Report: ‘At least six’ teams have inquired about the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 3 pick
It seems as if the Arizona Cardinals will have plenty of options come April 27th’s 2023 NFL Draft first round. In highest demand, however, is the No. 3 overall pick.
“At least six teams have inquired with the Arizona Cardinals about trading up for the third overall pick in the upcoming April 27 NFL Draft, per league sources. Cardinals still are mulling whether to move pick or make it.” Adam Schefter reported on Monday morning.
Arizona may have the best situation as far as leverage for potential trade talks in the first round.
It is highly likely that two quarterbacks – C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young – are going to go number one to Carolina and then number two to Houston, in whatever order. At No. 3, the Cardinals will likely see the best non-QB on the board if they want to stick and pick. However, general manager Monti Ossenfort and Co. can likely field a massive return if they trade back.
Some team is going to really want Anthony Richardson or Will Levis. Another thing to think about is who picks after Arizona. It’s Indianapolis at No. 4, a team who needs a quarterback. I would be shocked if a team does not offer a ton of draft capital to move in front of Indy, to get the third quarterback.
This could be the first NFL draft where four quarterbacks go in consecutive picks to start the draft. There have only been four quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 two times: In 1949 and 2018, when five went in the first round.
Who could the six teams be?
The first team that jumps to mind is the Las Vegas Raiders. With the No. 7 pick, they are right in striking distance to trade up with Arizona. The Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year deal (which is really a two-year deal with an opt-out) this offseason. They could be looking to groom a young quarterback like Richardson or Levis. Both prospects are still raw, but time would be on the Raiders’ side because they have an NFL-ready quarterback in the building already with Garoppolo.
Indianapolis could get scared and jump up a spot. In a situation like that, Arizona would likely field less of a return for moving back just one spot. For Indy, they’d be securing their guy without the fear of someone else jumping up to pick him. It’s not like this has never happened before, with the Chicago Bears trading up from No. 3 to No. 2 to take Mitchell Trubisky.
Seattle is another team that could be in on a quarterback. The Seahawks have been outwardly analyzing prospects for that position because they hold the No. 5 pick. They could move up just two spots for a quarterback they really like. Seattle could also stay put and pick, potentially having the best prospect in the draft fall into their laps. This also makes sense because they did just pay Geno Smith. I see this one as unlikely, as I think Seattle is okay at quarterback as it stands. Also, I don’t think Arizona is inclined to let their division rivals secure their future quarterback, regardless of the return.
The Tennessee Titans could consider moving up from No. 11 to No. 3. They’re reportedly interested already. This one would be a pretty high jump, so the return would have to be several picks. Ryan Tannehill is in the final year of his contract. The team drafted Malik Willis in the third round, so they might not be ready to pour that much capital into one of these QBs.
One final team that I think is a possibility is the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 8 pick. Atlanta is in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. As it stands now, they’ll be running Taylor Heinicke out there for Week 1. The Falcons have been going in this offseason as a team that’s ready to compete in the NFC South. Why should the aggressiveness stop here? Trade up with the Cardinals, drop some of your capital and get the quarterback of your future. If Atlanta is ready to make a splash in this league for the first time since the Matt Ryan era, then it’s time to go find your next franchise quarterback.
Debriefing
Look, Arizona, the odds are that you won’t be competing in 2023. You have way too much leverage to sit and pick. There are way too many possible teams that could be interested in this pick. The Cardinals can trade back and still likely get a top-3 defensive player. They could even still get the best defender available. The dream scenario for the Cardinals is that they trade this pick, slide back a few spots, and still end up with a Jalen Carter, Will Anderson Jr. or Tyree Wilson.
Arizona doesn’t need a quarterback (yet). With the high demand for the signal caller position, teams are going to be all in on making a deal with Arizona to potentially jump Indianapolis. As for the Cardinals, they shouldn’t think twice if they draw a substantial offer. Make the trade, gain a ton of capital and slide back a few spots. You still might end up with the player you originally wanted.
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