On Friday, the Carolina Panthers made their move as they traded up to the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears have had possession of the pick ever since the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts in the final week of the regular season. To move up, the Carolina Panthers sent their first-round pick (9) and second-round pick (61) in 2023, as well as their 2024 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, and WR DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears. With three of the first four teams in the NFL Draft poised to select a quarterback, the time is now for the Arizona Cardinals, who currently own the third overall pick, to explore the possibility of trading back in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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What Does The QB Market Look Like In The 2023 NFL Draft?
As it stands, three teams in the top five are in the quarterback market. The Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts are all likely to select new franchise quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With a stellar performance at the 2023 NFL Combine, Florida QB Anthony Richardson is likely to become the first overall selection. Alabama QB Bryce Young‘s size has been a discussion throughout the pre-draft process, and will likely continue to be up to draft night. Ohio State QB CJ Stroud, who many have as neck-to-neck with Bryce Young, remains one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, Kentucky QB Will Levis, who opted not to participate in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl due to a toe injury, has seen his draft stock tumble. Bryce Young and Will Levis have back-to-back pro days on March 23rd and 24th.
Why Trading Back Is The Right Move For The Arizona Cardinals In The 2023 NFL Draft
With three of the top four picks likely to be quarterbacks, the time is now for the Cardinals to find a trade partner. One team, the Tennessee Titans, were linked to the first overall pick previously. While the Cardinals are likely to force teams into a bidding war, it could be the right opportunity for the Titans to shove all of their chips into the center of the table.
A move up to the third overall pick could be a nice haul for the Arizona Cardinals. If they trade with the Colts or Raiders, they could look at a pair of first round picks, as well as one or two second round picks. With a team like the Titans selecting 11th in the 2023 NFL Draft, Arizona could net themselves a player as well.
Either way, if the Arizona Cardinals do opt to move back in the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s time for them to open up bidding. For a team that underperformed last season, not only could they obtain some solid draft capital, but also still find a nice prospect to build around. In fact, they could likely find the player that they would have originally targeted.
