The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and while everyone seems to be talking about which quarterbacks teams like the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts will take within the top four, the real question is what will the Arizona Cardinals do at the no. 3 spot?
The Cardinals already have a franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray. Logic seems to indicate that they’ll either trade the pick for more draft capital, or use it to take Alabama stud linebacker Will Anderson Jr.—whom many consider to be the most talented player in this year’s class.
However, it appears as though a third option has suddenly emerged. According to a story from Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon, the Cards could consider using the third overall pick to draft one of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson or Will Levis.
Then, the Cards could turn around and try flipping Murray for big draft haul. Even if they have to wait until the 2024 offseason, the payoff could be well worth it.
Via Bleacher Report:
Still, the Cardinals could save $3 million against the 2023 cap by trading Murray after June 1, per Spotrac. His ongoing recovery from the ACL tear might throw a wrench into that, but the fact even a 2024 trade would create significant cap savings for the Cardinals ($38.9 million) could cause them to consider taking C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young or Anthony Richardson with the No. 3 overall pick.
Arizona could take one of those guys now and then trade Murray for a slew of 2024 draft capital this summer or fall. Although the Cardinals aren’t expected to be a serious contender in 2023, that would make them one of the NFL’s most intriguing squads in 2024.
Murray suffered a torn ACL late in the 2022 season and is expected to miss at least a portion of the 2023 campaign. That has caused the Cardinals to consider using the upcoming season (which is expected to be a rough one for the franchise) as another opportunity to rebuild their roster with high draft picks.
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It seems like they’re already getting that rebuild going by shopping star receiver DeAndre Hopkins to any interested teams. With cap savings of $3-million this year (or $38.9-million in 2024), and the possibility of adding a ton of draft capital, don’t be surprised if the Cardinals decide they’re done with Kyler Murray by taking his replacement at the 2023 NFL Draft.
