Monti Ossenfort ready for anything when it comes to Cardinals’ No. 3 pick

TEMPE — Should they stay or should they trade down?

New Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has a big decision to make when it comes to the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Keeping the draft pick means adding a potential franchise-altering talent. But trading the selection would warrant added assets that could help in Arizona’s rebuild back to relevancy.

It’s a good problem to have for the new Cardinals GM, although picking that high is a trend he would like to avoid.

“Well, it’s exciting. I hope we don’t pick third overall again, that’s for one,” Ossenfort said Tuesday. “The benefit is that we’re going to be ready to pick a premium player that’s going to be able to come in here and have an impact on our team. That’s the benefit. The other benefit is there could be calls on that pick … We’re going to do what’s best for the team so if we get a chance to drop back and pick up additional picks that will help build the team, we’re going to entertain that.

“We’re in a great position and I would say the same for every pick of that round. There’s going to be action. The phone rings in the draft. The phone will ring. We’ll be ready to take a good player and we’ll be ready to listen to offers, too, so we’re in a great position with that pick.”

At third overall, the Cardinals are in a prime spot to build along the defensive front seven with the likes of interior lineman Georgia’s Jalen Carter or pass rusher Alabama’s Will Anderson.

Pairing one of those two with Zach Allen would give Arizona a solid tandem to work with down in the trenches. That is if the unrestricted free agent sticks around after posting the second-most sacks on the team with 5.5.

But you can’t forget about the QB-needy teams who could be looking to pay a pretty penny to move up a few spots to nab who could be their next franchise signal caller. While the Chicago Bears, who sit No. 1 overall and Cardinals aren’t in the market for a QB, six teams within the top 10 very well could be.

While the Houston Texans seemingly have their pick at whatever signal caller they see fit at No. 2 overall, the same can’t be said for the Indianapolis Colts (No. 4), Seattle Seahawks (No. 5), Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7), Atlanta Falcons (No. 8) and Carolina Panthers (No. 9).

Make sure to keep your phone on loud, Monti.

Follow @Tdrake4sports