mentioned Mike Evans in my wide receiver analysis earlier in the week and I could see that, especially if teams are wary to give him too much money at age-30.

He would represent a big upgrade at receiver, giving you a No. 1 in case Marvin Harrison, Jr. does not end up being selected.

I think cornerback is a no-brainer on defense. Maybe someone like Chidobe Awuzie? Tough to know, but I could see those positions being major focuses in free agency.

“What is your thought on the “Receivers aren’t getting open” vs “Kyler isn’t seeing them” debate. Is it a quarterback or receiver issue? Which lends it to, what happened to the receiving core (minus McBride) when Kyler came back?” - AZSalcido

“Why has the passing game been so terrible (sans our boi McBride)? Injuries don't help, but is it just lack of separation? Size? Lack of a true WR1 having people out of position? Pressure? Kyler himself?” – Yuppie Abroad

KO: I haven’t pored through the All-22, but from watching the games live and reading up on some advanced stats about separation, it does seem to be a wide receiver issue.

The Hollywood Brown injury is the biggest reason why this is happening now, as he can’t separate like he does when healthy. I’m not sure Michael Wilson or Rondale Moore showed that ability before Kyler returned. 

Kyler’s height can affect his vision in the pocket, so I won’t act like that’s not a factor, but we’ve seen him hit wideouts like DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk consistently when they get away from defenders, so I think it’s a wide receiver problem.

“Where does Kyler Murray and Trey McBride rank among the best QB-TE duos in the NFL right now? What’s the ceiling of this pair?” – Cody Marmon

KO: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are still the clear No. 1 duo. Brock Purdy and George Kittle come in at No. 2 for me, but you can already argue that Kyler and McBeast are No. 3 in the NFL.

Based on what Murray has shown throughout his career and what we’ve seen from McBride since becoming the starter, the ceiling feels extremely high. Kyler has always been happy to flood top pass-catchers with targets, so McBride could be in for a huge 2024 if this ascension continues.

He’s already playing like a Pro Bowler and could become a top-3 tight end as soon as next season.

“After the card’s first pick, what areas do you expect us the tackle the most for the rest of the draft?” – DBook’s Groin

KO: If Marvin Harrison is the first pick, I think it’s going to be heeavvvyyyy defense the rest of the way. The Cardinals need edge rushers, defensive tackles and cornerbacks, the three most important positions on defense, and I expect Monti Ossenfort to target those spots early and often.

The offensive line could also be addressed but I think Arizona will leave the draft with more defensive additions than offensive ones.

“Why is Pascal still starting at WR? He’s done nothing all season. Dortch is great …I just don’t get why Pascal is even on the team. SF game he showed no effort, dropped passes and is a liability. Thoughts on why Pascal and why Dortch isn’t used more at WR?” – Scott Bailly

KO: Pascal was filling in on the outside for Hollywood Brown, but yeah, he has been abysmal this season, with 19 receiving yards on 15 targets. He has shown nothing on offense and the Cardinals can save $1.9 million by cutting him after the year.

This was one of Monti Ossenfort’s rare free agent whiffs this offseason.

“how can i get a girlfriend” – Juveholics

KO: You are asking someone who was, uh, not exactly great with the ladies back in the day, but here’s my advice: just look to make solid connections with girls by learning about their interests, hobbies, etc. If you have similar interests, you’ve gained a friend. If there is chemistry beyond that, you may have gained something more.

“Is the CB room a high priority?” – Adam

KO: Extremely high. Garrett Williams will start next year, whether that be in the slot or outside, but you still need two more cornerbacks. At this point, I don’t think there is another starter on the roster. It would be great to find a high-end cover man but the bare minimum is to find a pair of capable starters to pair with Williams, Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker in the secondary.

“What’s your assessment of Drew Petzing in year 1? We were expecting a mixture of Browns, 49ers, and Eagles offense but it doesn’t feel like we got it this year. – Jalen KwaMane

KO: I’ve been happy with him. I agree that the offense has been a bit muddled, but that’s probably to be expected with all the quarterback changes, the personnel shortcomings, the wide receiver injuries, etc. The Cardinals are averaging 4.9 yards per carry, which is No. 3 in the NFL, and that’s been encouraging.

The passing attack has been a wasteland and Arizona needs to do a lot to fix that for 2024, but Petzing seems like a bright guy who knows how to play to his strengths. I’m excited to see him next year when everything is more settled.

“Being a fan of the Cardinals has become unbearable. Do you care to predict how many returning starters we will have in '24 on both sides of the ball? – Eric

KO: On offense I’ll go with Trey McBride, Paris Johnson, Kyler Murray, Will Hernandez, Hjalte Froholdt, James Conner, D.J. Humphries and Hollywood Brown. (I struggled with those last two.)

On defense I’ll go with Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Garrett Williams, Kyzir White, B.J. Ojulari and Dante Stills.

“You may have already addressed this, but do you think the club will run it back with Conner and Carter in 24 or use draft capital on the RB position?” – Grant Finley

KO: I think the running back room is just fine, with Emari Demarcardo also impressing in his stints. Spend the resources elsewhere.

“What did u ask from Santa?” – Chase

KO: To pre-assemble all the toys he is sending my two-year-old twins.

“What’s the Cardinals Cap money looking like going into the 24 offseason and do you see the Cardinals being aggressive in free agency?” – Paul F

KO: They have $56 million in cap space, plus a good chunk that will roll over from 2023, so it’s more like $65 million. And, yes, I have to imagine Michael Bidwill is sick of losing at this point and will push GM Monti Ossenfort to make some moves and get this team back to competitiveness.

With a talented quarterback in his prime, it’s a realistic goal.

“Given Zaven’s performance this season as an Edge Rusher, do you call it a day and move him back to Middle Linebacker or do you give him another season at Edge? Also, do you think this was his last chance and hes on the cutting room floor next season?-- Carlos Macias

KO: I’d probably move him back since the lack of pass-rush ability is so glaring. The most ideal outcome would be a trade to save $2 million on the cap and get back a late pick, but I’m not sure he has any trade value.

“Any possibly PJJ could get moved back to LT next season considering he’s been horrendous at RT this year” – ayojstfu

KO: I don’t think he’s been horrendous, but Paris’ future position is going to be a big topic this offseason. How much more comfortable is he on the left side, and what does that mean for D.J. Humphries? Will the Cardinals take another blue-chip prospect at the top of Round 1?

There is a lot to figure out, but to answer your question, it’s certainly possible Paris plays left tackle next season.

“Let's say we somehow end up with the #2 pick, what changes in your mind then? Trade down or take a QB?” – zacalsicous

KO: Drake Maye didn’t show me enough this year to take him, which would in turn cost a significant chunk of cap space to trade Kyler Murray, and would mean missing out on Marvin Harrison, Jr.

Drafting Maye means at least another year or two of a rebuild, and that’s a long time to be bad in the NFL. I could see sticking there and taking MHJ or, ideally, trading down with a desperate team, adding picks and getting an OT a few picks later.