TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said he’s starting to field calls from other teams regarding the team’s No. 4 overall pick in next month’s NFL draft.
The second-year GM said that doesn’t mean he’s looking to make a trade. But if a good deal comes along, he’s willing.
“We’re always going to be listening,” Ossenfort said Wednesday. “We’ll always have the conversation. We may not get to a point where the deal makes sense, whether it’s at No. 4 or anywhere we’re picking, but we’re always going to have the conversation.”
The Cardinals are unlike many teams at the top of the draft because they already have a franchise quarterback. Kyler Murray is locked into a $230.5 million, five-year deal that could keep him in the desert through 2028.
Instead, Arizona needs help just about everywhere else. The Cardinals have been linked to two of the top receivers in this year’s draft pool — Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU’s Malik Nabers.
But there’s certainly a possibility that the Cardinals trade down. Ossenfort showed in his first year he’s not afraid to make bold draft-day moves.
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While on the clock, he dealt the No. 3 overall pick to the Houston Texans last season for the No. 12 and No. 33 selections, only to move back up to No. 6 in a deal with the Detroit Lions about an hour later. The Cardinals used the No. 6 selection on Paris Johnson Jr., who immediately became a team cornerstone at right tackle, starting all 17 games.
Ossenfort said he’s willing to wait until draft night again if that’s what it takes to get a good deal.
“We pick at 4 — that means we don’t know what’s going to happen at 1, 2 and 3,” Ossenfort said. “People have conversations, ‘Hey, if this happens, or if so-and-so is available here, maybe we can talk and it would look something like this.’
“But ultimately there’s still a lot of unknown and, really, there will be until we’re on the clock on that Thursday night in April.”
Draft night could be a big moment for the Cardinals, who have otherwise been fairly quiet to this point in the offseason. Some of their biggest signings include offensive tackle Jonah Williams, cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., running back DeeJay Dallas and defensive linemen Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols.
The Cardinals continued to make additions on Wednesday, announcing that offensive lineman Evan Brown had signed a one-year deal. He started 16 games at center for the Seahawks last season.
“We’ve got to get them on the grass,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. “When you watch the tape, there’s a role and a vision for each player that we sign up. Then it’s up to us to integrate them, catch them up the speed.”
The Cardinals also have a new backup quarterback in Desmond Ridder, who was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for receiver Rondale Moore.
Ridder, 24, started 13 games for the Falcons last season but struggled with consistency. He completed 64% of his passes for 2,836 yards, but had the same number of touchdown passes (12) as interceptions.
The Cardinals could use a solid backup quarterback considering Murray’s injury history. Murray missed the final four games of the 2022 season and nine more in 2023 because of a torn ACL in his right knee. He’s also dealt with hamstring and ankle issues over his five seasons.
Gannon and Ossenfort said the opportunity to add a young quarterback with experience was attractive.
“The skill set, big guy, arm talent, mobility, smart, plays fast,” Gannon said. “I thought he was a really good addition.”
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