The top two selections in the 2023 draft – owned by the Panthers and Texans – are widely expected to be used on quarterbacks. The same is true of the Colts at No. 4. These expectations have fueled plenty of speculation regarding what the Cardinals will do with the third overall pick. They will likely have a number of suitors if they choose to move down the board.
Arizona has received inquiries from “at least six teams” on the subject of the availability of the No. 3 pick, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That comes as little surprise, considering the standalone value of that slot and what it represents in this year’s pecking order for teams eyeing a rookie signal-caller. Any team looking to jump ahead of Indianapolis to secure the third-best QB in the class (likely either Florida’s Anthony Richardson or Kentucky’s Will Levis) would need to send a sizeable package to Arizona.
The Colts themselves could guard against that possibility by moving up one spot, something which would guarantee the Cardinals having a free choice of the best defensive players available. Other teams – including the Raiders (scheduled to pick seventh) and Titans (11th) have been linked to a jump up the board, likely to the third spot. That could result in a bidding war, something which would of course greatly benefit Arizona.
The Cardinals had a highly disappointing campaign in 2022, and have undergone a house cleaning in the front office and on the sidelines. Without many young, foundational pieces in place, anything which would allow Arizona to add draft capital in 2023 and/or future years would likely outweigh the immediate benefits of staying put. The Cardinals currently have four of the draft’s first 96 picks.
Schefter notes that the team remains undecided with respect to keeping or trading the pick. A decision will likely not be made until draft night itself, as teams have yet to complete their QB evaluations and those of other top prospects. Waiting to see how the first two selections shake out could allow new Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort to maximize his leverage against teams looking to move up. In either case, Arizona figures to be a team to watch as the draft draws nearer.
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