The Arizona Cardinals are a major x-factor heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. They currently own the No. 3 overall pick, which puts them in a position to land one of the best prospects in this year’s draft class. Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson has been mocked to Arizona for months now, as they look to rebuild their defense under new head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Alas, the Cardinals are more than one piece away from turning things around. With a new general manager in Monti Ossenfort also joining the franchise 2023 is shaping up to be a rebuilding year in the desert. That is why the Cardinals are the x-factor in the draft next week.
The one thing that the team doesn’t need is another quarterback after signing Kyler Murray to a massive five-year extension worth $230.5 million. That makes them a prime candidate to trade down from the No. 3 spot.
The Cardinals could receive a treasure trove of assets in a trade centered around the No. 3 overall pick. With the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans expected to both select quarterbacks, any quarterback-needy teams will want to get ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, who are picking No. 4.
That would guarantee two of Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis are still on the board. One team who could be interested in making such a jump is the Tennessee Titans.
Under new management with Ran Carthon coming over from the San Francisco 49ers, some major roster moves have already occurred. Veterans Bud Dupree, Taylor Lewan and Robert Woods were all released. Running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Ryan Tannehill could also be moved.
What could a trade between the Cardinals and Titans look like? A suggested trade package is Arizona sending the No. 3 pick to Tennessee in exchange for Nos. 11 and 72, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick.
Moving ahead of their AFC South rivals in the Colts is certainly a motivating factor for the Titans. If they don’t make a move up the board, they are going to be the only franchise in their division without a young quarterback to be excited about heading into the future.
As for the Cardinals, they land premium assets in the future. With the Titans in a rebuilding year themselves, there is a strong chance that the 2024 pick will be in the top 10. Depending on how fast things are turned around in the Music City, that 2025 second-round pick could also have immense value.
Ossenfort and Gannon have their hands full in Arizona as the roster is one of the weaker ones in the league. Poor drafting for years under Steve Kiem has left the depth chart barren as only three of his 53 picks from 2013-2019 remain on the roster. This trade would help them start turning that around.
