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: Safety April 18; Outside linebacker April 19
Draft primer: Tight end
Players under contract: Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, Travis Vokolek, Bernhard Seikovits
The Cardinals' situation: After a record-breaking season, Trey McBride recently became the highest-paid player in the NFL at the tight end position. The deal reaffirms how important McBride is to the fabric of the offense. He's not the only tight end that the Cardinals rely on. Elijah Higgins and Tip Reiman were heavily utilized in 12 and 13 personnel packages. Serving mostly as a blocking tight end, Reiman played over 40 percent of the offensive snaps during his rookie season.
The draft class: The top tight ends in the draft class are out of the Big Ten with Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland. There are a few teams picking ahead of the Cardinals who are in need of a tight end but also could pivot and select a defensive player. Where the tight ends and quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart land will shake up many draft boards.
The conclusion: One of the Cardinals' strongest position groups is at tight end. McBride has grown, as has Higgins and Reiman. With Travis Vokolek also on the active roster throughout the 2024 season, heading into this year, the Cardinals likely won't add to the group in the draft.
A look at some of the top tight ends entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) pulls in a touchdown pass as Boise State safety Ty Benefield (0) defends during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (18) plays against Texas in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo catches a 33-yard touchdown pass in front of Iowa State defensive back Drew Surges (29) during the first half of the Pop Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Penn State safety Jaylen Reed (1) tackles Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (0) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
LSU tight end Mason Taylor runs after a reception against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) carries the ball during the Rose Bowl CFP NCAA quarterfinal college football game against Ohio State, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in Pasadena, Calif. (Brooke Sutton via AP)
Texas tight end Gunnar Helm, right, runs in front of Ohio State safety Sonny Styles (6) during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) pursues Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) during the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson's Jake Briningstool (9) catches pass against Virginia Tech's Caleb Woodson (20) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)
Georgia tight end Ben Yurosek (84) runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 28-10. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
