Five First-Round Defensive Targets for Cardinals in NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals will likely be selecting a top defensive player wherever they are in the 2023 NFL Draft, and these are five prospects not named Will Anderson to consider.

Author:
Richie Bradshaw
Updated:
Apr 23, 2023 6:04 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 23, 2023

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Arizona Cardinals

With Jonathan Gannon as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, it feels likely that he will be looking to revamp this defense in year one. There is certainly a lot of work to do, but thankfully this is a deep draft class for defensive players at every level.

The Cardinals have made some additions in free agency this offseason, but the 2023 NFL draft presents an outstanding opportunity to add some talented and potential Pro Bowl-level players. Whether the Cardinals want to add more pass rush or more cover men, this draft class has them covered.

Now while the third overall pick could be edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama, the Cardinals need to explore other options in case he isn't there or more importantly in the event of a trade-down.

Here are five prospects (out of tons of options) that make the most sense for the Cardinals to target in the first round of he 2023 NFL Draft.

One last warning - these prospects are for if/when the Cardinals trade down from the number three overall pick!

Tyree Wilson

Wilson feels like the perfect pick for the Cardinals if/when they trade down and the upside is as good as anyone in this class. We may have been shorted on his NFL Combine numbers for athletic testing, but we can safely assume that he would test very well.

When looking at Wilson it's incredibly easy to see another Ezekiel Ansah with the combination of size, athleticism, and upside. If Wilson can reach that potential, the Cardinals will be a very happy team. The bottom line is Wilson could be a stud or he could be an All-Pro and that makes him a top priority in a trade-down scenario.

Christian Gonzalez

If you prefer cornerbacks to pass rushers then Gonzalez is the man for you. Not only does Gonzalez have great production (four interceptions and seven pass deflections in 2022), but he has the prototypical size at the cornerback position at 6'1" 197lbs. He is the perfect profile for a number one corner.

On top of all of this, the upside Gonzalez possesses makes him the clearcut number one cornerback in this class, and has legitimate All-Pro upside. The Cardinals haven't had elite cornerback play since Patrick Peterson's prime days and Gonzalez could join a rich history of cornerbacks in the history of the Cardinals.

Jalen Carter

Carter's draft stock has plummeted recently and yet he is still projected as a top-10 pick. There is a legitimate argument for him to be the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft. Between his athletic upside, previous production, and overall profile as a prospect, Carter is can't miss.

Now there are concerns about an off-field incident that has been investigated since the Combine. However, if the Cardinals do their proper background checks on Carter and clear him for their draft board, it would be hard to get better value than him. Carter feels like the safest and greatest player in the draft as long as you trust him.

Brian Branch

Admittedly this would be a reach in the top 10, but if the Cardinals traded down to the middle of round one with a team like the Washington Commanders or even into the 20s with the Minnesota Vikings the value would match. And for a divisive safety class, Branch stands out as the clear top prospect.

The Cardinals are more than likely going to have to replace Budda Baker, who recently asked for a trade and Branch makes a ton of sense. Branch has the versatility to play deep, nickel, or near the line of scrimmage. Sounds familiar, right? Branch's value will vary on draft boards, but his impact will be immediate.

Lukas Van Ness

How Van Ness was not a full-time starter at Iowa is baffling to many considering how dominant he was on he field when he was out there. With a great athletic profile and production to match, Van Ness's draft stock has soared throughout he draft process.

While Van Ness could be a work in progress, I believe his upside justifies a high selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. In Gannon's defense, Van Ness could have serious Pro Bowl potential even as a rookie.