With one month to go before the 2023 NFL Draft, we’re diving deeper than ever before, projecting the Arizona Cardinals pull off a trade with the Packers.
In our most recent mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals swapped with the Indianapolis Colts, and took Will Anderson Jr. with the fourth overall pick. Today, we’re imagining who Arizona could take if they traded down to the middle of the first round, the 15th overall spot, to be exact.
In this scenario, the Green Bay Packers are looking to pull off a blockbuster with Big Red, obviously seeking Will Levis to be their next franchise quarterback to replace Aaron Rodgers. While the Packers have Jordan Love, the former first round pick hasn’t shown much.
And to get bold, we’ll just say the Pack sends Love to the desert to be Kyler Murray’s next backup, along with a first round pick in 2024, plus the 45th overall pick, and the 78th overall pick in 2023.
So without further ado, let’s get started. Who will the Cardinals take 15th overall?
1 - Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB/Ohio State
All signs point to the Carolina Panthers taking the Ohio State product with the top selection. Stroud can step in immediately, but if he needs time to develop, Carolina still has the well-traveled Andy Dalton. You know what? Maybe it’s best to just roll with Stroud…
2 - Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB/Alabama
Bryce Young may be small, but he is a mobile quarterback who is the best fit for a team with a limited amount of starpower surrounding it. Like Stroud, Young can start from Day One. Unlike Stroud, he probably will be the Day One starter.
3 - Green Bay Packers: Will Levis, QB/Kentucky
The Green Bay Packers will choose between two potential-laden prospects in Will Levis and Anthony Richardson. While Richardson’s upside could entice them, Levis is the more proven player.
4 - Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB/Florida
Anthony Richardson is one player who I would shy away from in this draft given his lack of productivity. However, he’d be a great fit for the Colts, who can sit and basically redshirt him for a season.
5 - Seattle Seahawks: Will Anderson Jr, DE/Edge/Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals, by trading out of the third spot, would be “giving” Will Anderson to the Seattle Seahawks in this scenario. Not ideal for the Cardinals, but if this were to happen come the 27th, it means there’s a player they think more highly of.
6 - Detroit Lions: Lukas Van Ness, DE/Iowa
Corner was the Detroit Lions biggest need coming into the offseason, but with Emmanuel Moseley and Cameron Sutton hopping aboard, the Lions could seek to improve their defensive line. They struck gold last season with Aidan Hutchinson, and now, Luke Van Ness could be the second part of a dynamic duo.
7 - Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr/OT/Ohio State
The Las Vegas Raiders are an empty vessel on the offensive line. Paris Johnson Jr could give this team a franchise left tackle for Jimmy Garoppolo.
8 - Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Carter, DT/Alabama
Jalen Carter has had his fair share of issues lately, legal, plus a poor showing at his pro day. But that being said, someone is going to take a chance on him. In this scenario, that someone is the Atlanta Falcons.
9 - Chicago Bears: Tyree Wilson, DE/Texas Tech
The Chicago Bears scheme doesn’t necessarily require a pass/edge rusher. But it still wouldn’t hurt to land what could be the second-best one in the NFL Draft. Thanks to the Bears scheme, Wilson would also fit in as a 4-3 defensive end.
10 - Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson, RB/Texas
With no Miles Sanders for 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles will look to the NFL Draft to fill the void. They will roll with Bijan Robinson, who could factor in as a rare featured back for years.
11 - Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT/Northwestern
While the Tennessee Titans signed Andre Dillard, they still need help at the position. They will go with a potentially surefire pick in Peter Skoronski.
12 - Houston Texans: Quentin Johnston, WR/TCU
The Houston Texans are void of talent all over the field. But if they want to surround Bryce Young with talent early, then Quentin Johnston is the answer.
13 - New York Jets: Myles Murphy, DE/Clemson
With all the Aaron Rodgers trade talk, the New York Jets will most likely send this pick to the Packers. But until then, they’re sticking to the 13th pick, and they are using it to take the best player on the board.
14 - New England Patriots: Broderick Jones, OT/Georgia
The New England Patriots signed a pair of tackles. But neither are long-term fixtures at the position, so they will roll with a potential franchise left tackle.
15 - Arizona Cardinals: Christian Gonzalez, CB/Oregon
The Arizona Cardinals unfortunately won’t get Will Anderson Jr at 15th overall. But they will get arguably the best corner in the draft with Christian Gonzalez.
The downside? Arizona will be facing Will Anderson Jr twice a year. The upside? Division rivals will have to deal with Gonzalez twice a year. And that could pay dividends.