Cardinals Projected to Make Major NFL Draft Trade With Cowboys

The Arizona Cardinals have a number of options available to them with the third overall pick, which was emphasized by head coach Mike LaFleur's comments on the roster construction.

"We ended up just doing our draft stuff the other day, and we'll see where this thing goes. But again, I like where we're at from a roster standpoint. So you can kind of take that for what it is," LaFleur said while also mentioning general manager Monti Ossenfort did a good job in supplementing spots so Arizona didn't have to "reach" in the draft.

It would come as absolutely no surprise if Ossenfort (who openly suggested the Cardinals may not be picking at No. 3) moves down based off his prior draft history, where he's been willing to wheel and deal in the last three drafts he's orchestrated.

According to The Athletic, that again could be the case.

Cardinals, Cowboys Mock Draft Trade

Bruce Feldman, who used info from sources such as lscouts, coaches and agents, has the Cardinals trading down with the Dallas Cowboys in the first round to the 12th overall pick.

"Arizona really needs O-line help, but this spot seems too high for what is available in this draft, so trading back is the Cards’ best move," Feldman wrote. The Cardinals moved down for No. 12 and 92 — which is later in the third round.

The Cowboys ultimately moved up for edge rusher David Bailey, a player Arizona themselves may be eying with their original pick. Opposing Big 12 coaches described Bailey as "different" and "special" to Feldman.

Arizona, at No. 12, misses out on both top tackles prospects in Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano before selecting Monroe Freeling.

“He looks like a giant tight end with the way he can move and bend,” one SEC D-line coach told Feldman. “He’s a very impressive big athlete. He’s still pretty raw and gets off-balance and isn’t great with his hands — at least he wasn’t when we played him — but all the tools seem to be there. He needs to keep getting stronger.”

Honest Thoughts on Projected Deal, Outcome

Absolutely not.

The Cardinals moving completely out of the top ten for the price of a late third-round pick should have general manager Monti Ossenfort removed from his spot effective immediately, especially considering Arizona got far more in a similar trade with the Houston Texans back in 2023.

The price point alone is enough to warrant hesitation, though missing out on the top prospects in favor of Freeling at No. 12 simply wouldn't be good business.

If that's the offer, the Cardinals would clearly be better off sticking at No. 3 and taking the BPA regardless of position.