NFL GM Believes Cardinals Want No. 1 Pick

ARIZONA -- Prior to the 2023 season, many believed the Arizona Cardinals were trying to tank.

Seven games through the regular season, new head coach Jonathan Gannon is just 1-6, though the team has looked anything but a participant in purposely trying to lose games.

As the NFL's trade deadline of Oct. 31 continues to draw closer, the Cardinals are again under the microscope. They're a hot candidate to play the role of sellers when the dust settles with a handful of big names to deal for future draft capital.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently published his "12 teams who could be sellers at the NFL trade deadline" piece where he spoke with multiple NFL general managers on who could be potential players in the trade market.

In his introduction, La Canfora mentioned the Cardinals as one of a handful of teams who have given the impression they'll be moving players at the trade deadline.

"Some teams have made it obvious to others that they will be moving players — including the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals — or at least that is the impression among those in the league who have spoken to their executives about potential acquisitions."

When specifically speaking about the Cardinals, La Confora highlighted a handful of players who could be moved on Arizona's end.

"Safety Budda Baker is one of many early-round picks who could be on the move. Rival general managers don’t like wide receiver Marquise Brown’s high salary, but if the Cardinals ate a few million bucks, well, maybe. Tight end Zach Ertz would look far better on a contender," said La Canfora.

One GM told him:

"The bottom is falling out there, and they want the first [overall] pick."

La Canfora wrapped up his thoughts on Arizona with, "Quarterback Kyler Murray’s days in the desert are numbered, but he won’t move by the deadline. Current starter Joshua Dobbs, a pending free agent, could fetch a better pick than the fifth-rounder that landed him."

The Cardinals will indeed do their due diligence through the next couple days - and to his credit - general manager Monti Ossenfort has been willing to due business regardless of name value if it makes sense for the future of the team.

Whether Arizona brass is actively rooting for the No. 1 pick remains to be seen, but moves during the season (such as the pending arrival of Kyler Murray) suggest the Cardinals will go down swinging if that's the case.