Top Targets, Best Fits for Cardinals After First Round of NFL Draft

Day two of the 2023 NFL Draft is a few hours away and there remain plenty of targets for the Arizona Cardinals to target.

Richie Bradshaw | Apr 28, 2023

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Arizona Cardinals

Welcome to Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals fans! And in case you were wondering, it's going to be a busy day.

The Cardinals currently possess four picks (pending trades) including the second pick of the second round (34) and three third-round picks (81, 94, and 96). With plenty of talent still available, there's no doubt the Cardinals can continue having a great draft to get more talent added to this squad.

The 34th pick will have three offensive and three defensive players available, as only one player will be selected ahead of them. For the third-round picks, I just listed three players on either side of the ball that may or may not be available.

That being said, keep your eyes on these players on day two of the 2023 NFL Draft for Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon to add to the Cardinals:

Pick 34

Top offensive options:

John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
O'Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

The Cardinals still have a lot of needs to fill across the offensive line and the center position might have the direst need for an upgrade. Schmitz is nearly the universal top prospect at center and a plug-and-play starter. Torrence is also a day one starter at guard. Hyatt has true deep speed to take the top off the defense and is the reigning Fred Biletnikoff Award winner.

Top defensive options:

Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech

We all know Gannon will want to add to his defense soon. Branch can play safety and nickel in a similar way to Budda Baker. Should they trade him, he's a good replacement; if they don't, they can easily co-exist on the field together. Nobody foresaw Porter Jr. falling out of round one, so naturally the Cardinals should pounce on an opportunity to get a top corner. White was invited to the draft but wasn't selected on day one. A chip on his shoulder could make this versatile defender a steal

Pick 81

Projected options:

Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss

The Cardinals have four running backs on the roster at the moment but none possess the upside that Charbonnet has. Charbonnet can be the Cardinals' future at the position with bell-cow potential. Foskey was a highly productive pass rusher at Notre Dame and a great value in round three. Mingo has received a lot of buzz for day two and he can be a great safety valve for Kyler Murray out wide.

Pick 94

Projected options:

Siaka Ika, IDL, Baylor
Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah

The Cardinals have some bodies for the nose tackle spot in Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence, but both are free agents following the 2023 season and Ika could be better than both. Johnson is a safety you either love or hate, but the end of round three feels like terrific value. Phillips III is being labeled as a "slot only" but that shouldn't deter the Cardinals from taking a top-tier cornerback prospect.

Pick 96

Projected options:

Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
Andre Carter, EDGE, Army
Luke Wypler, IOL, Ohio State

Ricks entered the 2022 season as a potential round-one pick and never took the next step. The Cardinals can capitalize on his fall and bank on some major upside to become a stud. Carter is a massive human with great production at Army. With his waiver in place, he can be a day-one player for the Cardinals. The need for a center is strong and the Cardinals have been heavily linked to Wypler, who would start day one.