Cardinals Have Golden Opportunity in 2023 NFL Draft

PHOENIX -- We're just hours away from the 2023 NFL Draft, and after the assumed selection of Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick, anybody's guess is valid as to what will transpire at the top of the order.

The Houston Texans are the ultimate wild card with the second pick, as their direction of either defensive cornerstone or quarterback could potentially dictates who does what the rest of the top ten.

Then, you have the Arizona Cardinals.

It's been quite the offseason here in the desert. After a 4-13 season, the Cardinals cleaned house and enter the draft with a new front office and new coaching staff on deck.

Franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is currently in the middle of his rehab from a torn ACL, and the Cardinals have lost considerable talent in the likes of J.J. Watt, Byron Murphy and Zach Allen. DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker are other names that could potentially join that list soon.

No matter how you slice it - between the actual football losses and everything else that's haunted Arizona off the field - it's been another ugly offseason for an organization that at times just can't get out of its own way.

However, tonight brings opportunity.

For what it's worth, the Cardinals are rebuilding. Don't let Gannon's coy remarks about his despise for the term throw you off: Arizona has hit the rest button, and for good reason when you start to look around.

They've done a pretty good job of that, too. The Cardinals have stuck to their guns in free agency, not overpaying on anybody or wanting to grab any big names. Owner Michael Bidwill refused to give up a first-round pick for Sean Payton's services, and the Cardinals have yet to blink at Baker's request to be the highest paid at his position.

If you're actually going to tear things down to build them back up again, it's smart to start from square one and not take any shortcuts - Arizona has done just that, by the book.

Back to tonight - the Cardinals are in a win-win scenario.

Arizona can either stay at No. 3 and take a wide variety of players that include talented edge players such as Will Anderson/Tyree Wilson or begin the youth movement along the offensive line with Paris Johnson Jr. with the third pick.

Or the Cardinals can trade down with a team looking to package everything but the kitchen sink to move up and get their future franchise quarterback. Rumor currently has it that Tennessee could be that team, but there's also smoke that Arizona has multiple teams ready to dance.

With so many holes to fill on the roster, Ossenfort has the opportunity to trade down, acquire more valuable draft assets for both this and next year (which could include a future first-round pick) and still be in position to take an impact player wherever they trade down to.

There's been so much negative talk and energy surrounding the Cardinals in the last 12 months, but the 2023 NFL Draft brings opportunity.

It brings the potential to get Arizona's next cornerstone player for the future. It brings the possibility to get pick rich for 2023 and 2024. There's a chance the Cardinals can accomplish both if they play their cards right.

When rebuilding, things seemingly get worse before they get better. As previously discussed, Arizona has done a strong, textbook job of doing what they need to do.

The NFL draft is a marathon, but the Cardinals have a golden opportunity to really ensure things begin moving in the right direction tonight.

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