Ask Odegard: Trade Up Options If The Cardinals Trade Down From 4?

We are mercifully getting closer to the NFL draft, but it’s not here yet.

Good news: Once you are done reading this mailbag, the draft will be five minutes closer.

“If the Cards take a MIN offer (11, 23 and 2025 pick), what are the options to jump back up like last year?” BSB

Kyle Odegard: I don’t think I’ve ever actually hit on this topic, which is a small miracle considering the exhaustive draft analysis to this point, and it’s a good question.

To recap, the Cardinals received No. 12, No. 33, a 2024 1st and a 2024 3rd in exchange for No. 3 and No. 105 last year. Then they gave up No. 12 and No. 34 to get No. 6.

So it seems pretty clear that they can jump right back up into the top-10 with No. 11 and a later pick, if that’s ultimately the decision.

But I want to make two points.

A) It takes two to tango, so any trade down with the intention of trading back up is risky, not knowing if another team has a certain prospect in mind.

B) I don’t think the Cardinals will get Marvin Harrison, Jr. if they trade down initially.

The common idea is trading down from 4 and then back up to 5, but if J.J. McCarthy goes 4, I think it’s going to be very, very hard to get the Chargers off the fifth pick.

Yes, Jim Harbaugh is the coach and he likes smashmouth football, but Harrison, Jr. is incredible value at No. 5.

Obviously the Cardinals won’t offer the three first-round picks after getting them from Minnesota, and anything less than that would not move the meter for me if I’m the Chargers.

They have a star quarterback and an absolute black hole on the receiver depth chart, so I think that team would be absolutely thrilled to take MHJ at 5.

If that’s how the draft unfolds, I also think the Giants stand pat at 6 and take Malik Nabers, who also fills a massive need.

So then you are talking about trading back up for Rome Odunze. The Falcons make all the sense in the world as a partner, and it wouldn’t be cost-prohibitive.

I could see a deal of No. 11 and No. 35 for the No. 8 pick and some change.

So it comes down to this: Would you prefer Rome Odunze, No. 23 and the 2025 Minnesota first, or Marvin Harrison, Jr. and 35?

I’m still standing pat and taking MHJ.

"Which of the top 3 WRs in the draft is the best fit for the cardinals in terms of scheme fit and Kyler’s playstyle? (I actually think Rome, but i would still draft MHJ)” – Scott Kilgrim

KO: I can see why you say Rome because of his contested-catch ability, and that mirrors the success Kyler had with DeAndre Hopkins. But Harrison, Jr. has that too, and I think he’s the superior route-runner and does a better job at getting open, which is key in the NFL.

One other thing I like about MHJ: He has a sixth sense at finding space during quarterback scrambles. For whatever reason, the Cardinals have not consistently taken advantage of those scramble drills during Kyler Murray’s career, and doing so could result in some huge plays.

“Is there a chance that the Vikings traded for 23 without already having a trade-up deal in place? Seems like you only acquire 23 if you KNOW you’re using it to move up to a specific spot for your QB…” – Corbin Barrels

KO: Minnesota might have flubbed this, eh? There aren’t even whispers that there is a deal in place, and if the Vikings don’t end up getting McCarthy, that’s a massive whiff.

Maybe they looked at the trade chart and felt confident the two first-rounders could get something done, but that may not be the case.

“If we draft MHJ (or any of the top 3 WRs) where do you think that leaves the WR room? Complete, or a late rounder or vetern needed? Any suggested cheap vet names out there?” – Barry

KO: It’s in pretty good shape if you draft one of those three. I’m happy with MHJ, Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch, especially knowing that Trey McBride is the true No. 2 receiving option at tight end. 

I could see them drafting a slot receiver later since Dortch may not be a long-term piece, but the heavy lifting would be finished.

“Where do you rank KD out of current NBA players. Top 5? Top 10?” – Connor Langpap

KO: Still a great player, obviously, but I don’t think we can legitimately put him in the top-5 anymore. Maybe top-10, but it’s a young man’s game and KD is 35. Top-15 is probably the correct answer at this point.

That’s why it’s such a shame that the Suns have been a borderline train wreck this season. The championship window is only going to get smaller as his game continues to deteriorate.

“Will Cardinals make the playoffs this year?” – AZHeat

KO: You know, probably not, as they have -450 odds to miss them at DraftKings, which is the third-worst in the NFC behind the Panthers and Giants.

The schedule is tough and the division is rough, but with Kyler leading the way and an intriguing offense, the +330 odds to make the postseason is intriguing to me. This group could surprise.

“How much does it suck knowing the judgment against the cardinals is going to cost us a pick and we’ll find out right as the draft starts…again? A. A bunch. Poor monty building through the draft yet loosing picks” – Luke Stevens

KO: You reap what you sow. An arbitrator ruled that the Cardinals used burner phones to contact Steve Keim, and if the NFL docks them for cheating, they have no one to blame but themselves.

I’ve said previously that the defamation penalty likely won’t affect the draft pick situation, but I don’t know what will happen with the burner phone issue.

Don’t lie to the public and the league next time, and you won’t have things like this hanging over your head.

“If the Cardinals do get 3 1st round picks from the Vikings, who are you picking at 11, 23 and 27 if you were the GM? And also could you see the Cardinals moving back in the 1st round to get another player on the fifth year option?” – dbook_suns

KO: I would trade up and get Rome Odunze because I don’t think he makes it to 11.

At 23 I’d love Laiatu Latu if he is still on the board, while an interior lineman like Jackson Powers-Johnson would also intrigue. The 27th pick would be influenced by 23, but I’d consider guys like Chop Robinson and Kool-Aid McKinstry there.

The fifth-year option doesn’t constitute huge savings anymore outside of quarterback, so that won’t be a factor.

“What do you think the chances are of New England taking MHJ at 3, or trading with someone else that takes MHJ at 3? This to me would be heartbreaking. And meaning we (AZ) may have to quickly retool at 4?” - TP

KO: I’m pretty confident in saying that quarterbacks will go 1-2-3. It feels like Harrison, Jr. will be available for the Cardinals if they want him.

“Let's say the Cardinals want to trade pick no. 4. How does MO manage 4/5 teams calling at the same time on draftnight with differing offers (Den/LV/MIN/NYG) where you might also want to have them outbid each other? What would be a good strategy here to get the best deal possible?” – Rob Langeland

KO: There will be a lot of leg-work prior to the draft, and picking so high up, there isn’t a ton of variance that will go on in the three picks prior. So I don’t think there will be a bunch of bidding when the Cardinals are on the clock.

If you do have multiple teams calling, it will undoubtedly take some quick math and communication among the staff to figure out the best deal. But they have been preparing for this for months, so they will know the prospective deals well in advance.

And if a team comes in and offers the moon, it will be a pretty obvious move to make.

“What are your favorite prospects in this draft for filling the left guard position?” – Watermelon Supporter

KO: First off, thank you for your support of watermelons. An underrated fruit that gets overshadowed by the apples and bananas of the world.

To be honest with you, though, I don’t know a bunch about the guards. Cooper Bebe is spoken about a lot and maybe he is an option on Day 2, but I have no clue if that would actually be a good pick.

“A report came out saying the Cardinals would want at least 3 1sts for the 4th pick? Is this 3 1sts + some later picks? Or straight up? Do you think this makes it more likely the Cardinals stay at 4 and pick MHJ?” -- AMNFL_Andy

KO: I’ve hit on this before and I feel like that number is indeed the tipping point. It’s a non-starter to offer 11 and 23 for 4. If you do 11, 23 and the 2025 1st, it’s a discussion. And if the Vikings offer those three 1sts and more, then the Cardinals will probably pull the trigger.

“What’s the gut saying for how the cards go in the draft??” – Dave Thomas

“Do you think we’re gonna take MHJ or do something else like trade back?” – Jnorland23

KO: Went long on this last mailbag.

“Who is your favorite day 2/3 prospect that would be a great fit for the Cardinals?” – Jordan Laube

KO: If Xavier Worthy drops to 35, I’m interested. An expected quartet of MHJ, McBride, Wilson and Dortch is solid, but it does lack elite speed.

Worthy would bring that vertical threat that is missing in this offense. The Texas wideout has flaws, but he would fill a very specific need and possibly supercharge the Cardinals.

It would be a luxury pick, for sure, but one I would consider.

"Why can’t the draft come sooner?” – CDosss

KO: It feels like we moved along fine through the end of March, with the playoffs, Super Bowl and free agency. But, yeah, April has been a slog. I’m on board to move it up two weeks.

“Kyle, with only three OL under contract past 2024, will MO take an OL early. The teams MO has worked for historically have not invested early capital in OL. Thx.” – AndrewJames

KO: I think he will take a hard look at interior offensive linemen, and even tackles if there is a prospect that jumps out. Between injuries and the ability to move guys around, it’s always good to flood that position.

“If not Marv who is our number 1 target” – Charles Mendoza

KO:  Not sure if you mean in the passing game or in the draft, so I’ll be a mensch and answer both.

In the passing game, it would be Malik Nabers/Trey McBride/Rome Odunze in that order. If Marv is not the No. 1 target in the draft, I think a trade-down will happen with eyes on coming back up for Odunze.

“What the f— is a mailbag” – Victor Donough

KO: A bag with mail in it.