NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals trade down twice in 2023 NFL draft projection
With the NFL draft on Thursday, we decided to take a gander at some recent NFL mock draft projections for the Arizona Cardinals, to see what the team could do with its first round pick at No. 3 overall.
The Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman's pick and explanation for the Cardinals makes a lot of sense one day out from the draft.
He has the team selecting Alabama edge Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3, writing: "As much as I can see Arizona trading down from this spot with a quarterback-needy team (see the Titans at No. 11) ready to pounce on either C.J. Stroud from Ohio State, Will Levis from Kentucky or Anthony Richardson from Florida, I was struck by coach Jonathan Gannon’s comment last week that the Cardinals have a single player in mind and his quote that “we’re going to get him.” I’d bypass a trade here and stick with Anderson, who solves a ton of problems at a particular position of need."
McManaman is not alone in his thinking, with a lot of other NFL mock draft projections having Arizona take Anderson, if he is in fact available when the Cardinals select.
More: When is the NFL draft? Dates, times, location, TV channels, order, top picks for event
What if Will Anderson Jr. isn't available for Cardinals?
Another NFL mock draft really caught our attention for what it has the Cardinals doing Thursday night.
Sports Illustrated has the Cardinals trading down not once, but twice in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, receiving a haul of future draft picks in the process.
In Richie Bradshaw's mock draft, Anderson goes to the Houston Texans at No. 2, leaving Arizona in a quandary with what to do with the pick. He has the Cardinals trading it to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for the No. 11 and No. 41 picks this season and first-round picks in 2024 and 2025.
Tennessee takes Florida QB Anthony Richardson at No. 3.
Then at No. 11, Sports Illustrated has Arizona trading with the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 23 and 87 picks this season and first-round picks in 2024 and 2025.
The Vikings take Kentucky QB Will Levis at No. 11.
With the No. 23 pick in the draft, Bradshaw projects Arizona to take Georgia CB Kelee Ringo, who played high school football at Scottsdale Saguaro High in the Phoenix area.
He wrote: "The Cardinals moved down 20 spots and secured four future first-round picks and extra second and third-round picks in this year's draft class. And the best part is they still got a high-upside cornerback in Ringo. The hometown prospect was up-and-down with Georgia but had a lot more highs than lows. Ringo recorded the game-sealing pick-six in the 2022 National Championship game against Alabama and he has ball skills that remind many of Marcus Peters. With his elite ball-hawking ability and overall profile, this is as good a value as you'll get moving down 20 spots."
More: NFL draft prediction: Arizona Cardinals take EDGE at No. 3 overall
Who else could Cardinals take at No. 3 in NFL draft?
NFL.com's Charles Davis has the Cardinals upgrading the offensive line by picking Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 3. Interestingly, NBC Sports projects the same pick for Arizona.
A different NBC Sports mock draft has Arizona going with Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson, as does Walter Football.
The Ringer's pick for the Cardinals at No. 3? Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has Arizona taking Georgia DL Jalen Carter in his what teams 'should' do mock draft.
More: Arizona Cardinals' Budda Baker trade speculation swirls ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
What other trades could Cardinals make in 2023 NFL draft?
Trade speculation has swirled around the Cardinals and their No. 3 pick for weeks, so there is no shortage of mock draft trades including Arizona.
Pro Football Focus has the Cardinals trading the No. 3 pick to the Tennessee Titans for No. 11 and No. 41 this year, as well as a second rounder next season. The Titans get Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud at No. 3. The Cardinals get Northwestern OT Peter Skoronoski at No. 11.
NFL.com's Eric Edholm has the Cardinals finding a willing trade partner with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7, with Christian Gonzalez as Arizona's pick.
Gonzalez is somewhat of a trendy pick for the Cardinals. NBC Sports' Peter King has Arizona taking him at No. 11 after trading down with the Titans.
Another big trade that caught our eye in a mock draft for the Cardinals came from The Draft Network's Justin Melo, who has Arizona landing the No. 24 and No. 87 pick this season and first-round picks in 2024 and 2025 and Danielle Hunter for the No. 3 pick.
More: Arizona Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins trade speculation heats up before 2023 NFL Draft
What will the Arizona Cardinals do in NFL draft?
Will the Cardinals stay at No. 3 and take Will Anderson Jr.? Who could be the pick if the Alabama edge is off the board?
Could the team trade down in the first round on Thursday night and get a package of picks to help them rebuild?
We don't have to wait long to find out.
The 2023 NFL draft is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. MST Thursday.
Will the Cardinals make the right moves in the first round?
More: Arizona Cardinals slammed for attending Kyler Murray statue unveiling before NFL draft
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals trade down twice in 2023 NFL draft
