Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Draft guru reveals if Cardinals should draft Kyler Murray's replacement

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 12/5/23

The biggest question the Arizona Cardinals face this offseason is what to do with quarterback Kyler Murray. One draft guru relayed an intriguing plan.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. claims Arizona shouldn't draft Murray's replacement and should build around him instead.

"He's still a really good — and young (26) — quarterback," Kiper Jr. wrote of Murray. "If I was running the Cardinals, I'd take [Marvin Harrison Jr.] and give Murray a true No. 1 receiver. And if they did land the No. 2 pick, I'd figure out a deal with the team selecting at No. 3 — New England? — so it could get a quarterback and Arizona could still get Harrison."

Per Tankathon, the Cardinals (3-10) have the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and will select Harrison Jr. The Ohio State wideout has wowed this season. In 12 games, he's recorded 14 receiving TDs — tied for second in the FBS — and was recently named a Heisman finalist.

MARVIN HARRISON JR ⚡️ TOUCHDOWN! @MarvHarrisonJr pic.twitter.com/ayBhfHIgiV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 9, 2023

While Harrison Jr. is a marvelous prospect, it's unclear if Murray's still a franchise QB. The former No. 1 overall pick missed nine games after he tore his ACL in 2022 and has only completed 60.8 percent of his passes for three TDs, two interceptions and a below-average 81.7 passer rating in four starts upon returning.

However, not all of the Cardinals' problems fall on Murray. Arizona is 26th in the league in points scored (17.7) and 30th in points allowed (25.5).

While Arizona could try to trade the former Pro Bowler for more draft picks, his contract will probably dissuade potential partners. Murray is entering the second year of a five-year, $230.5M deal with $103.3M guaranteed.

It makes more sense for the Cardinals to give him one more chance and pair him with one of the top WRs in this draft class.

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