The Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort made a stunning statement about the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
According to the Washington Post, “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.”
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.’
The decision to pick at four or to trade back will be made over the next month, and many overlapping elements will influence it.
Arizona Cardinals Projected Pick
The Cardinals hold the fourth and 27th overall pick (acquired from the Texans last year) in the first round this year. Kyler Murray is their quarterback for the future, signing a five-year $230 million deal before 2023, but they lack talent in every other area of the field.
If Monti decides to stick with the fourth pick, they will likely grab a player to help Kyler on the offensive side of the ball. It could be a skill position, like a Marvin Harrison Jr. or a Malik Nabers, or someone to help protect Kyler in Joe Alt or Olumuyiwa “Olu” Fashanu.
No one would blame Monti for trading back and acquiring more picks. Arizona impressed many last season with their ability to compete in every game, but they lacked the talent to pull together wins.
Additions to Cardinals this Offseason
This Cardinals team, which has been fairly quiet so far this offseason, needs major help. 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. These are all great role players but lacking in star power.
The Cardinals lost some significant pieces as well. Defensive lineman Leki Fotu and wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown were two headliners for losses this offseason in Arizona.
Possible Trade Suitor
Lately, a team name has been popped up as a possible suitor to trade up for a better chance at being a quarterback. The Minnesota Vikings have recently made a move with the Houston Texans to acquire two first-round picks for 2024. The Vikings now hold onto the 11th and 23rd overall picks.
Could these two picks, with an additional pick or two, be enough to persuade Monti Ossenfort to trade out of the fourth overall spot? We shall wait and see.
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