It’s NFL Draft season. That means it’s mock draft season, and insider Todd McShay shared his latest on Wednesday, which included the Arizona Cardinals making a shocking first-round trade.
The Cardinals currently hold the No. 3 overall pick, but McShay has them trading that to the New Orleans Saints. In exchange, the Saints will be sending their No. 8 overall pick, the No. 42 overall pick, and a 2027 second-round pick back to the Cardinals.
In the mock, the Saints would be moving up to take Arvell Reese, an edge rusher from Ohio State. Meanwhile, the Cardinals would be set to take Spencer Fano, the offensive tackle from Utah, with the No. 8 pick.
“This would be a home-run move for GM Monti Ossenfort. He lands the right tackle in Fano to help finish off the offensive line rebuild while also picking up additional draft capital this year (no. 42) and next year (Saints’ second-rounder), giving Arizona real flexibility to get aggressive in its pursuit of a franchise quarterback in 2026 and/or 2027,” McShay wrote. “Arizona’s issues up front were clear last season, as it allowed the fifth-most sacks in the league (59) and struggled to run effectively outside the tackles. Fano directly addresses both problems and helps an improving unit that added Isaac Seumalo in free agency.”
It Appears the Arizona Cardinals Want to Make a First-Round Trade
GettyArizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort.
Throughout his time running the draft for Arizona, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort has been incredibly active, making trades. It now seems like that’s his goal again in the first round.
Sports Illustrated’s Donnie Druin broke this down recently. He wrote, “Through his three years orchestrating drafts in the desert, the Cardinals have moved up and down the board on all three days of festivities.”
This also comes at a time when there have been several reports surrounding the Cardinals and their top draft pick. Albert Breer, for instance, included the Cardinals on a list of teams looking to trade down.
“Teams picking behind the Jets are looking to move down. Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital. The problem for those five is finding teams to move up,” Breer wrote.
So, it certainly seems like the Cardinals are looking for a way to trade down. That would allow them the chance to add draft picks and address multiple issues on their roster as the team enters a new era, being led by head coach Mike LaFleur.
Mel Kiper Jr. Advocated for the Arizona Cardinals to Trade Down
GettyMel Kiper Jr. advises the Arizona Cardinals on their draft.
It certainly seems like a smart move for the Cardinals to trade down in the draft. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently explained. Arizona holds the key to this year’s draft with what they choose to do with the pick.
Kiper would go on to advocate for trading down. The positional value on their biggest needs isn’t there at No. 3 this year. So, they don’t want to reach, but add picks and still get the players they want or need.
“Because they, to me, are a trade down option,” Kiper said. “I think Arizona is going to be a team I’m going to look at and say, ‘That was a little too high for an offensive tackle.’ Or, do they take somebody else and throw a little curveball in there?”
The NFL Draft is now just over a week away. So, it’s almost decision time for Ossenfort and the Cardinals regarding their first-round pick.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Insider Todd McShay Mocks Shocking First-Round Trade for the Cardinals appeared first on Heavy Sports.