Arizona's Acquisitions: 143 Combined starts, 0 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pro Awards, 0 All-Rookie teams
Trade Partners' Acquisitions: 196 Combined starts, 7 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pros, 4 All-Rookie teams
Commentary:
One of the main purposes in documenting the early results of Monti Ossenfort's draft trades is to refute the on-going claims from Cardinals' fans that Monti made out even in the 2023 Texans' and Lions' trades.
I'd give it a solid B
Franchise LT secured in PJJ. Garrett Williams played out of position in 2025 but was arguably the best slot CB in the NFL in 2024. Michael Wilson is coming off a breakout 1000yd campaign.
Dante Stills has been a good contributor on the DL with 21 career
I'll grade it a D. Could have had one of the best defensive players in the league in Will Anderson Jr. Instead Monti goes and gets Mr. Glass Ojulari and gets the draft bust of Darius Robinson the following draft as part of that trade.
It is actually a really decent class. PJJ is a pro bowl level LT. Williams wasn't great last year but the season before he looked a top end slot corner. Wilson is a 1,000 yard receiver. Stills has been a really nice rotational DT.
Passing on Will Anderson Jr. and reaching for an injured underachiever at LSU in B.J. Ojulari, with Brian Branch still on the board were mistakes, no matter which way one looks at it.
Paris Johnson Jr.is a good player, but the two players the Cardinals gave up to the Lions the #12 and #34 picks are Pro Bowlers, in addition to passing on a 1st Team All-Pro at the top of the draft.
However, if Paris Johnson Jr. emerges as a Pro Bowl worthy LT, Garrett Williams returns healthy and stars in a hybrid zone safety role, Michael Wilson confirms this season that he is a bona fide WR1, Jon Gaines II wins the starting RG and plays well and Owen Pappoe and Dante Stills have breakout seasons in their contract years, then the Cardinals' 2023 draft class can be deemed an overall success, especially if Monti recoups from missing out on Will Anderson Jr. and Brian Branch in 2023 by selecting edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (or David Bailey) and man-to-man slot CB Keionte Scott (or D'Angelo Ponds/Treydan Stukes).
2023 Cardinals Draft Grade: TBD.
Will Monti learn from his past mistakes? Not if this happens:
2026 1st round Trade Winds
There is “buzz” around the NFL that the Cowboys could trade up from the No. 12pickto select Texas Tech DE David Bailey, with the Cardinals being a potential trade partner at No. 3, per Todd McShay.
The major reason why mock trades like this are proposed is that Monti did this in 2023, passing on the top pass rusher to then take an offensive tackle.
The book on Monti is:
1. He's ever eager to trade down.
2. He seems to prioritize offensive tackles more than edge rushers. Which is also why so many pundits and fans have Monti taking T Francis Mauigoa at #3 ahead of Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey.
One of the main arguments for Monti trading down in 2023 is the need he felt to accumulate extra draft picks, at time sacrificing quality over quantity.
After drafting 28 players over the past 3 years and not having one player make a Pro Bowl, high quality is needed in 2026, not quantity. The roster is deep. However, it is not as star-studded as the Seahawks', Rams' and 49ers'. If there ever was a draft for the Cardinals to reach for the stars, then the 2026 draft is the one.
Note --- the overall response is very positive.
The perception remains that Paris Johnson Jr. is a "Pro Bowl level" left tackle. Fact is, he hasn't been thus far.
Another generous perception is that Garrett Williams is one of the best slot CBs in the NFL. In zones, yes. In man-to-man, no.
The greatest value pick of this draft is WR Michael Wilson.
The most talented Day 3 player is G Jon Gaines II, but many fans have written him off.
2023 PFF Grades:
* T Paris Johnson Jr. --- 76.6
* OLB B.J. Ojulari --- 49.0
* CB Garrett Williams --- 62.5
* WR Michael Wilson --- 76.4
* Jon Gaines II --- 60.3
* QB Clayton Tune --- cut
* LB Owen Pappoe - 64.1
* CB Kei'Trel Clark --- 56.1 --- 73.1 Special Teams
Drew Petzing Deserves More Praise Than Derision image courtesy of @azcardinals.com By Walter Mitchell On X yesterday, there was this chance for Cardinals' fans to grade Jonathan Gannon, Drew Petzing and Nick Rallis thanks to @BirdmanofAZ. Bird Droppings @BirdmanofAZ Bye week report card.......coaching staff Jonathan Gannon ________ Drew Petzing ________ Nick Rallis ________ Here are the average results thus far of the fans' grades: Jonathan Gannon: D Drew Petzing: F Nick Rallis: C Why is it that Drew Petzing has drawn such abject scorn from Cardinals' fans? Going back to last year, the PHNX Cardinals media site has been waging a daily campaign to see Drew Petzing get fired, that is if he can't coach up a weekly magical connection between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. This season, in light of Kyler Murray's inconsistencies and Marvin Harriso...
By Walter Mitchell Talk about a player who is fired up about his teammates, new coaches and the Arizona community, Paris Johnson Jr., in his interview with Bo Brack and Johnny Venerable on the PHNX Cardinals Podcast, lit the match to a blowtorch of jalapeno-hot takes about the 2026 Arizona Cardinals. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQLYNPP8POM&t=4704s The first order of business was to promote PJJ's charity "Putts for a Purpose" which took place last weekend, with the purpose being to raise enough money to build houses for military veterans and students who require financial aid. Paris is working in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity and hand in hand with Kurt Warner who has generously offered to furnish the first house upon its completion. When it came to talk about his boys, Paris Johnson Jr. was ecstatic about having the chance to elaborate in fine detail about the considerable talent the Cardinals have been building on offense. He's psyched t...
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