Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort had 12 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the most by an NFL team since 1992. This year, the Cardinals' six selections will slice that total in half, the least amount of picks since Ossenfort took over in 2023. Their first pick is slotted at No. 16. Arizona addressed some of their needs during free agency, but the identity Jonathan Gannon and Ossenfort have built resembles a draft and develop team.
Primer Schedule: Cornerback April 4; Wide receiver April 7; Inside linebacker April 9; Defensive line April 15; Running back April 16; Tight end April 17; Safety April 18; Outside linebacker April 19
Draft primer: QB
Previous primers: OL
Players under contract: Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett, Clayton Tune
The Cardinals' situation: Kyler Murray is the Cardinals' guy this season. Continuity throughout the offense will allow the Cardinals quarterback to further develop a rapport with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., tight end Trey McBride, and the other targets. The room welcomes in a new voice after the signing of ten-year veteran Jacoby Brissett, a proven backup capable of stepping in if Murray goes down. Clayton Tune enters his third season in the league with only one regular season start under his belt.
The draft class: The quarterback conversation in this year's class is fascinating yet drastically different than last year. In 2024, Caleb Williams was the clear No. 1 pick in the draft, followed by five other quarterbacks chosen in the next 11 picks. This year, Cam Ward appears to be the only quarterback that is unanimously projected as a first-round prospect. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders has been mocked as high as Top Three and as low as the second round. Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe have started to climb up draft boards following their pro days. The reality is there will be QBs that go higher than predicted; such is the reality with the position.
The conclusion: If the Cardinals didn't sign Brissett during free agency, the conclusion of this piece might have looked different. Jonathan Gannon had previously mentioned he prefers to have three quarterbacks in the room. Could they add someone to compete with Tune? Possibly. But it likely won't be a player they select early in the draft, if at all.
A look at some of the top quarterbacks entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
FILE - Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) throws a pass during the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game against Duke, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Jacksonville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) passes in the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough (9) prepares to make a pass while pressured by Boston College defensive tackle Cam Horsley (96) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) throws a pass during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Notre Dame, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) rolls out and looks to throw a pass during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Ohio State, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during the Rose Bowl CFP NCAA quarterfinal college football game against Ohio State, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord (6) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
