The Cardinals armed themselves with three additional picks from Rounds 1-3 in this draft by trading down early in Monti Ossenfort‘s first draft. Arizona sliding down helped Houston and Tennessee end up with Will Anderson Jr. and Will Levis last year. With the Cardinals not needing a quarterback, their No. 4 draft slot should be popular.
On that note, the Cards have been in discussions about moving No. 4. They have spoken to three teams about moving down, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes, adding a fourth club is expected to inquire about the selection. With three QBs likely to be off the board by No. 3, the Cardinals hold the gateway for a fourth, which would make this draft the first in NFL history to start QB-QB-QB-QB.
Given what we have heard about a few teams’ hopes in this draft, it is not too difficult to guess who the Cardinals have talked to about a trade. The Vikings have not made it a secret they are interested in moving up, having acquired an extra first-round pick to help them make a strong effort to find a long-term Kirk Cousins replacement. The Giants continue to talk up Daniel Jones confidence, but they have done extensive work on QBs.
Ditto Denver, which probably should still be considered a candidate to move up despite its low-cost Zach Wilson acquisition. The Raiders have been tabbed as being interested in Jayden Daniels; while a Daniels-Antonio Pierce reunion remains unlikely, Las Vegas may not be prepared to merely sit and wait until it goes on the clock at No. 13.
The Cards agreed to the deals with the Texans and Titans last year when they were on the clock; Ossenfort and Co. are not planning to change up their strategy this year. Arizona will not make a deal for No. 4 until it goes on the clock, Breer adds. Though, the team will hope to have trade parameters worked out ahead of that point. Teams regularly set up trades based on draft-board expectations, helping deals move across the goal line on draft night.
A move down would naturally benefit a rebuilding Cardinals team, with a future first-rounder — particularly if the Vikings (No. 11), Broncos (No. 12) or Raiders (No. 13) enter the fray — being automatic in a trade. More assets, based on what it cost the 49ers to climb from No. 12 to No. 3 for Trey Lance three years ago (two future first-rounders and a third), will likely be required. But the Cardinals are also not a lock to move this pick, adding more intrigue into these pre-draft talks.
Links to Marvin Harrison Jr. persist, with Breer adding many expect the Ohio State wide receiver to end up with the Cardinals if they stay at 4. The Cardinals hosted Harrison and were linked to staying at 4 and drafting him recently. This could depend on the quality of the offers the team receives, as other receivers — though, not ones on Harrison’s prospect level — will be available if the team moves out of the top 10.
A deal to slide out of No. 4 and then climb back up the board for a wideout could also be in the cards. The team made a similar move last year, moving from No. 3 to No. 12 and then back to No. 6, with Paris Johnson being the target. Adding prime assets for No. 4 this year would give the Cardinals that opportunity, if they are set on acquiring one of this draft’s top receivers. Teams are wondering if Arizona will take this route, and buzz about the Cardinals’ receiver interest has indeed surfaced over the past few days.
Trading out of 4 is a risky move.
Harrison, Nabers, Odunze could be gone if they trade outside the top 10 (Minnesota, Denver, Raiders).
Means theyll have to trade back into top 10 to grab a top receiver.
I feel like passing on Harrison at 4 means the Chargers would take him at 5. Unless they view all 3 top prospects equally, might be better to just get the guy you want. Trade downs typically result in getting solid but not great players, while passing on a great player.
I agree 100%, and it is why my mock has the Cards sticking with their #4. If the Cards trade out, then the Chargers automatically take Harrison, the NYG will be fairly happy to get Nabers, and the Bears will likely take Odunze.
I still think trading back is the right move, with the Cards maybe getting Bowers. But I think they are intent on drafting a premier WR to prove or disprove Murray.
Absolutely. They cannot go that far back because those 3 will all be gone very quick after the qbs
Unless they are trading JJ for a haul, if Minnesota drafts a WR in the top 10, they are incredibly dumb. Too many holes on that roster and no QB to go along with two top WRs
I like the idea of trading with Denver, after their trade with the Jets, Denver still does not have a starting QB. If the Cards do trade with Denver, they have to make sure CB Patrick Surtain is in the trade and picks coming to the Cards. I know they may miss out on the three WR but getting a shutdown corner would make the deal worth it since AZ needs CB’s also.
I don’t know what else will happen in this draft, but feel very certain/surtain Surtain being traded is not happening. They just value him too much (and I have a feeling they don’t value QBs 3-5 in this draft as much as rumor sites think they do.)
Do it Cards! Show your $200+M QB how much you don’t want him. Some teams just love to fail.
If they trade down, and back up to walk away with Nabers or Odunze and 2 extra first round picks I doubt anyone would consider that failing.
They have 6 picks in the top 100 and another at 104. Plenty to build with. If they want more picks for next year, fine. In fact, I think it’s great strategy. Every year, losing teams trade players. They would know where their weakness on the roster is and could build it up during the season to compete this year.
Like I said the other day, MHJ was widely considered the best player in the NCAA last year & no one doubted he was the #1 WR. Go get Kyler some real talent to work with.
From google: The Cardinals have recorded the most losses by a franchise in NFL history with 803 regular season losses as of 2023. The team’s all-time win–loss record (including regular season and playoff games) at the conclusion of the 2023 season was 596–826–41 ( 588–816–41 in the regular season, 7–10 in the playoffs).
Isn’t time for them to try to win?
I understand what you are saying about MHJ I think that’s a great move. But considering everything Ossenfort has said about being open for business it seems like they want to move down.
They have so many needs at so many places. Yeah they have 6 pick in the top 104 but this team is so devoid of talent it’s crazy.
They need, players at
Edge
DT
OLB
2CBs
Offensive Tackle
Gaurd or Center
WR
They should try to win but to be honest I don’t think they have the talent to win even they hit every draft pick this year
Valid points. But this is year 2 of the tandem. Back to back losing seasons usually never sits well w/ ownership. I guess they know that the old GM & HC are still on the books working in their favor.
I wonder if they even offered their 2nd for Burns like NYG did. He would have been great for them.
Maybe swap with Vikings and still get a WR threat
If you are drafting at 4 then it’s telling you that you need more than a WR to be a playoff team. They have needs everywhere and no better way to fill them by continuing to stockpile draft capital.
Finally…someone with some common sense
Sounds like Arizona is letting a 4th team know that they have a trade in place based on a player’s availability. IE: If player “XXX” is still on the board, team “XXX” has a deal with Arizona in place. You want the pick, meet our asking price.
So you’re “on the clock” poised to make a blockbuster trade that will transform the franchise into a powerhouse…and the cell service fails (which I think happened to some team in a draft some years ago). Oh well! There’s always next year!
That’s bad, but better than drafting a FB in the 1st round! Jet’s being themselves.
In 1987, the New York Jets drafted fullback Roger Vick in the 1st round, prompting the legendary “OH NO!” reaction from a fan when Pete Rozelle announced the pick. This is the story of why the Jets drafted him, the logic behind the move, and how his NFL career turned out
Why has it been determined that they “don’t need a QB?” I feel like there may be a valid counter-point here. Denver, NE, and Chicago all went into last year’s draft thinking they didn’t need a QB, and here we are.
Colts owner Jim Irsay to his GM Ballard to get Harrison Jr. GM better listen or he will be fired. If he trades for Harrison, he will be fired for giving up too much if it’s an extra 1st rounder PLUS.
GM is in a bad spot!
On his worst day, Chris Ballard would be lightyears better at spotting football talent than Jim Irsay. I don’t doubt that at some point Chris will get thrown under the bus by that clown owner in Indianapolis. Ballard will be able to get another GM job in about 5 minutes.
Trade with the Giants. Tell the NYGs whatever MN is offering you. As long as it is close, take it. They will still get either Harrison or Nabers. That should more than suffice for WR.