The best-case scenario for the Arizona Cardinals this NFL Draft

The Super Bowl marks the biggest stage a player and coach can perform on.

The equivalent for NFL general managers is the NFL Draft.

And so far, Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has come to play.

In each of his past two NFL Drafts, Ossenfort has come away with premium talent while continuing to add draft capital via trades.

We saw a masterclass of that in 2023, when the general manager maneuvered his way down the first round and then back up before coming away with cornerstone left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and a future first-rounder that turned into defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

Now in 2025, it’s time to get back on the phone come Thursday.

Trading down the way to go for Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort in 2025 NFL Draft

Before going any further, let it be known:

Sticking at No. 16 overall is not a bad move whatsoever. There is plenty of talent to consider with the pick at multiple positions of need.

The best-case scenario for Arizona in 2025, though, revolves around moving down in the first round and adding draft capital.

If there’s anything to take away from this year’s draft, it’s the amount of depth within the trenches. That should be music to the Cardinals’ ears.

While Arizona went all-in on upgrading the defensive side of the line of scrimmage, the other side of the football could use some work this draft.

Whether it be an offensive guard, which is arguably the Cardinals’ biggest need heading into the draft, or adding a tackle of the future, Arizona is going to have options following a move down.

The beef to watch for the Cardinals this NFL Draft

And two of those options — Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson — already have a good idea of what Cardinals offensive line coach Justin Frye wants out of his players.

Ever since it was announced that Frye was heading to Arizona, the two Ohio State Buckeye linemen have been firmly on the radar as potential Cardinals options.

There’s a higher chance the Cardinals could miss out on Simmons with a trade down, but if not, he would give Arizona its bookend tackle of the future alongside Johnson.

Jackson meanwhile would provide Arizona with a legit starting option at the guard spot opposite Evan Brown.

And much like Simmons, he already has a built-in relationship with Johnson after spending two seasons together at Ohio State.

“I’m kind of cheering for some of my guys to come here, especially on that Ohio State line,” Johnson said Tuesday.

“I’d love to see some of those guys in the room. Not because I played with them, but because they’re familiar with how we were taught by Frye.”

Jackson and Simmons would make for fine first-round options for the Cardinals come Thursday. They would also likely be there later in the round following any potential trade.

Landing Alabama guard Tyler Booker, however, just feels like the 1a move in the first round.

Sure, he didn’t put together impressive tape at the NFL Draft Combine.

You know where he did? Across three seasons at Alabama.

Not only would the 6-foot-5, 321-pounder fill a massive need along the interior, he would also give Arizona the certified mauler it’s missing with former enforcer Will Hernandez a free agent.

Tyler Booker (LG) stood out on the Milroe tape without specifically watching him.

Had some stud reps pic.twitter.com/NIayskw1F9

— Luke Grant (@LukeGrant7) February 13, 2025

There’s really no telling where Booker might land this NFL Draft. Some view him as a no-doubt first-rounder. Others have dropped him down into the second round.

If the Cardinals do in fact trade down, will he even be there? It’s seriously up in the air.

Honorable mentions

The three names above are can’t-go-wrong options.

Other prospects to consider are offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) and interior lineman Grey Zabel (North Dakota State).

About that draft capital picked up via trade

There’s no telling how far the Cardinals could trade back in the first round.

But if they’re hoping to land any of the above names, staying inside the top 25 seems like the safest bet.

As for what the pick added in any deal might look like, don’t put the blinders on to just this season.

Given the revamp Arizona has had this offseason, the roster spots aren’t as aplenty as they were heading into the previous two NFL Drafts.

Adding a Day 2 pick this draft would be nice but looking ahead to next year’s draft could be much more advantageous.

Stick with me here.

The Cardinals are clearly in go-now mode after doubling their win total and undergoing a busy offseason that saw Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell come aboard to help remedy glaring needs up front.

🚨 BEACH POD 🚨

"We need to get the job done right now."

Kelvin Beachum is back alongside @Tdrake4sports and @koval_lauren to talk the Cardinals' upward trajectory, what Arizona's moves this offseason mean for 2025 and more!

Full episode: https://t.co/UBjkQeArLf pic.twitter.com/1RgOdbp8by

— Cardinals Corner (@AZCardsCorner) April 22, 2025

All eyes are (and should be) on the playoffs. Anything less would be a failure.

If that is the correct trajectory, why not add some additional draft capital next season? The expectation is Arizona is sitting lower in the 2026 draft order with an improved record.

Having another lottery ticket that isn’t directly tied to Arizona’s record in 2025 could keep the Cardinals one step ahead.

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