Arizona Cardinals News & Rumors

Cardinals Acquire No. 6, Select Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.

April 27th, 2023 at 7:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

After trading out of the No. 3 pick, the Cardinals are moving back up. Arizona has acquired the No. 6 pick (along with No. 81) from the Lions, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that Detroit will receive picks No. 12, No. 34, and No. 168.

The Cardinals will use their newfound selection on Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

We heard that Arizona was considering a trade down in pursuit of an offensive lineman. It took multiple trades to get there, but the Cardinals ultimately got their way, selecting one of the draft’s top O-line prospects.

After playing sparingly through his first two collegiate seasons, Johnson took on a larger role in 2022, appearing in 13 games for Ohio State. The 6-6, 315-pound blocker was charged with only a pair of sacks this past season, and Pro Football Focus gave him one of the highest grades (88 overall) at his position. As a result of his performance, Johnson earned a consensus All-American nod after the season.

The Cardinals surrendered 46 sacks last season, leaving open the possibility of improving their pass protection during the draft. By virtue of this pair of moves, new general manager Monti Ossenfort has landed arguably the team’s top target, while adding draft capital next season. Johnson will join a new-look room along the offensive front in the desert.

Arizona has re-signed right tackle Kelvin Beachum and added veteran Elijah Wilkinson so far this offseason. Johnson could compete for a starting role right away, despite only playing at that spot for one season with the Buckeyes. The Cardinals still have D.J. Humphries at left tackle, but the longtime starter missed much of last season. His previous experience includes time at right guard, versatility which could help the Cardinals improve along the O-line in one fashion or another – a needed development considering the long-term rebuilding path the team is likely on.

The Lions, meanwhile, had been connected to a few different defensive players at their original spot. Moving down has already taken them out of contention for DT Jalen Carter, though CB Christian Gonzalez could still be an option at No. 12.

Texans Acquire No. 3 From Cardinals, Select LB Will Anderson Jr.

April 27th, 2023 at 7:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

After selecting C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick, the Texans are also moving up to No. 3. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), Houston has acquired the third overall pick from the Cardinals. The Texans will use that selection on Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter passes along the terms of the trade (via Twitter). The Texans have acquired picks No. 3 and No. 105 while sending Arizona picks No. 12, No. 33, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.

This move comes as little surprise given previous reporting on the Texans’ desire to add Anderson, seen by some as the top defender in the class (and, more generally, their intention of trading up from No. 12). Many felt he could be the second overall pick, but Houston has been aggressive in ensuring it acquired Anderson while also adding a franchise QB.

While the team got there in a roundabout way — one that cost considerable draft capital — it landed its quarterback and prized edge defender. The team was believed to be deciding between Anderson and Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, who ended up going to the Raiders at No. 7. Houston’s trade-up certainly showed what the franchise thinks of the ex-Crimson Tide star. Anderson is likely to take on a large role in the team’s defense right away, given his track record from college.

The junior won the Bronko Nagurski award in each of the past two years as the top defender in the country. Anderson had massive production in 2021 with 17.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss. Those figures took a dip this past season, though, to 10 and 17 respectively. Still, Anderson racked up a number of individual accolades and projects as the safest option in a deep edge-rushing group this year. He should be a mainstay early on in his career with the Texans, a team which already looks much different than it did at the start of the day.

For the Cardinals, it comes as no surprise that they have moved down the board. Arizona is likely headed for a rebuild, so adding capital both this year and next outweighs the benefit which Anderson (or another high-end defender) would present. They will wait to see what options take shape at No. 12, though an impact rookie will surely be available regardless of how the board shakes out.

Eagles, Cardinals Settle Jonathan Gannon Tampering Investigation

April 27th, 2023 at 6:54pm CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles and Cardinals have settled a tampering investigation involving the hiring of Jonathan Gannon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The former Eagles defensive coordinator was hired to be the Cardinals head coach earlier this offseason.

As part of the settlement, Philadelphia will receive the No. 66 pick in the draft. The Cardinals will receive pick No. 94 and a 2024 fifth-round pick.

The two teams released a statement regarding the settlement (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter):

“The Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles have agreed on the settlement of an issue concerning an instance of impermissible contact by Arizona during its head coaching search this past January.

“The Cardinals self-reported to the National Football League that General Manager Monti Ossenfort had a phone conversation with then-Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon in the days following the NFC Championship Game, a period during which contact is not permitted under the League’s Anti-Tampering Policy.

“To resolve the matter between the two clubs, the Cardinals and Eagles have agreed to swap third round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft and the Cardinals receive Philadelphia’s fifth-round selection in 2024.”

The NFL has very specific guidelines when it comes to interviews for coaches who are still in the playoff hunt. There’s a brief period at the beginning of the playoffs where the Cardinals could have approached Gannon, and they also wouldn’t have faced consequences had they first talked with the former defensive coordinator following Philly’s Super Bowl loss.

A league source told Josina Anderson that the Cardinals were not initially truthful about their pursuit of Gannon, presumably resulting in an investigation (Twitter link). Ultimately, the Eagles managed to move up about 30 picks in the third round of the draft. Based on the popular trade chart, this means the two organizations basically equated Gannon’s value to a fourth-round pick.

Cardinals, Titans Nearing DeAndre Hopkins Trade?

April 27th, 2023 at 4:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

DeAndre Hopkins may be on the move in the near future. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports (via Twitter) that the Cardinals are attempting to include the veteran wideout (and the third overall pick in tonight’s draft) in a trade with the Titans which would involve pick No. 11.

However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is throwing cold water on the rumors (via Twitter). While the Titans have indeed discussed a trade for Arizona’s No. 3 pick, Rapoport says the organization hasn’t discussed Hopkins with the Cardinals.

Hopkins has been rumored to be on the block for much of the offseason, with contenders like the Bills and Chiefs emerging as potential suitors. The main hanging point in negotiations has been Hopkins’ contract. The wideout is due a $19.45MM base salary in 2023 — a number both higher than his 2022 salary ($6.65MM) and his 2024 payment ($14.92MM). There have even been whispers that the veteran may want a raise as part of a trade, a factor that has probably cooled his trade market.

As a result, some pundits have wondered if the Cards may just cut Hopkins, freeing him up to sign anywhere. This previously rumored scenario would allow the Cardinals to save that $19.45MM — if they were to designate Hopkins as a post-June 1 cut. In a pre-draft trade (or any trade before June 1), the team would be hit with a $21.1MM dead-money charge.

Tennessee is a logical landing spot for any wide receiver, especially if the team intends to add a rookie QB in the draft. 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks was limited to only 444 receiving yards last season, while the rest of the depth chart is led by Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and 2022 fifth-round pick Kyle Phillips.

Texans Nearly Completed Trade For No. 1 Pick; Team Looking To Move Up From No. 12

April 27th, 2023 at 3:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

As yet another indicator of the Texans’ Bryce Young interest, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reports the trade talks between they and the Bears nearly produced a deal in March (Twitter link). Chicago’s previously reported two-trade effort falling through led to Carolina having Young access at No. 1.

Ryan Poles has discussed the Bears’ plan to trade with the Texans and then swap with the Panthers, moving from No. 1 to No. 2 to No. 9. The Texans backed out at the final stage, and Glazer’s report indicates the team was near the goal line on this trade. As it stands, Houston will go into tonight’s first round holding their No. 2 pick. The Texans had held the top slot for weeks, but a Davis Mills-led game-winning drive in Week 18 — one that included a fourth-and-20 Mills-to-Jordan Akins touchdown connection — gave the Bears the pick.

To move from No. 2 to No. 1, Houston was set to send Chicago a trade package that included at least one starting offensive player, Darin Gantt of Panthers.com adds. The Panthers were simultaneously negotiating with the Cardinals for the No. 3 pick, with Gantt adding the team’s proposal for 3 was similar to its offer for 2. It is worth wondering if the offensive player in Houston’s was Brandin Cooks, whom the team traded to Dallas last month.

“Wednesday afternoon, we were there,” Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said regarding a trade from No. 9 to No. 2 with the Bears. “That evening, we kept waiting for, basically for Houston to make a decision. [Owner David Tepper] is calling me because we’re waiting for that to happen. And all day Thursday, nothing. And Thursday night, I call Ryan. He’s like pacing at his house. He goes, ‘I can’t sleep. Now I’m sick to my stomach,’ because ultimately, he’s going to really rack up picks and stuff.

“And then Friday comes, nothing in the morning. I talk to him at noon. He’s frustrated. Talk to him again about 2:30 p.m. He’s frustrated. And it’s kind of like, OK, what’s it take then? Take 2 out. What if we just want to come to 1?”

The Raiders and Colts also discussed the pick with the Bears, but the Panthers including D.J. Moore represented a turning point. As the Panthers shifted their focus from moving to No. 1, Poles prioritized the veteran wideout. The Panthers gave up Moore, a 2024 first-rounder and two seconds to move up eight spots. The other teams involved led the Panthers to include Moore, per Gantt. The Bears also inquired on Brian Burns and Derrick Brown. While the Panthers had previously turned down a first-rounder for Moore, they included him in their revised offer. The team has since signed Adam Thielen and DJ Chark.

“We’re trying to protect ourselves by talking about 3, and it was a pretty good deal to go to Arizona, but then there’s two quarterbacks in between that are possibly going right?” Fitterer said. “And that’s why we said, let’s just go get the 1. Yeah. And let’s control this. … But then the other team comes in, and they’re offering what is actually more than we gave up, pick-wise. So that’s where the D.J. factor came in. That’s what put us over the top. We didn’t have to do as much pick-wise because we knew D.J.’s worth more than a 1.”

Houston’s hesitancy about the trade creates intrigue regarding its plans for tonight. The Texans now appear set to pick an edge rusher — either Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. or Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, who look to be part of a floor-vs.-ceiling debate — over a quarterback. That said, owner Cal McNair is more involved with this year’s first-round pick compared to 2022. As recently as this week, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the organization was “pretty torn” on going quarterback or edge rusher at No. 2. While the latter route may have prevailed, the Texans will still need to find a path to landing a bona fide starter option.

On that front, Caserio has explored moving up from No. 12 overall as a way to land a passer, Breer notes. The team has looked into trading back into the top 10 for a QB, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline adds. The Texans have a second-round pick and two thirds in this year’s draft; they have two firsts in 2024.

The Titans have been steadily tied to negotiating with the Cardinals, who are weighing offers from multiple teams. With the Colts set to pick at No. 4, it is possible C.J. Stroud and Will Levis — frequently connected to Indianapolis — will be off the board in the first four picks. That would leave the Texans with the options of Anthony Richardson, whom they did not host on a pre-draft visit, and Hendon Hooker. The Texans are believed to be intrigued by the ex-Tennessee Volunteer, but he is coming off an ACL tear and already 25. Hooker climbing into the top 10 would make for quite the pre-draft rise, and it is also possible Houston could nab the rehabbing QB by trading down.

Cardinals Weighing Multiple Trade Offers For No. 3 Overall Pick

April 27th, 2023 at 10:33am CST by Sam Robinson

At least six teams are believed to have discussed the No. 3 overall pick with the Cardinals. On draft morning, the NFC West team has received multiple offers for the selection, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Seeking to bolster their draft arsenal, as they have an established quarterback in Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have shopped the pick. But they have not yet traded it. The team seems likely to hold onto the choice until tonight, seeing as the Texans’ decision at No. 2 figures to impact teams’ final offers. With Houston leaning against selecting C.J. Stroud at 2, however, Arizona’s pick figures to generate interest with the Ohio State-developed passer still on the board.

The Cards have been connected to this draft’s top offensive linemen, and ex-Stroud protector Paris Johnson is believed to be one of the team’s targets. Johnson, whom ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rates as the 12th-best prospect available, would make more sense as a pick later in the top 10 — as opposed to No. 3 overall. Arizona has its tackle tandem of the past three years — D.J. Humphries and Kelvin Beachum — under contract, though Beachum is going into his age-34 season. Other than re-signing Will Hernandez, who was originally a Steve Keim addition, the Cardinals have not made a notable O-line investment this offseason

As for the teams interesting in coming up to 3, the Titans may be in the driver’s seat. They have been the most aggressive team regarding trade-up calls, Albert Breer of SI.com adds. New Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort came over from the Titans, the other team to hire a GM this offseason. The Ran Carthon– and Mike Vrabel-led team, which currently holds the No. 11 overall choice, has been mentioned as team to monitor regarding a trade-up maneuver for weeks. Vrabel, an Ohio State alum, and Buckeyes HC Ryan Day are close. And Ryan Tannehill is believed to be available via trade. It would not be a lock the Titans move on from their four-year starter if they acquired the pick (and a quarterback), but one season remains on Tannehill’s contract. The team has not touched Tannehill’s 2023 salary yet, via a restructure, either.

A few prominent mock drafts have pegged the Titans as the team that will trade up to No. 3. They are believed to be interested in selecting Stroud. They are not the only team viewed as a suitor. The Raiders have done extensive homework on this year’s QB class, while the Falcons — their support for Desmond Ridder staying at QB1 notwithstanding — are also believed to be lurking here. Atlanta may not be interested in trading up for anyone but Stroud, seeing as Bryce Young is widely expected to go No. 1 to the Panthers. The Lions, who hold two first-round picks, joined the Falcons and Raiders in hosting Stroud on a pre-draft visit. A move to No. 3 would be designed around leapfrogging the Colts, whose desire to select a QB — be it Stroud or Will Levis — at No. 4 is not a secret.

The Cards hold five picks in the top 105, possessing two third-round choices, and have a bevy of needs to fill as they transition to a new regime. While the O-line may be an early focus, Arizona has needs at edge defender, on its defensive line and at cornerback. Over the past two offseasons, the Cards’ defense has lost J.J. Watt, Zach Allen, Byron Murphy and Chandler Jones. Safety Budda Baker has also requested a trade, though the team remains in contact with the disgruntled defender.

Texans Likely To Draft DE At No. 2 Overall; Latest On C.J. Stroud

April 27th, 2023 at 10:00am CST by Sam Robinson

The Davis Mills-to-Jordan Akins fourth-and-20 touchdown connection may go down as one of the more impactful plays in Texans history. That Week 18 sequence, which led to the Texans falling out of the No. 1 draft slot, ended up allowing the Panthers access to Bryce Young, a player by most accounts Houston would have taken if given the opportunity.

While the Texans attempted to trade up to No. 1 with the Bears, the team settling on a second-best quarterback option continues to look unlikely at No. 2. Houston going with either Will Anderson Jr. or Tyree Wilson is the more likely scenario compared to the team selecting C.J. Stroud at that spot, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes.

The team brought Stroud in for a pre-draft visit, attended the Ohio State prospect’s pro day, interviewed him at the Combine and, per Wilson, has spent time considering how it would obtain a quarterback after passing on one at No. 2. But the Texans drafting Stroud would be a “major surprise” at this point, according to Wilson.

Momentum has headed in this direction for weeks, with Stroud falling from potential Panthers pick at No. 1 to a player with an uncertain destination. The Texans obviously have a quarterback need, and while Wilson adds the team’s past with David Mulugheta — Deshaun Watson‘s agent and Stroud’s representative — will not determine the team’s stance on Stroud, the ex-Buckeyes starter appears likely to remain on the board at No. 3 overall. As should be expected, GM Nick Caserio (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) doubled down on Stroud’s agent not being part of the team’s decision-making.

Regarding Stroud’s potential landing spot, Wilson adds the Titans — via a trade-up with the Cardinals at No. 3 — are rumored to be exploring a move up to select him. Peter Schrager’s NFL.com mock draft projects the Titans to make that move as well.

The Titans have been viewed as Stroud fans for a bit now, and Schrager cites Mike Vrabel‘s relationship with Ohio State HC Ryan Day as one that helps Justin Fields‘ Buckeyes successor here. Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds is also believed to back Stroud, which could well lead to the Cardinals having a taker for a trade-up, as Indianapolis holds the No. 4 overall pick tonight. The Titans were mentioned weeks ago as having explored a trade into the No. 3 position; this appears to be a realistic scenario. Though, it probably will not take place until the Texans make their choice at 2.

The Texans are not expected to select Will Levis or Anthony Richardson at 2; the Texans did not host the Florida prospect on a visit. The team does have high opinion of Hendon Hooker, per Wilson, but the Tennessee prospect does not appear to be in the team’s first-round plans at either No. 2 or No. 12. The Vikings, who hold the No. 23 overall pick, have been mentioned as a potential Hooker destination. The two-year Volunteers starter, who suffered an ACL tear in November, expects to be cleared by Week 1.

An Anderson-or-Wilson decision looks to be where Houston’s process concludes. Mentioned as being open to trading down, the Texans are not expected to do so, Aaron Wilson adds. Questions about Anderson’s ceiling remain a factor here, per Aaron Wilson, who lends more credence to Tyree Wilson as being a higher-ceiling player (and a prospect who, at 271 pounds, would better fit DeMeco Ryans‘ 4-3 scheme compared to Anderson, at 253). The Texans are believed to have cleared the Texas Tech prospect, who suffered a Lisfranc fracture late in the Red Raiders’ season. Schrager mocks Anderson, whom a GM calls the “safest pick in the draft,” to Houston.

Teams Aiming For Cardinals To Pay Part Of DeAndre Hopkins’ Salary In Trade

April 26th, 2023 at 12:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

On the trade block for several weeks now, DeAndre Hopkins remains tied to the Cardinals extension he signed in 2020. Teams are not eager to pay Hopkins at full price, with Dan Graziano of ESPN.com noting suitors want the Cards to pick up part of the tab.

Hopkins is due a $19.45MM base salary in 2023 — a number both higher than his 2022 salary ($6.65MM) and his 2024 payment ($14.92MM) — and may or may not want a raise as part of a trade. Hopkins is not a great spot to ask for a raise, given his recent injuries and PED suspension, and teams do not want to add the former All-Pro even on his current deal.

Suitors are waiting to see if the Cardinals move to eat some of that paragraph 5 salary, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the NFC West team has not shown any inclination to do so yet. In the recent past, teams have picked up some of an outgoing player’s money to increase draft compensation in trades. The Broncos did so in their 2021 Von Miller trade; the Bears picked up much of Robert Quinn‘s remaining 2022 salary to convince the Eagles to throw in a fourth-round pick. No trade will involve a first-round pick, so the Cardinals have a bit more time to decide — if they are intent on picking up 2023 draft capital in a Hopkins swap.

Teams continue to wonder if the Cards will simply release Hopkins rather than eating more money than they would otherwise have to in a trade, Fowler adds. This previously rumored scenario would allow the Cardinals to save that $19.45MM — if they were to designate Hopkins as a post-June 1 cut. In a pre-draft trade (or any trade before June 1), the team would be hit with a $21.1MM dead-money charge. That number would go up if the Cards picked up some of Hopkins’ salary. The Cards hold just more than $20MM in cap space; that figure will change significantly once Hopkins is moved.

Rumored Hopkins suitors, the Bills and Chiefs have been connected to first-round wide receivers. The Ravens, despite their Odell Beckham Jr. agreement, have also been linked to the 11th-year veteran. The Cardinals could wait to see what dominoes fall this weekend, but the list of suitors may shrink after teams make receiver investments in the early rounds. Hopkins expressed interest in being dealt to Buffalo or Kansas City; he was less enthused about being moved to the Jets or Patriots. Then again, last year’s PED ban voided Hopkins’ no-trade clause.

Cardinals Continue To Explore Trade-Down Move, Eyeing First-Round O-Linemen

April 25th, 2023 at 4:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Even if the Texans follow through with a much-rumored effort to take a non-quarterback at No. 2 overall, one of the top two edge rushers — either Will Anderson Jr. or Tyree Wilson — would still be on the board for the Cardinals at 3. The team has front-seven holes, and mock drafts have often placed a top-flight edge prospect in this slot.

But the Cardinals continue to explore avenues to move down the board. Offensive line appears to be the top Cards concern heading into the draft, Todd McShay of ESPN.com notes. While a previous report indicated the Cardinals may be prepared to address this issue at No. 3 — by taking Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson — McShay adds the team is “borderline desperate” to move down.

Sliding down the board would seemingly better match Arizona with this year’s top O-linemen while providing the rebuilding team with additional assets. The Johnson rumors aside, McShay connects the team to having interest in Northwestern tackle/guard Peter Skoronski. The former Big Ten standout rates as Scouts Inc.’s No. 9 overall prospect, with Johnson sitting 12th. Kyler Murray has spoken highly of Johnson, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets, with SI.com’s Albert Breer also indicating the team is quite taken with the two-year Buckeyes starter. Johnson visited the Cardinals as well.

Though, some teams are believed to place a higher value on Johnson, who is projected to stay at tackle. Skoronski is viewed by many as a player who will make a Brandon Scherff-like transition by going early in the first round but being shifted from tackle to guard before his first NFL game. Teams are generally reluctant to draft a guard especially early, though the Scherff (No. 5, 2015) and Quenton Nelson (No. 6, 2018) choices panned out. The Cardinals’ connections to the Big Ten blockers may lead to the team setting a floor regarding how low it is willing to drop in a trade.

The Cardinals have their tackle tandem of the past three years — D.J. Humphries–Kelvin Beachum — under contract, though Humphries missed much of last season and Beachum is going into his age-34 campaign. The team did lose guard Justin Pugh to an ACL tear and has not re-signed him. Guard Will Hernandez did re-sign, however. It is worth wondering if the Cardinals taking an O-lineman in the top 10 would affect one of the veterans’ statuses.

The team, which has needed a cornerback since Patrick Peterson‘s 2021 free agency departure, is also interested in Devon Witherspoon, per Breer. With Witherspoon a candidate to go midway through the top 10, the Cardinals would need to take a measured approach with a trade-down effort. If the team cannot find a trade partner, Wilson may be in play. The team passed the Texas Tech edge rusher on a pre-draft physical, Breer adds.

A few teams have been mentioned as candidates to trade up for a quarterback. The Titans (No. 11), Falcons (No. 8) and Raiders (No. 7) are among them. The Cardinals are believed to have spoken with at least six teams about a potential trade. The Texans passing on C.J. Stroud — assuming the Panthers indeed take Bryce Young — would stand to help the Cardinals find a trade partner, and Will Levis‘ late rise may as well.

With a need at quarterback, the Texans have the more interesting decision to make Thursday. The Cardinals having Murray lowers the stakes for their pick, but new GM Monti Ossenfort may have a complex process to navigate during his first draft night.

Latest On Potential Cardinals Trade-Down From No. 3

April 23rd, 2023 at 1:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 23: Following up on Saturday’s tweet, Pauline has identified the O-lineman being targeted at No. 3 as Johnson. The true junior only spent one season on the blindside with the Buckeyes, holding the LT spot in 2022 (after playing at right guard the previous season). He did so to great effect, however, earning an overall PFF grade of 83 and excelling in both pass protection and run blocking. Especially if Skoronski is viewed as a guard at the NFL level, Johnson could find himself as the top tackle on many teams’ boards. Whether a trade for the third pick materializes or not, he won’t have to wait long to hear his name called on Day 1.

APRIL 22: Arizona has long been named as a team to watch for a potential move down the board in next week’s draft. The Cardinals are currently set to pick third overall, but they could benefit from a trade allowing them to gain extra draft capital.

A report emerged earlier this month that no fewer than six teams have called Arizona about the No. 3 selection. Teams moving up to such a premium spot would presumably do so to land a quarterback (especially if the Texans decline to draft a signal-caller with the second overall pick). In the event the Cardinals agreed to a swap, however, that may not be the case.

Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reports that teams looking to trade up to the third slot are looking to do so to select an offensive lineman (Twitter link). That comes as a surprise, considering the way the top of the board is ranked across most of the scouting community. A number of offensive tackles are considered locks to go in the first round, but few (if any) are expected to hear their names called in the top 5 or 10 on draft night.

The identity of the blocker who would be the target at No. 3 would likely depend on which team was moving up. Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski is seen by many as the top o-lineman in the 2023 class, though signs are pointing to him playing at guard at the NFL level. Prospects expected to primarily play at tackle include Paris Johnson Jr., (Ohio State) Broderick Jones (Georgia) and Darnell Wright (Tennessee).

Each of those players have received strong evaluations in the lead-in to the draft, but defenders Will Anderson and Jalen Carter are generally seen as the best non-QBs in the class. Arizona moving down the board for a team to avoid either of those two would certainly be noteworthy, though it could keep open the possibility of the Cardinals still being able to select one of them, depending on where they landed in the order.

Given Arizona’s status as likely entering a rebuild, trading down would yield obvious benefits. With the 2023 class believed to be short on bluechip prospects, though, the list of candidates willing to move up has remained rather short. The Raiders and Titans have been reported as open to trading up from seventh and 11th, respectively, though quarterback is thought to be the position such a move would be built upon. The question of whether any of the class’ top tackles begin to gain steam in the coming days will be one worth answering as the draft approaches.

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