In the NFL, the athletes and coaches are the stars. Their highlight-reel plays and motivational speeches captivate fans. Perhaps the most influential person in an NFL franchise, though, moves behind the scenes. General managers are responsible for building rosters that are ready to compete for Super Bowls.
A few NFL general managers, like Philadelphia’s Howie Roseman, are widely known among football fans. The rest, for the most part, operate in relative anonymity.
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort is far from celebrity status, but his moves in his tenure with the team show a level of competence that Cardinals fans craved before his arrival. Ossenfort has made important free-agent signings and extended key players, but his real expertise is in the NFL Draft.
Monti Ossenfort: The king of the NFL Draft
In his short time with the Arizona Cardinals, Monti Ossenfort has redefined how the team approaches the draft. Prior to Ossenfort’s arrival, general manager Steve Keim was known for splashy trades that often resulted in losing precious draft capital. Keim consistently forfeited draft picks to acquire aging veterans who failed to make a major impact in Arizona.
Picks, picks, and more picks
Ossenfort places premium value on draft picks. In his two drafts as Arizona’s general manager, Ossenfort has made 21 draft picks. Keim, on the other hand, averaged just eight picks per year in his last three drafts in charge.
Ossenfort is consistently open to trading back in the draft to acquire more picks. He has made multiple draft-day trades to ensure that Arizona gets their players while adding as much draft capital as possible. Most notably, Ossenfort traded from pick 3 to pick 12 (then back up to pick 6) back in 2023.
A youth movement is taking shape in Arizona
It’s been just over two years since Monti Ossenfort took over for the Cardinals. While it’s too early to fully gauge the success of his two draft classes, the future looks bright in Arizona. Players like Paris Johnson Jr., Garrett Williams, and Marvin Harrison Jr. look like long-term starters at the very least.
Ossenfort has initiated a youth movement in Arizona, which indicates a stark difference between his team-building strategy and that of his predecessor, Steve Keim.
The Cardinals have six picks to spend in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN recently listed Arizona as one of the most likely teams to trade back in this year’s draft. If Monti Ossenfort sees an opportunity to gain additional selections while still acquiring top players, expect him to take it.