The Arizona Cardinals are making preparations to host the 2025 NFL Draft, focusing on needs that can be addressed. Of these needs, improving the offensive line is still the most pressing need for the team going into the 2023 offseason. General Manager Monti Ossenfort and Assistant General Manager Dave Sears are currently in the process of finalizing the big board of prospects. They hope to have it finalized in the next few days, just in time for the draft kickoff on Thursday.
Make no mistake, the Cardinals are very much in the thick of evaluating their needs. Improving the right and left guard spots is the key to improving the offensive line. Veteran receiver Zay Jones is returning for their rookie campaign! That said, we do want to upgrade the receiver room. This addition would help give Offensive Coordinator Drew Petzing plenty of depth on the offensive front, providing them flexibility in their offensive approach.
This off-season the Cardinals are committing more resources to their edge rush than they have ever done before. This desire blossomed further once they drafted Josh Sweat. Arizona’s defensive coordinator Nick Rallis is prepared to integrate new talent into the rotation, which already includes BJ Ojulari, Baron Browning, and Zaven Collins. In 2021, the defense generated just 41 sacks, good for a tie for 13th in the NFL.
Offensive Line Priorities
The Cardinals have signaled as much through actions and words, letting it be known that fixing their offensive line is the key to their success. Ossenfort stressed taking players who can come in and help right away.
“I think no matter where it is, if we can add an impact player that checks boxes for us both on and off the field, it is never going to be a bad pick,” – Monti Ossenfort
The team seems to be fully aware of how important it is to fill both the right guard and left guard positions. With their big board of prospects nearing completion, Arizona could opt to make a significant move in the first round if a fitting player is available. Beyond the rules, the actual decision-making process will put team needs up against the idea of picking the best player available.
As they set their sights on the draft, Ossenfort shared the difficulty that lies in forecasting what will happen.
“I think now it’s more we sit and wait, and it’s hard to predict.” – Monti Ossenfort
The Cardinals’ strategy will hinge on finding a player who can fulfill a defined role while fitting into the team culture.
Receiver Depth
Now that they have Zay Jones back in the fold, there has been speculation about them adding to their WR corps. With the possibility of drafting another receiver, whether in the first round or later rounds, Arizona aims to deepen its options. This change would free Petzing to have more time and resources in creating a variety of offensive plays.
As far as receiver, it’ll make for better competition during camp, but be better for the team as a whole. The Cardinals have been focused on cultivating homegrown talent that is able to blossom in the organization.
“It’s thought out because [Ossenfort is] not going to pick someone that we don’t feel good about his role as he steps in here to start his time as a Cardinal. That’s cool because it can be a challenge for some guys too.” – Jonathan Gannon
By establishing a robust receiver room, the Cardinals hope to create a dynamic offense capable of adapting to various game situations.
Strengthening Edge Rush
One of the other big focuses and priorities for the Cardinals has been to get better as an edge rusher unit. The recent addition of Josh Sweat provides a serious upgrade to this effort. The Cardinals finished last season with 41 sacks, indicating that while their defense showed promise, there is still room for improvement.
The present edge rush corpse is young with high ceiling intriguing youngsters like BJ Ojulari, Baron Browning and Zaven Collins. Rallis is excited to continue building his unit this offseason by attracting new faces who can come in and add value.
As teams prepare for the draft later this spring, the need to make educated decisions has never been more critical. The Cardinals’ leadership understands that it takes intentionality in acquiring talent to execute on their strategic plan of achieving a high level of success.
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