Six teams have called Arizona Cardinals about trade for No. 3 pick

We’ve already seen the price one team was willing to pay to trade up to the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Soon enough, we could see what the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick goes for, with franchises eyeing their quarterback of the future.

With Kyler Murray already on board, the Cardinals have no need to stay positioned at No. 3, knowing a top prospect will still be available after the Indianapolis Colts likely select a QB at No. 4. In turn, why shouldn’t the Cardinals keep their options open when it comes to trading down?

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “at least six teams” have called Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort inquiring about trading up to the third overall pick. Obviously, if a team is willing to pay the price, they’re coming after a top-ranked QB.

Yet, we may not see a trade come to fruition until the moment the Cardinals are on the clock after teams see which QB prospect is left after the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans both decide on their top pick. One of C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, or Will Levis will be available. Each team grades each player differently, so if their top-ranked QB is still available, the Cardinals could suddenly have a stronger offer on the table.

So, who might these unnamed teams be? We can only speculate, but we have a few theories.

Of course, a team like the Seattle Seahawks or Detroit Lions could look toward a future after 32-year-old Geno Smith or 28-year-old Jared Goff, yet both QBs made the Pro Bowl in 2022. The sense of urgency may not be there.

At No. 7, we’ve heard reports of the Las Vegas Raiders having interest in finding a long-term solution after 31-year-old Jimmy Garoppolo, but he just arrived. Would they really put the heat on Jimmy G right away? It’s possible.

Or there are teams like the Tennessee Titans, who have a new GM calling the shots. Ran Carthon could swing for the fences with Ryan Tannehill being 34 years old and in the final year of his contract. The Titans pick 11th and could very well package their pick plus next year’s first-round selection in addition to other assets to secure their future QB, even with Malik Willis existing as another option.

Moving further down the board, the New England Patriots don’t appear married to Mac Jones and could make a shocking move up for a transcendent QB with higher upside. New England holds the 14th pick.

Otherwise, Washington at 16, Tampa Bay at 19, Baltimore at 22, and Minnesota at 23 could also make sense for teams who have at least placed a call, gauging the potential cost for a gigantic move up the draft board.

That’s if the Cardinals want to move the pick at all. They may also not want to risk missing out on their top-ranked prospect. If a strong enough offer doesn’t come their way, Arizona could choose to stand pat instead. Either way, draft day should have plenty of intriguing plots to follow along with.