Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner will announce the team’s second-day draft picks on April 24 from the stage in Pittsburgh, according to an announcement made on Apr. 15. The NFL Draft is being held this year in Pittsburgh, which is also Conner’s hometown and where he attended the University of Pittsburgh.
Conner’s participation highlights a recent tradition of former and current players announcing their teams’ selections during the draft. The Cardinals currently hold the second pick in the second round (34th overall) and the first pick of the third round (65th overall), but these could change if General Manager Monti Ossenfort makes any trades.
The NFL has featured former players as pick announcers for several years. Last year, Patrick Peterson took on this role for Arizona, while other legends such as Leonard Davis, Karlos Dansby, Adrian Wilson, Roger Wehrli, and Aeneas Williams have also announced picks for the team. Conner will become only the second active player to announce picks at an NFL Draft for Arizona; Kelvin Beachum did so when he announced Rondale Moore’s selection in 2023. Other active players like Mack Wilson Sr., Hjalte Froholdt, and Roy Lopez have announced selections internationally or are scheduled to do so this year.
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional football team competing in the NFC West division according to their official website. The franchise serves the greater Phoenix area and hosts its home games in Glendale, Arizona according to their official website. The team captured an NFC championship in 2008 according to their official website and stands as the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in the United States according to their official website.
As Conner returns home for this eventful occasion with both personal significance and league tradition behind it, fans will be watching closely to see which new talents join one of football’s most historic franchises.