Cardinals Trade Down, Land Will Anderson in Dream Draft Scenario
Free agency hasn't been too kind for the Arizona Cardinals.
After losing their star pass rusher in J.J. Watt, the team was unable to bring back cornerback Byron Murphy and defensive end Zach Allen after both departed for new adventures.
However, we're nearly a month away from the 2023 NFL Draft, where the Cardinals will have an opportunity to shine with four picks in the top 100, which includes the No. 3 overall pick.
Arizona has a wealth of different options and avenues they can take when they're on the clock. Some believe the Cardinals will either take one of the top defensive prospects available to them or trade down to take advantage of a quarterback-needy team and gain much needed ammo for down the road.
Why not both?
Cardinals Trade Down, Land Will Anderson in Dream Draft Scenario
In his latest mock draft, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper has the Cardinals doing business with the Indianapolis Colts (who do indeed need a quarterback), who are just one spot behind at pick No. 4.
"Arizona's pick at No. 3 is going to be coveted. It might now be the most important pick in the draft. That's because we know quarterbacks are going to Carolina and Houston at the top of the board, but the Cardinals aren't in the market for a passer. How far are they willing to slide down so a QB-needy team can move up?" said Kiper.
"This scenario might be best for them, because they have to move down only one spot and could still get their choice of the top defenders. Go any farther down, and they won't be so lucky."
Kiper added that the compensation Arizona received would be similar to what the Chicago Bears gave the San Francisco 49ers to move one spot from No. 3 to No. 2 in the 2017 NFL Draft: Picks 3, 67 and 111 along with a third-round pick the following year.
"If Las Vegas or Seattle gets involved, Arizona could get much more," added Kiper.
The Colts move up to take Kentucky QB Will Levis with C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young going in the first two picks. The Cardinals - on the clock after three picks - take Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson.
"Anderson is the type of player new coach Jonathan Gannon can build around on defense. He's versatile, productive -- 130 pressures over the past two seasons -- and has the tools to develop into an All-Pro," said Kiper on the pick.
"This trade down likely would give Arizona the Colts' second- and third-rounders (Nos. 35 and 79) at the very least, giving it a bunch of capital to make upgrades. Now, new general manager Monti Ossenfort has to use that capital wisely -- and hope quarterback Kyler Murray is ready for Week 1."
This would be a dream scenario for the Cardinals - dropping down and getting some strong draft picks while moving down close enough to still get who many believe to be the top non-QB prospect in the entire draft.
Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort will be working the phones often as teams throughout the draft order make their bids to move up.
Like any wise general manager, he'll hold out until the best offer finally emerges. Yet in a dream scenario, the Colts are the ideal trade-down candidate for Arizona.
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