TEMPE, Ariz. -- The 2024 NFL draft (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) began Thursday night in Detroit and goes through Saturday. The Arizona Cardinals are scheduled to make 11 of the draft's 257 picks, beginning with the No. 4 selection of the first round on Thursday night.
ESPN will provide pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Cardinals' selections as they are made.
A look at each of Arizona's scheduled selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 4 overall: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
My take: In a lot of ways, staying at No. 4 and drafting Harrison was the only way to go for the Cardinals. They needed a true WR1 who could have an immediate impact on the offense, and Harrison is that guy. He'll give quarterback Kyler Murray an elite target to round out as good of an offensive core as the Cardinals have had in years. The Cardinals saw a glimpse of what their offense could be late in the season and adding Harrison to that mix could be the missing ingredient.
Will he start as a rookie?: Yes. He'll enter the offseason program as the Cardinals' WR1 and will be be the X receiver from Day 1. He will work the boundary for Drew Petzing's offense, utilizing his size and hands to maneuver along the sideline.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: It fills a massive hole for the Cardinals, who haven't had a true WR1 since DeAndre Hopkins and a great young receiver since Larry Fitzgerald 20 years ago. Offensively, Harrison will be a threat one-on-one but will also command enough attention from defenses that Arizona's other receiving threats -- Michael Wilson, Trey McBride and Greg Dortch, among others -- will instantly benefit.
Check out some of the top highlights from Missouri DE Darius Robinson.
Round 1, No. 27 (from Houston Texans): Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
My take: Arizona needed help getting to the quarterback and Robinson will contribute to that. The Cardinals are coming off a season with just 33 sacks, their fewest since 2010, so addressing their pass rush was a priority heading into the draft. Robinson can play inside and outside, giving him enough versatility to stay on the field for all three downs (coach Jonathan Gannon raved about this after drafting him), but he'll likely play inside for Arizona. He's still raw in some ways, such as with his moves, but with how much emphasis the Cardinals have put on the defensive front this season, Robinson could come in and start while also having a chance to learn from a deep defensive line room.
Key stat: When Robinson moved to edge rusher for his last season at Missouri, he doubled his pressure rate from 6% to 13%, which was the sixth-best in the SEC, according to ESPN Stats and Information. He finished with 8.5 sacks and 35 pressures, each the fourth-most in the SEC last season.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: Both. After re-signing defensive lineman L.J. Collier, the Cardinals signed three more defensive linemen in free agency. Adding Robinson gives them more depth up front but also addresses a need at pass-rusher.
What's next: Arizona still needs to address cornerback and offensive line, but general manager Monti Ossenfort expects to hear from a number of teams who want to move up to the top of the second round on Friday. With the likes of cornerback Cooper DeJean, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, wide receiver Keon Coleman, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell still on the board, at least a few will be available when Arizona goes on the clock.
Watch some of Max Melton's best plays at Rutgers.
Round 2: No. 43 (from Atlanta Falcons): Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
My take: The Cardinals let some of the draft's top cornerbacks go off the board before taking Melton, who will join a young cornerbacks room. At 5-foot-11, Melton has the quickness to be enter the fray rather quickly. He's one of two defensive backs to run a sub-4.3 40 at the NFL combine. But Arizona needed help at corner and Melton will provide that in some way, shape or form. He has a nose for the ball with eight picks in the last three seasons and -- if needed -- he can play special teams, where he blocked three kicks in 2022.
Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole?: This is another pick that fits both. The Cardinals needed help at cornerback after giving up 32 passing touchdowns [30th in the NFL] and a 69% completion percentage to wide receivers (31st in the league) last season. Melton will have stiff competition to win a starting job; Sean Murphy-Bunting, Kei'Trel Clark and Garrett Williams are all either returners or signed this offseason and expected to be in the mix for a starting job.
Round 3: No. 66
Round 3: No. 71 (from Tennessee Titans)
Round 3: No. 90 (from Houston Texans)
Round 4: No. 104
Round 5: No. 138
Round 5: No. 162 (from Houston Texans)
Round 6: No. 186 (from Minnesota Vikings)
Round 7: No. 226 (from New York Giants)