Flexibility critical for Arizona Cardinals this NFL Draft

TEMPE — Things are different this NFL Draft for Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort.

After back-to-back years of top 5 picks in the first round, Arizona finds itself smack dab in the middle of the draft order at No. 16 overall.

And with more teams ahead of the Cardinals than the previous two drafts, there are way more variables to take into account.

A lot can happen before Arizona is on the clock.

“It certainly is different. I think now it’s more of we sit and wait. It’s hard to predict.”

It’s all about staying flexible when it comes to the No. 16 pick for Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort, who has entered the past two NFL Drafts with top 5 picks. pic.twitter.com/75gbbKh3tP

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 16, 2025

“I think now it’s more we sit and wait. It’s hard to predict,” Ossenfort said Wednesday for his annual pre-draft press conference alongside head coach Jonathan Gannon. “We’ll do a few exercises next week where we try to take a look at what we think is going to happen, but in reality, there’s 32 teams and their boards look 32 different ways.

“(Are there) challenges? Yes. But really, it’s just staying flexible and being ready to have options for whatever comes our way. We’ll be ready to do that at 16.”

Plenty of ways Cardinals can go in the first round this NFL Draft

There are plenty of ways the Cardinals can utilize the No. 16 overall pick next Thursday.

With just six picks currently this draft, Ossenfort could very well look to move off No. 16 for a later first-round pick that comes with added draft capital.

Given his track record of making moves the past two years, it wouldn’t be all that surprising.

He could also move up in the order but that seems unlikely with limited draft capital to add in any prospective deal.

Sticking and picking, however, is very much on the table.

However it happens, Arizona is primed to add high-profile talent. As for who that might be is a whole other question.

While the Cardinals entered the offseason with glaring needs at pass rusher and defensive line, they went out and added Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell this free agency to beef up that side of the football.

Those needs have shifted more into wants a week out from the draft, with offensive line (specifically guard) now higher up on the to-do list. Kyzir White remaining unsigned and a reunion appearing unlikely, tosses inside linebacker into the mix, too.

But there’s more that goes into it than trying to fill an immediate need, says Ossenfort.

It’s not all about perceived roster needs for Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort when talking about the 16th pick.

“Regardless of who we added and we didn’t add (in free agency), we’re just looking for good players and good people. If we do that, then we’re going to be alright.” pic.twitter.com/pnCDDzSLap

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 16, 2025

“You can never go wrong adding a good player and a good person,” the GM said. “I learned a long time ago that what is perceived as a need or maybe not as a need one year and fast forward three, four, five months later or a year later and all of a sudden it is a need. Injuries happen in this game. There’s player movement that happens from year to year.

“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’s never going to be a bad pick. Regardless of who we added, who we didn’t add (this free agency), we’re just looking for good players and good people. If we do that, we’re going to be all right.”

Follow @Tdrake4sports