The Cardinals have been at the center of the NFL draft conversation for weeks, sitting at the top of the league with the most picks (six) within the first 90 selections of the draft. There's a lot of areas the Cardinals will look to address through the draft. General manager Monti Ossenfort's first draft was a success, adding multiple full-time starters and role players that played meaningful snaps. He will look to replicate that performance when the Cardinals are on the clock. Before the draft kicks off on April 25th, let's take a look at each position group and see how the Cardinals may use the draft to evaluate their needs.
Primer schedule: RB April 11; OL April 12; CB April 15; ILB April 16; Edge April 17; S April 18; DL April 19
Draft primer: Tight end
Players under contract: Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Travis Vokolek, Blake Whiteheart, Bernhard Seikovits
Need: Low
The Cardinals' situation: When offensive coordinator Drew Petzing discussed his offensive scheme, it was clear that the tight end position would be heavily utilized. Multiple personnel packages last season featured two and three tight ends at a time. Second-year tight end Trey McBride excelled throughout the 2023 season as he broke multiple records and Elijah Higgins saw more action as the season progressed. Adding in Travis Vokolek, Blake Whiteheart, and Bernhard Seikovits, the room is very young.
The draft class: Brock Bowers, the 6-foot-4 target out of Georgia is without question the top tight end in the draft. With all of the hype surrounding the wide receivers and quarterbacks, Bowers has been overlooked, but the three-time All-America is an incredible talent. Depending on how the draft board falls, he could be one of the only tight ends selected in the first round. There are a handful of day two prospects that could make an impact in the NFL as well.
The conclusion: Considering how well McBride played in 2023, it wouldn't come as a surprise to see the Cardinals pass on a tight end in the draft. The youth in the room suggests they would benefit from a veteran signing. However, having 11 picks at the organizations disposal gives Ossenfort the opportunity to draft best player available. That could be a tight end, especially towards the back half of the draft.
A look at some of the top tight ends entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) scores the winning touchdown during the second half of an NCAA football game against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (0) makes a catch over BYU safety Crew Wakley (38) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Ohio State tight end Cade Stover plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
*Penn State tight end Theo Johnson (84) breaks away from Maryland defensive back Beau Brade (25) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott (34) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southeast Missouri State Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Iowa tight end Erick All (83) breaks a tackle by Michigan State defensive lineman Simeon Barrow Jr. (8) during a 13-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Colorado State tight end Dallin Holker (5) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Illinois tight end Tip Reiman catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Tommy DeVito during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell (6) catches a pass in front of Duke's Brandon Johnson (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner (89) celebrates a first down reception against UNLV in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
