The Arizona Cardinals best scenario? Trade down with the Indianapolis Colts and aim for back-to-back picks in the second round.
The Arizona Cardinals could trade the third pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Indianapolis Colts, who are picking fourth. The Colts could give the Cards a ransom here, as Arizona could easily trade the pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, or Atlanta Falcons, among other teams who may be searching for a quarterback.
The 35th overall pick is one you can expect the Cardinals to receive should such a trade occur, and they will likely also get a first round pick in 2024. But, let’s assume Arizona got back-to-back picks in the second round with such a trade. Who could they take?
Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft: Three picks in the Top 35
1 - Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB/Ohio State
The Carolina Panthers need to go with the quarterback they feel is the best fit to roll with for the next decade. Stroud has both ideal size and he’s faced an elite level of competition, checking more boxes than Bryce Young.
2 - Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB/Alabama
The Houston Texans don’t have a face for fans to attach to the franchise. Bryce Young can be that player.
3 - Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB/Florida
The Indianapolis Colts could go with Will Levis. But with Gardner Minshew in the driver’s seat, they can draft the potential-laden Anthony Richardson and let him sit for a year.
4 - Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., DE/Edge/Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals have no game-changer at pass rusher. Will Anderson Jr. changes that.
5 - Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT/Georgia
Jalen Carter may freefall on draft day. But if he’s only meeting with specific teams, it indicates someone picking in the top ten is seriously considering him. That team could be the Seattle Seahawks.
6 - Detroit Lions: Tyree Wilson, DE/Texas Tech
Aidan Hutchinson was a hit last season, and Tyree Wilson will spell double trouble. If this happens, then the Detroit Lions are another step closer to perhaps even winning the NFC North. And no, that’s not a typo.
7 - Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB/Kentucky
Will Levis, like Anthony Richardson, will benefit from sitting behind a seasoned veteran for at least a season. Once he’s ready to start, the Las Vegas Raiders may find stability at quarterback once again.
8 - Atlanta Falcons: Devon Witherspoon, CB/Illinois
Cornerback is one major area the Atlanta Falcons must focus on. Devon Witherspoon could be the best remedy, and he can start the second he signs a contract.
9 - Chicago Bears: Myles Murphy, DE/Clemson
The Chicago Bears upgraded their linebacking unit in free agency, and Myles Murphy adds yet another piece to a brewing defense. They’ll snag him without hesitation at ninth overall.
10 - Philadelphia Eagles, Bijan Robinson, RB/Texas
I’ve pegged Bijan Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles for a while now. And although featured backs aren’t often on their agenda, Robinson is one talent they don’t want to pass on.
11 - Tennessee Titans - Quentin Johnston, WR/TCU
Trading away A.J. Brown hurt. In 2023, the Tennessee Titans make up for it with Quentin Johnston. This one is a straightforward decision.
12 - Houston Texans - Paris Johnson Jr.,OT/Ohio State
The Houston Texans snagged their potential franchise quarterback of the future with the second pick, and they will draft their franchise left tackle 12th overall. Paris Johnson Jr. may not just complete an epic first round for the Texans; he will also anchor the offensive line.
13 - New York Jets - Broderick Jones, OT/Georgia
There is no question the New York Jets roll with a tackle in the first round. If they want Aaron Rodgers, they’re going to need to keep him upright.
14 - New England Patriots - Jordan Addison, WR/USC
After losing Jakobi Myers to the Raiders, the New England Patriots must find a go-to receiver for quarterback Mac Jones. Jordan Addison makes the most sense here.
15 - Green Bay Packers - Bryan Bresee, DT/Clemson
With Jordan Love likely getting his chance to lead the Green Bay Packers, many might peg a receiver here. But they would be wise to go defense if they want to counterintuitively help Rodgers’ successor.
16 - Washington Commanders - Joey Porter Jr., CB/Penn State
Kendall Fuller is the only halfway decent corner on the Washington Commanders roster. Joey Porter Jr. provides an immediate upgrade.
17 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Peter Skoronski, OT/Northwestern
Mission #1 for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Find a way to better protect quarterback Kenny Pickett. Peter Skoronski will help out that cause.
18 - Detroit Lions - Drew Sanders, LB/Arkansas
Malcolm Rodriquez is the only real fixture at linebacker for the Detroit Lions. They’ll further upgrade the defense with the 18th pick by bringing in Sanders.
19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - O’Cyrus Torrence, OG/Florida
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may resort to an old school style of football following Tom Brady’s retirement. Look for them to upgrade the offensive line.
20 - Seattle Seahawks - Lukas Van Ness, DE/Iowa
The Seattle Seahawks just need to keep upgrading their defense for the time being. Lukas Van Ness makes for another young, interesting puzzle piece.
21 - Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Gonzalez, CB/Oregon
J.C. Jackson was supposed to fill one of the two corner slots, but he was a perennial free agent bust. With Christian Gonzalez falling to 21st overall, the Los Angeles Chargers get a do-over.
22 - Baltimore Ravens - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR/Ohio State
What’s the least the Baltimore Ravens can do for Lamar Jackson or whoever steps in at quarterback? Yep, draft a receiver, and a high-upside one at that.
23 - Minnesota Vikings - Deonte Banks, CB/Maryland
The Minnesota Vikings desperately need a cornerback following several offseason departures. Deonte Banks will be there, and the Vikes shouldn’t hesitate.
24 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Luke Musgrave, TE/Oregon State
At this point, it’s all about surrounding quarterback Trevor Lawrence with talent. Luke Musgrave will provide a huge help in that aspect.
25 - New York Giants - Jalin Hyatt, WR/Tennessee
The New York Giants need a player with WR1 potential. While they have some talent at the position, none pose a legitimate threat to defenses, and Jalin Hyatt can change that.
26 - Dallas Cowboys - Dalton Kinkaid, TE/Utah
The Dallas Cowboys will replace Dalton Schultz with another Dalton, this one being Dalton Kinkaid. He will also immediately draw attention away from CeeDee Lamb.
27 - Buffalo Bills - Rashee Rice, WR/SMU
The Buffalo Bills could be one offensive player away from a Lombardi. And while they’ve been linked to the likes of Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins and free agent Odell Beckham Jr., they may just opt to draft the best receiver left on the board.
28 - Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Branch, S/Alabama
Now that the offensive line appears to be set, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to upgrade other weakened portions of their team. Safety will be the first position they address, and they get a good one with Brian Branch.
29 - New Orleans Saints - B.J. Ojulari, Edge/LSU
Edge is a point of weakness for the New Orleans Saints, and B.J. Ojulari can potentially fix that. Look for NOLA to go defense here.
30 - Philadelphia Eagles - Kelee Ringo, CB/Georgia
The Philadelphia Eagles have solid depth at cornerback. But James Bradberry and Darius Slay aren’t getting any younger, and there is no guaranteed future CB1 there at the moment. Look for them to invest in Kelee Ringo, give him a pitch count early, then go from there.
31 - Kansas City Chiefs - Jaelyn Duncan, OT/Maryland
Losing Orlando Brown Jr. hurt, so the Kansas City Chiefs need a replacement. They signed Jawaan Taylor this year, but they would do well to add one more piece to the puzzle. Jaelyn Duncan can help them out.
32 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Cody Mauch, OG/North Dakota State
Right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers just need to keep beefing up the offensive line every chance they get. If they can do that, this team can go a long way, and Cody Mauch is the safest pick to help them reach the next level.
33 - Houston Texans - Michael Mayer, TE/Notre Dame
Now, you can surround Bryce Young with skill position players. Michael Mayer would pair well with Dalton Schultz at tight end, and immediately, Young has a couple of sure handed targets to throw to.
34 - Arizona Cardinals - Calijah Kancey, DT/Pittsburgh
Calijah Kancey has, for the most part, been overlooked, but a few mocks have him going in the first round. If he falls to the Arizona Cardinals at 34th overall, general manager Monti Ossenfort should not hesitate.
35 - Arizona Cardinals - John Michael Schmitz, C/Minnesota
Assuming Ossenfort has yet to take a center, he can complete his offensive line odyssey at 35th overall by taking John Michael Schmitz. And thus, the Arizona Cardinals address three huge needs in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Overall, trading down with the Indianapolis Colts should be the Arizona Cardinals most ideal move. Not only will they get a ransom regardless; they will also likely get the 35th pick, and it will let them immediately fill three gaping holes