{"id":141342,"date":"2023-05-08T14:00:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T18:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=141342"},"modified":"2023-05-06T14:13:08","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T18:13:08","slug":"should-the-arizona-cardinals-draft-generational-quarterback-caleb-williams-in-the-2024-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/05\/08\/should-the-arizona-cardinals-draft-generational-quarterback-caleb-williams-in-the-2024-nfl-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Should the Arizona Cardinals Draft \u2018Generational\u2019 Quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/cardinals\/\" target=\"_self\">Arizona Cardinals<\/a> could have the chance to draft Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft. After manoeuvring the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-draft\/\" target=\"_self\">2023 NFL Draft<\/a> brilliantly, Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals acquired both a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/05\/01\/arizona-cardinals-2023-nfl-draft-review\/\" target=\"_self\">fantastic haul of rookies<\/a> as well as plenty of ammunition for next April.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AZCardinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#AZCardinals<\/a> had a very successful <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFLDraft<\/a> targeting premium positions and high character guys. Check out @LWOSsrivera&#39;s review and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LastWordOnNFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@LastWordOnNFL<\/a>&#39;s draft profiles in this thread:<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/b8GwwrqFWC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/b8GwwrqFWC<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/59KwOXHSWf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/59KwOXHSWf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Curtis Leung (@CurtisLeung6) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CurtisLeung6\/status\/1653362395094429698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cardinals traded down with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/texans\/\" target=\"_self\">Houston Texans<\/a> to acquire pick 12, pick 33, a 2024 first and a 2024 third. They then traded back up with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/lions\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Lions<\/a> to pick six and drafted <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/03\/10\/paris-johnson-jr-2023-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Paris Johnson Jr.<\/a> to be their <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/28\/arizona-cardinals-draft-paris-johnson-jr\/\" target=\"_self\">franchise tackle<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Through the trade with the Texans, the Cardinals now hold the Texans\u2019 2024 first-round pick as well as their own. According to multiple oddsmakers, Arizona and Houston are projected to have the two worst records in the NFL. Given the state of the Cardinals roster coupled with the Texans <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/28\/houston-texans-first-round-cj-stroud-defines-franchise-trajectory\/\" target=\"_self\">riding with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud<\/a>, there is a real chance that the Cardinals could have two top-10 picks in the next NFL Draft. Adam Schefter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yardbarker.com\/nfl\/articles\/the_power_of_two_first_round_picks_in_2024\/s1_17087_38759871#:~:text=In%20total%2C%20the%20Cardinals%20own,relief%20for%20fans%20across%20Arizona.\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">puts it best<\/a>: \u201cThe Arizona Cardinals could control the 2024 draft\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Many Cardinals fans already believe that the selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. is a foregone conclusion. Harrison is considered one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent history. Consequently, Arizona fans are keen for him to take the mantle from Larry Fitzgerald in the desert.<\/p>\n<p>What many fans have been missing, however, is the possibility that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/news\/2024-nfl-draft-ranking-teams-most-likely-to-land-usc-star-qb-caleb-williams-with-the-no-1-pick-next-year\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Arizona could select USC\u2019s Williams<\/a>. Williams is considered a \u2018generational\u2019 quarterback prospect. That term gets bandied around a lot, but it applies for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2022\/12\/11\/47290-2022-heisman-profile-caleb-williams\/\" target=\"_self\">2022 Heisman winner<\/a>. Many commentators have bunched him alongside the likes of <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/18\/2021-nfl-draft-trevor-lawrence-player-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Trevor Lawrence<\/a> and Andrew Luck (as prospects).<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">THE 2024 MOCK DRAFT SIM IS LIVE \u203c\ufe0f<\/p>\n<p>It&#39;s never too early to mock draft: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YXqHIJgiyj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/YXqHIJgiyj<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WhGaSYIJyD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/WhGaSYIJyD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; PFF (@PFF) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PFF\/status\/1652444672151699456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 29, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>The Arguments Surrounding Whether the Cardinals Should Draft Caleb Williams<\/h2>\n<p>If the Cardinals do not have the first overall pick, this is not even a discussion. They would have to be seriously dissatisfied with Kyler Murray if they are confident enough to trade up to the top pick to select Williams. And, as we saw this year with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Panthers<\/a>, trading up to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/03\/10\/bears-react-trade-panthers-dj-moore\/\" target=\"_self\">first pick is costly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The clear scenario where the Cardinals would grab Williams is if they had the first overall pick. But what about Murray? He would have to absolutely ball out for the Cardinals to trade away the first overall pick. However, if the Cardinals have the top pick, the chances are that Murray severely underperformed, or remains hampered by his knee reconstruction.<\/p>\n<p>Is Williams Better Than Murray? As prospects, it is not very close. Murray was an excellent prospect, well worthy of the first overall pick. However, Williams is on another level. He has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes already, due to his elite playmaking ability and ridiculous poise and accuracy.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the best prospect I&#39;ve ever scouted.<\/p>\n<p>He literally has everything you want in a superstar NFL quarterback. If someone is gonna be the next Patrick Mahomes, it&#39;s gonna be him.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/41GpCu1Pi4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/41GpCu1Pi4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SartiranaLuca\/status\/1653153403575345154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 1, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It is worth noting that the new regime have been ruthless about churning the roster. While the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/03\/26\/deandre-hopkins-trade-destinations-update\/\" target=\"_self\">DeAndre Hopkins<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/14\/5-trade-destinations-for-budda-baker\/\" target=\"_self\">Budda Baker<\/a> trade talks have <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/05\/02\/deandre-hopkins-trade-cardinals-bills-ravens-chiefs\/\" target=\"_self\">cooled<\/a>, players like <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/23\/isaiah-simmons-trade-destinations\/\" target=\"_self\">Isaiah Simmons<\/a> do not have long left in Arizona. It would be feasible for Murray to be next. With Williams on a cheap, four-year deal, Ossenfort would have much more liberty to reconstruct his roster.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this, there is also the scenario that Arizona elects not to move on from Murray if he plays very well. Given Ossenfort\u2019s willingness to trade down (and how well he did so in the 2023 NFL Draft), the Cardinals could get one of the biggest ever trade packages for the number one pick. It would likely include three first-round picks and a few young players.<\/p>\n<h2>What About Other Quarterbacks?<\/h2>\n<p>A lot of people have Williams and Drake Maye neck-and-neck. Both are phenomenal quarterbacks and either would have been the first overall pick in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, Williams is the better prospect. Like Murray did, Williams is learning under the quarterback whisperer, Lincoln Riley, and former Cardinals Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury. Williams is generally considered to be more athletic, with far superior playmaking ability. There is, however, a strong case to be made that Maye projects better into the NFL.<\/p>\n<p>The debate between Maye and Williams is certainly a legitimate one. Williams probably has the edge slightly. However, depending on how 2023 goes, Maye could also legitimately be QB1 in 2024.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Drake Maye is a baller.  <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NuCysDadQc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/NuCysDadQc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NickPenticoff\/status\/1653460569167413261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>But are we sleeping on <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/03\/clayton-tune-2023-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Clayton Tune<\/a>? It is an absurd proposition. However, Tune is the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/05\/05\/clayton-tune-believes-he-is-best-rookie-quarterback\/\" target=\"_self\">self-proclaimed best quarterback<\/a> from the 2023 NFL Draft. The fifth-round pick is full of confidence and attitude and could be the next Brock Purdy, <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/rookie-qb-years-purdy-164016014.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">according to Phil Simms<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>There is a strong chance that Tune plays this season due to Murray\u2019s rehab. His vast college experience makes him more NFL ready than expected. If Tune has a Purdy-esque season, that could be enough for Murray to get the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/01\/23\/five-potential-trey-lance-trade-destinations\/\" target=\"_self\">Trey Lance treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, a lot would have to happen for this scenario. Purdy was surrounded by swathes of talent, something that Tune does not have. And, while <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/02\/20\/what-drew-petzing-brings-arizona-cardinals\/\" target=\"_self\">Drew Petzing<\/a> comes from the Stefanski-Shanahan school of offense, he will not have the same success as Kyle Shanahan quite yet. As such, predicting Tune to step up as the franchise quarterback is unfounded.<\/p>\n<h2>What to do with Kyler Murray if Cardinals Draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye?<\/h2>\n<p>Should the Cardinals opt to go for Williams, what happens to Murray? The obvious answer is that he will be traded. It is rumoured that the Cardinals were ready to move on from Murray this off-season, with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yardbarker.com\/nfl\/articles\/report_cardinals_falcons_discussed_kyler_murray_trade\/s1_16655_38774472\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">deal<\/a> in place with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/falcons\/\" target=\"_self\">Atlanta Falcons<\/a>. That rumour has been quashed by many insiders but is certainly a sign of the times.<\/p>\n<p>With Murray back healthy next year, his trade value increases vastly. Depending on the timing of the trade, the Cardinals will likely get at least a first-round pick. If they deal Murray before the draft, it will be much more.<\/p>\n<p>But what about Murray\u2019s mega contract? The answer is simple. Murray\u2019s mega contract really is not as mega as people say. With <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/17\/jalen-hurts-signs-contract-extension\/\" target=\"_self\">Jalen Hurts<\/a> and Lamar Jackson getting absolutely mind-blowing deals, Murray\u2019s has fallen to the background. That will especially be the case once Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert receive their extensions.<\/p>\n<p>Should the Cardinals trade Murray next off-season, they would save $5.6 million in cap but incur $46 million in dead money. It is a lot, but not necessarily debilitating. Given the increasing salary cap, Ossenfort would be able to make it work. It is also the case that Arizona could alleviate some of that by negotiating with trade partners about sharing some of the dead money.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kyler Murray\u2019s QB contract has already dropped to the 5th highest. His extension doesn\u2019t kick in until this season.<\/p>\n<p>100% the correct move to pay the best homegrown QB the Arizona Cardinals organization has ever drafted. <\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s see K1 without inferior head coach restrictions. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zjlkjbor8Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/zjlkjbor8Q<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Alex Clancy (@ClancysCorner) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ClancysCorner\/status\/1653985390976708612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 4, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Should the Arizona Cardinals Draft \u2018Generational\u2019 Quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft? Caleb Williams is a name to watch for Cardinals fans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4198,"featured_media":141343,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[10073,10075,9789,10076,4674],"class_list":["post-141342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cardinals","tag-2024-nfl-draft","tag-caleb-williams","tag-clayton-tune","tag-drake-maye","tag-kyler-murray"],"modified_by":"Curtis Leung","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4198"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141342"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141342\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/141343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}