Cardinals' 2024 Draft: The 2-Year Results Thus Far
By Walter Mitchell
Once hailed as a "cleaning-up" type of haul by ESPN. the Cardinals' 2024 draft, as of today, the team's 2024 draft is chock-full of question marks and a plethora of underdeveloped talents.
Per Gennaro Filice, "Monti Ossenfort was able to sprinkle the roster with instant-impact prospects."
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-draft-grades-nfc-west-2024
Round 1: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (No. 4 overall)
Round 1: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri (27)
Round 2: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers (43)
Round 3: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State (66)
Round 3: Isaiah Adams, OL, Illinois (71)
Round 3: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois (82)
Round 3: Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College (90)
Round 4: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech (104)
Round 5: Xavier Thomas, OLB, Clemson (138)
Round 5: Christian Jones, OT, Texas (162)
Round 6: Tejhaun Palmer, WR, UAB (191)
Round 7: Jaden Davis, CB, Miami (226)
Last year, in his first draft at the helm, Monti Ossenfort established a reputation for wheeling and dealing even before making his first pick. Arizona’s general manager traded down from No. 3 overall to No. 12 and then vaulted back up to No. 6, where he finally selected Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr. In the lead-up to this year’s draft, Ossenfort publicly pronounced the Cardinals were open for business once again at No. 4. However, the GM ultimately stayed put and went right back to the football factory in Columbus, Ohio, enlisting the services of Buckeyes wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. You don’t always have to take the road less traveled, especially when a massive need is sitting right there, staring you in the face. Harrison’s name evoked a smorgasbord of glossy adjectives over the past year, from elite to transcendent to generational, which inherently attracted some skepticism during the exercise in overthinking that is the pre-draft process. Here’s what I see: a big-bodied true “X” receiver with All-Pro upside. That’s a rare commodity any team would want, especially one with a soon-to-be 27-year-old quarterback heading into a huge season as his cap hit triples. Home-run pick -- and I believe Ossenfort hit a bunch of singles and doubles in the remainder of the draft.
Making a whopping eight selections among the first 104 picks, Ossenfort was able to sprinkle the roster with instant-impact prospects. Scheme versatility is all the rage in modern defense, and over the three-day event in Detroit, Arizona snagged a trio of defenders offering that trait. First-round pick Darius Robinson is a “first off the bus” type as a physical specimen, and the 6-foot-5, 285-pounder’s ability to play all over the defensive line has earned him a best-case comp to Cam Jordan. Second-round corner Max Melton showcased inside/outside coverage ability as a four-year starter under Greg Schiano at Rutgers, then blew up the combine with an explosive workout. And Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, taken early in Round 4, has the range to play center field and the quick twitch to man the nickel. On the offensive side of the ball, the Cardinals added a home-run hitter to the backfield in Trey Benson, who’ll nicely complement veteran bruiser James Conner in the coming season.
Commentary:
Reading how effusive Gennero Filice was in his praise for Monti Ossenfort's "wheeling and dealing" and his ability to "hit a home run with a bunch of singles and doubles for a slew of instant-impact players" in this draft ---the real question two years later is --- whose fault is it that, to date, none of these 12 draft picks has been an instant impact player? Is it the fault of the scouting department? The coaches? The under-performing players themselves? Or all of the above?
Marv
Let's start with MHJ. People were insisting that it was "no big deal" that Marv Jr., per the wishes of Senior, elected not to participate in the NFL Combine (other than do interviews) or run for scouts at Ohio St.'s Pro Day. Then there was the Fanatics' "breach of contract" lawsuit which got ugly and never should have been a sticky situation in the first place.
If people want to continue to believe that MHJ's approach to the pre-draft process was "no big deal," that's fine but the fact that MHJ struggled so hard to get open on a consistent basis is a big deal, because here he is three years later, and the questions about his struggles in the NFL continue to linger.
The truth is --- as of right now --- even though MHJ was being hailed at the time as a "generational talent" --- he clearly was not the BPA for the Cardinals at #3. The rumor (confirmed by one of my sources) is there were coaches in the building who preferred Malik Nabers over MHJ. But Michael Bidwill made the pick in order to please the horde of Cardinals' fans who from the moment that Matt Prater missed two game-winning field goals shouted: "Tank for Marv."
What also made the pick a debatable point is that the wide receiver in Drew Petzing's tight end oriented smashmouth, play action offense is not a high priority. That's the reason why I argued that the most brilliant choice at #4 would have been TE Brock Bowers, whom Petzing could have played opposite Trey McBride in 12 and 13 personnel.
As I predicted, when MHJ became the pick, the presence of MHJ and the added pressure that was placed on Petzing, Kyler Murray and the offense to make Marv an instant-impact player was inevitably going to take the focus away from what Drew Petzing's offense does best.
Marv is an assiduous worker who intends to have a breakout year in the new system assuming MLF's Davante Adams role. His success to do so is likely dependent on some of the chemistry he started building with Jacoby Brissett last season (as evidenced by his dominant 1st half in the team's win over the Cowboys) before a host of injuries and a unfortunate bout of appendicitis got in his way.
But no matter who the QB is, in MLF's heavy 12 and 13 personnel system, the bulk of the touches will begin with the RBs, TEs and slot WR (with Michael Wilson assuming the Puke Nacua role). However, with an improved running game, where Marv could absolutely thrive in this offense is in the Red Zone where, with his size and ability to pin down leverage, he can win one-on-one matchups.
Darius
The problem with taking Darius Robinson at pick #27 was once again an issue of system fit. Darius is better suited to play 4-3 DE, not 3-4 DE. His serious calf injury in the pre-season as rookie, hampered his assimilation into the lineup. In 21 games with 12 starts and a total of 690 snaps, here are Darius Robinson's numbers to date:
53 tackles (19 solo, 34 assists)
5 TFLs
12 QB pressures
3 QB hits
2 sacks
40.1 2024 PFF grade
30.1 2025 PFF grade
What hurts the most about these numbers is that the Cardinals, in order to justify passing on Will Anderson Jr. in 2023 needed to cash in big-time with the 2024 1st round pick they acquired from the Texans.
Like Marv, Darius is a workout warrior and great teammate who intends to have his own breakout season this year. The question is whether he can, given that he is now playing for this 3rd DL coach in three seasons. Darius said yesterday that his knowledge of Nick Rallis' defense should enable him to think less and play much faster this season. One has to hope that new DL coach Pete Kwiatkowski can show Darius how to take advantage of his strengths.
Darius did, however, show flashes as a run defender down the stretch last season. Here is a very good video analysis of Darius' strengths and weaknesses by Ben Buettell:
https://x.com/ben_buettell_24/status/2074660882119045552?s=20
Max
The biggest issue with Monti's picking of Rutgers' CB Max Melton in round 2 at #41 was trading out of the original 2nd round pick at #35:
No. 35: Arizona → Atlanta (D). Arizona traded second- and sixth-round selections (35th and 186th overall) to Atlanta in exchange for second- and third-round selections (43rd and 79th overall)
Why? Four players whom the Cardinals missed out on between pick #35 and #41:
DT T'Vondre Sweat (TEN) --- 83.4
CB Cooper DeJean (PHI) --- 78.0
CB Kamari Lassiter (HOU) --- 79.8
DT Braden Fiske (LAR) --- 57.3 (but as a pass rusher in 2 seasons, Fiske has 109 QB pressures, 83 QB hurries and 16 sacks)
Meanwhile, despite the fact that Max Melton has the quickest feet of any CB on the roster and as such, has impressive man coverage skills, he has struggled in the Cardinals' soft zones both in coverage (56.1) and tackling (32.8). We at Red Rain blame the coaching for this. Max Melton's game is predicated on being ultra-aggressive. This defense is predicated on prioritizing "caution and cushion."
After Max Melton suffered a concussion versus the Jaguars in Week 12, he seemed to fall out of favor with the coaches and did not play another snap on defense for the rest of the season (5 games).
However, Nick Rallis said early into OTAs this year that he's seeing major improvements from Max thus far. Halleluiah.
It's hard not to wonder what the Cardinals' defense would have looked like with Cooper DeJean (or Kawami Lassiter) and Braden Fiske (or T'Vondre Sweat). Hopefully, we see the best of Darius Robinson and Max Melton this season, otherwise, the disparity, ability and fit-wise, between the talents that Monti passed on and the ones he drafted will only widen.
Round 3 Triple Down with Benson, Adams and Reiman
To me, Round 3 of this draft appeared to be a consolation prize for Drew Petzing for the Cardinals not drafting the best suited offensive player in the draft at pick #4, because the 3 offensive players whom Monti drafted (RB Trey Benson, G Isaiah Adams and TE Tip Reiman) were keen system fits in an effort to try to double (and triple) down on Petzing's 12 and 13 personnel smashmouth offense.
Two years later, the problem is --- Drew Petzing is gone --- Klayton Adams is two years removed --- and now Monti Ossenfort has drafted RB Jeremiyah Love and G Chase Bisontis, #1 and #2 in the 2026 draft, which essentially is an admission that neither Benson nor Adams are starting-caliber players they are depending on.
MLF has been raving about having Tip Reiman as his blocking TE --- but Coach will need to instill good habits, techniques and discipline in TR because:
2024: 17 games ---
Overall: 49.3
REC: 45.7
PBLK: 52.4
RBLK: 60.5
7 penalties
2025: 4 games ---
Overall: 45.8
REC: 44.4
PBLK: 46.9
RBLK: 56.4
1 penalty
Then after the Reiman pick --- another trade back
Arizona → Indianapolis (D). Arizona traded a third-round selection (79th overall) to Indianapolis in exchange for third- and sixth-round selections (82nd and 191st overall).
The irony is that the Colts' trade up pick at #78 G Matt Goncalves (65.6) has thus far outplayed Isaiah Adams (56.7) who was taken six picks by the Cardinals at pick #71.
Elijah
At pick #90, the other key 2024 pick acquired in the big Texans trade in 2023, Monti drafted his 4th CB in two years in Boston College's Elijah Jones.
Truth is --- Monti and the coaches decided to place Elijah Jones as a rookie on the season-ending IR before the season even began with an ankle injury. The price for over-drafting at one position?
Then, despite Jones' team-high grades in pass coverage during the 2025 pre-season, Nick Rallis did not play Jones at all, while playing other CBs like Darren Hall (51.1) and 2024 7th round pick Jaden Davis (53.1) ahead of him before finally playing Jones in Week 18 versus the Rams.
Jones answered the call big-time:
3 tackles --- 1/3 in coverage for 21 yards, 2 pass breakups with a 59.0 RTG for Matthew Stafford.
Elijah Jones finished the season with the Cardinals highest season grade of 82.4, highest tackling grade of all the CBs of 76.7 and by far the highest coverage grade of all the CBs of 83.0.
Can't blame him for the small sample size.
Yet, of the 2026 53-Man Roster Projections from Cardinals' pundits that have been posted thus far, neither Darren Urban (azcardinals.com) nor Theo Mackie (azcentral.com) expects Elijah Jones to make the team.
Context of Elijah Jones not making the 2926 Cardinals roster ---for a defense that came in #32nd in tackling and #27 in pass coverage in 2025.
Go figure.
Trade Winds Up:
This closes out the infamous 2023 Trade between the Texans and Cardinals.
Round 4: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech (104)
Rabbit could well be the best value pick of this draft, especially if he can give the Cardinals a slot CB who can cover Nacua, Smith-Njigba and McCaffrey --- that is if they finally intend to man up on these All-Pros.
Round 5: Xavier Thomas, OLB, Clemson (138) - cut
Round 5: Christian Jones, OT, Texas (162)
Had an unfortunate knee injury last season and now appears to be a practice squad candidate. He had a wonderful senior season as Texas' starting RT and turned in an impressive Senior Bowl performance. He was imo a 5th round steal. Yet, with the Cardinals still looking for an answer at RT, will they actually give Christian Jones a fighter's chance?
Round 6: Tejhaun Palmer, WR, UAB (191)
With the UFA signings of Kendrick Bourne, Simi Fehoko and Devin Duvernay, plus the Cardinals drafting of Reggie Virgil in Round 5 this year, it appears that Tejhuan Palmer has a slim chance to make the roster in this his 3rd season. He's a big-sized slot whose got sneaky speed and athleticism.
Round 7: Jaden Davis, CB, Miami (226)
Jaden is slot CB and special teams' gunner, the 5th of the seven CBs that Monti has drafted, who may not be fast or agile enough to cover the likes of Nacua, JSN or CMC. He's feisty and energetic and should likely stick on the practice squad as an occasional call up for special teams.
"The Longest Slow-Burn Rebuild Imaginable" (Brett Kollmann regarding the Cardinals' 2023 to present)
When, on Day 1 and Day 2 of recent NFL drafts, a team's GM starts drafting what he considers to be upgrades over former Day 1 and Day 2 draft picks at positions he recently selected, that usually creates a longer term rebuild.
Combined PFF grades and starts for NFC West 2024 Draft Picks in 2025:
ARI
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (68.4) - 12
DE Darius Robinson (30.1) - 12
CB Max Melton (49.1) - 8
RB Trey Benson (62.3) - 1
G Isaiah Adams (56.7) - 11
TE Tip Reiman (45.8) - 3
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (59.9) - 4
Total Starts: 52
Pro Bowlers: 0
LAR
ED Jared Verse (80.8) - 17
DT Braden Fiske (57.3) - 16
RB Blake Corum (78.5) - 0
S Kamren Kinchens (78.0) - 8
Total Starts 42
Pro Bowlers: Jared Verse
SF
WR Ricky Pearsall (71.6) - 9
CB Renardo Green (54.3) - 14
G Dominic Puni (69.2) - 17
S Malik Mustapha (62.0) - 10
Total Starts: 50
Pro Bowlers: 0
SEA
DT Byron Murphy II (72.8) - 17
LB Tyrice Knight (78.8) - 4
TE A.J. Barner (74.6) - 17
Total Starts: 38
Pro Bowlers: 0
Reminder: 3 of these team have veteran head coaches and coaching staffs.
Hopefully, with the veteran coaches whom MLF added to the staff, we will see stronger graded and player developments.
Do you think messers Hackett, Moreland, Sorrentino, Austin, Kwaitkowski, Wilson, Etheridge and Ghobrial can make a world of difference?
I am hoping they can have a profound influence.
Personally, I believe the talent has not been developed by our previous coaching staff. The talent has been there. I questioned the list of rookies that had to go on IR before season began as way to stash those rookies without taking a roster spot basically giving most of our rookies a redshirt season to be developed without coaching or simply making statement that our rookies were not better then the veterans they already had at position. Putting players in doghouse was the norm, meanwhile our tackling grades went from good, to bad, to worst. This all (to me at least) point to a problem of coaching. I sincerely hope the new coaching assistants can change this narrative. But I also feel the retaining of Rallis does not bode well for the defensive side of ball.
ReplyDeleteON to Monti roster building - poor draft record overall. Redrafting positions is always a set-back and Monti has redrafted the same position multiple times and tried to fix weaknesses with FA that (barring C. Campbell) have largely been ineffective and not been roster 'keepers'. Every off-season under Monti's tenure we've hoped for improvement on 'worst roster in league' only to find players are under-developed or just don't fit scheme (I recall questioning whether we were moving to 4-3 defense after draft of Robinson as example). Taking Melton over DeJean, Lassiter, McKinstry was questionable and proven mistake. Even at draft time many of us had the same bewildering questions, now with 2 years in we see this draft call as a failure by all counts. Yet, Monti and Rallis still hold their positions despite facts that they have both failed the organization. Monti can blame talent evaluations team and I'm certain he would, but not one of his drafts in hindsight warranted an "A" more like "D" no matter how excited we get with the picks. Monti is the GM he is accountable for his drafts and coaching staff. To me Monti's tenure is worse the Keim. No results!