2023 NFL Draft: Cardinals Must Start Setting New Foundation

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The 2023 NFL Draft is a major launching point for every NFL team. For some, this is a moment in which a contender could further establish themselves by finding the final few pieces to a possible championship puzzle. There are other teams who are simply looking to forge a new path with a different direction. One team that is hoping to point their arrow in a fresh direction is the Arizona Cardinals. Ultimately, the 2023 NFL Draft presents them many paths for which to go down.

Arizona could be led to numerous outcomes, depending on the decision that they end up deciding to take during draft weekend. But above all else, the Cardinals must be striving and willing to rebuild this roster the right way. There are possible choices that stand out for them that can help kickstart that rebuild instantly.

How should the Arizona Cardinals essentially treat the 2023 NFL Draft? Plus, what qualities should matter most for this team during the 2023 season? Let’s kick it off.

2023 Should Be All About Young Player Development

Of course, winning is the name of the game and the number one goal for any NFL franchise. Arizona is just not in a tremendous position to be worrying about what their overall record in 2023 will be. Quarterback Kyler Murray is likely to miss the start of the season. Sure, modern medicine has led to quicker recoveries for players coming off of major injuries. Murray suffered a torn ACL so late in the 2022 regular season, though, which was back on December 14th. Not to mention, it can take players more than the initial recovery and rehab process to get back to feeling comfortable.

With Murray supposedly playing little to no games in 2023, you are left without your most dynamic offensive player. That is assuming that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is no longer around, given the trade rumors or possibility of him being released. Moreover, the Cardinals are among one of the worst rosters on paper in the NFL. On either side of the ball, there lacks many pillars or above average starters on this roster. It may be in Arizona’s best interest to let younger players develop with time on task and as many live reps as possible in 2023, as a result.

Quantity May Be Worth More Than Quality In Upcoming Draft

The Arizona Cardinals are in a unique position entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Unlike other teams picking in the top five, they already have their quarterback in place, with the aforementioned Murray. Despite the expectation that he will miss most of 2023, their signal caller spot appears to be set in stone for the next few years. We saw the NFL wait on a weaker quarterback class last year, resulting in only one first-round QB in 2022. Teams are not likely to treat quarterbacks the same in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. In fact, most people believe that we will see three passers selected in the top four or five picks, with a fourth QB possibly sneaking in there.

With quarterback-hungry teams picking near the top, the Cardinals are in a fascinating spot at third overall. They could have the opportunity to sit there and pick the first defensive player off the board. Will Anderson and even Jalen Carter are seen as some of the best defensive prospects in recent memory. Yet, Arizona may be better off by trading out of that number three spot.

As hard as it would be to possibly miss out on Anderson or Carter, the Cardinals needed to prioritize getting as much picks for the future as they possibly can. Perhaps, the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders or Tennessee Titans could trade up to three for a QB. There is a key for Arizona that is paramount, however. If they want to trade back out of three, the Cardinals must ask for nothing short of a king’s ransom. If they execute the plan of adding more quantity (extra draft picks), rather than quality (top player available at three), Arizona can begin the process of a much needed rebuild.

Future Foundation Is The Main Focus

As tough as it may sound, the Arizona Cardinals have to be willing to swallow a tough pill in 2023. It may get really ugly on the field. Things may get dire extremely early. Yet, this team has to admit to themselves that they are nowhere near competing for a playoff run. The long-term focus and establishing a new foundation for 2024 and beyond should be priority number one for the Cardinals. With new voices like head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort, Arizona has a chance to inject this roster with younger faces and different play styles.

Trading back from three overall should absolutely be highly considered during the 2023 NFL Draft. To boot, moving up and down the draft board in a few weeks should not be surrounded by any sort of restrictions. If the Arizona Cardinals want to set a sturdy new foundation right away, the future outlook must be on everyone’s minds during these upcoming selections, not the present.

Be on the lookout for more FPC 2023 NFL Draft articles and analysis throughout the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.