Among the potential surprises at this year’s NFL Draft, Arizona staying put at third overall would rank as one of the biggest.
“The Cardinals are borderline desperate to move out of this spot,” said ESPN’s Todd McShay on the organization’s intentions with its top pick.
Arizona needs an infusion of young talent, and acquiring multiple picks by trading down is the most feasible path toward achieving that goal.
According to PhillyVoice, Arizona’s roster has ranked among the oldest in football over the past five seasons, and the organization has had one winning season during that span.
Per McShay, the Cardinals could trade down and still fill what’s arguably their biggest need.
“I keep hearing the team wants to improve the offensive line and better protect Kyler Murray,” wrote McShay.
The top offensive linemen shouldn’t begin coming off the board until near the back end of the top 10, with guard Peter Skoronski and tackles Paris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones leading the class. A hypothetical trade with Tennessee — which has the No. 11 pick — would put Arizona in a perfect position to get one of those highly graded offensive linemen without the pick being a reach.
If a trade doesn’t materialize, McShay suggests the Cardinals would take a defensive end. Alabama’s Will Anderson and Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson have emerged as the top two ends in the draft, and there’s a near-100 percent chance at least one of the two will be available at No. 3 since all signs are pointing toward Carolina zeroing in on QB Bryce Young at No. 1.
Either would be a solid pickup for Arizona in what’s looking more and more like its worst-case scenario.
