Offseason update for the Arizona Cardinals: the team agrees to trade for four draft picks, including Jordan Burch
In a move that’s sending shockwaves across the NFL landscape, the Cardinals have agreed to a high-profile trade that nets them four valuable draft picks and promising defensive lineman Jordan Burch. For a franchise seeking to reshape its identity and return to playoff relevance, this offseason maneuver could prove to be the defining stroke of the Monti Ossenfort era.
General Manager Monti Ossenfort took the reins of a faltering franchise last year, tasked with rebuilding a depleted roster and establishing long-term sustainability. With this trade, Ossenfort is doubling down on youth, versatility, and future flexibility.
The Cardinals received:
- Defensive lineman Jordan Burch
- A 2025 second-round pick
- A 2025 fifth-round pick
- A 2026 third-round pick
- A conditional 2026 fourth-round pick
In exchange, the Cardinals parted ways with veteran linebacker Zaven Collins and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The decision to move Collins, a former first-rounder, was not taken lightly—but Arizona’s front office clearly believes the value received outweighs the cost, both short and long-term.
“Rebuilding isn’t about patchwork,” Ossenfort said during the post-trade press conference. “It’s about making foundational decisions. We’re acquiring draft capital and a player in Jordan Burch who fits our defensive blueprint for the next decade.”
Jordan Burch might be new to the Valley, but his name has been buzzing in scouting circles for years. A former five-star recruit out of South Carolina, Burch transferred to Oregon for the 2023 college football season and thrived in Dan Lanning’s aggressive, pro-style defense. He recorded 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in his lone season with the Ducks, showcasing his potential as an edge disruptor.
After being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Burch had a promising rookie campaign. Though his stats were modest—2.5 sacks and 21 pressures in limited snaps—his film told a different story. Burch flashed elite burst, raw strength, and a relentless motor that made him one of the more intriguing young defensive linemen in the league.
In Arizona, he is expected to step into a starting role immediately and become a cornerstone of head coach Jonathan Gannon’s ascending defense.
“We’re thrilled to bring Jordan into the fold,” Gannon said. “He brings toughness, explosiveness, and the type of positional versatility we covet. He’s the kind of guy you build a defense around.”
If last year’s draft was a sign of things to come, the Cardinals are playing chess while many others are playing checkers. Arizona entered the 2024 NFL Draft with 11 picks, including three in the top 35, and left with one of the most lauded rookie classes in recent memory.
Adding four more selections over the next two drafts—three of them in the top 100—only amplifies that momentum.
Here’s what the Cardinals now hold:
- Two second-round picks in 2025
- Two third-round picks in 2026
- Two fifth-round picks across 2025–2026
- A conditional fourth-rounder in 2026
This kind of capital gives Arizona unparalleled flexibility—whether it’s to move up for a blue-chip talent, target value in the mid-rounds, or package picks for proven veterans. The conditional nature of the 2026 fourth-round pick, which becomes a third if Burch hits performance milestones, also offers incentive for player development.
Ossenfort’s calculated hoarding of picks mirrors the successful rebuilds seen in Detroit and Houston in recent years. The difference? Arizona already has its quarterback.
The Cardinals’ commitment to Kyler Murray remains firm—for now.
The former No. 1 overall pick returned from a torn ACL in 2023 and posted a solid finish to the season. Despite working behind a shaky offensive line and limited weapons, Murray showed flashes of his former Pro Bowl self. With a full offseason of health and continuity with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, expectations are rising.
This trade doesn’t just speak to the team’s long-term goals—it also sends a signal to Murray: the time is now.
With new weapons like wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a retooled offensive line anchored by Paris Johnson Jr., and Burch helping to solidify the pass rush, Arizona is positioning itself for a dramatic leap in 2025. But for that leap to occur, Murray must take the next step as a leader and franchise quarterback.
“You can feel the energy shift,” Murray said following the Burch trade. “Guys are locked in. The front office is making moves. It’s on us now.”
Jonathan Gannon’s background as a defensive coordinator is finally manifesting in roster decisions. After enduring a rough defensive campaign in 2023—finishing bottom five in both points and yards allowed—Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis are beginning to mold the unit in their image.
Burch will likely be paired with BJ Ojulari on the edge, forming a young, athletic pass-rushing duo. Inside, second-year tackle Dante Stills continues to impress, and the team is reportedly high on the development of linebacker Owen Pappoe.
Trading Zaven Collins, who never fully adjusted to Gannon’s hybrid scheme, opens more snaps for speedier, coverage-savvy backers. The Cardinals may target another linebacker in the 2025 Draft, but for now, the focus is clearly on building a front seven capable of dictating the line of scrimmage.
And with Burch in tow, Arizona now has a player with All-Pro potential under team control for the next four years.
With the 49ers reloading, the Rams rejuvenated behind Matthew Stafford, and the Seahawks embarking on a new era under Mike Macdonald, the NFC West is as competitive as ever. But the Cardinals, often seen as the odd team out, may be the most intriguing wild card in the division.
This trade sets them apart as a team with both future capital and current talent. It’s a formula few rivals can match.
NFL insiders are already buzzing. ESPN’s Field Yates called the trade “one of the smartest, high-upside offseason moves so far,” while NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said it “positions Arizona to control the next two draft cycles.”
If even half of these picks pan out, Arizona could be a playoff team by 2026—and a legitimate contender shortly thereafter.
Cardinals fans are used to heartbreak. From the Super Bowl near-miss in 2009 to the recent dysfunction under former coach Kliff Kingsbury, expectations have often outpaced results. But under Ossenfort and Gannon, the franchise appears to be turning a corner.
Social media reaction to the trade was largely positive.
“This is the smartest we’ve looked in years,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “We’re actually planning for the future, not just making desperate moves.”
Another user added, “Love the Burch pick-up. Dude’s gonna EAT in Gannon’s defense.”
There’s still a long way to go, but Arizona’s vision is finally coalescing—and fans are beginning to buy in.
The Cardinals still have work to do this offseason. While they’ve added promising pieces on both sides of the ball, depth remains a concern, particularly in the secondary and at running back.
Look for Ossenfort to explore the veteran free agent market in the coming weeks, especially after June 1 when additional cap space becomes available. Veterans like Justin Simmons (safety) and Kareem Hunt (RB) could be short-term fits if the team wants to hedge against injuries and mentor its young core.
Meanwhile, don’t rule out another trade. The Cardinals have a glut of mid-round picks, and Ossenfort has shown a willingness to be aggressive when the right opportunity arises.
The 2025 NFL Draft, hosted in Green Bay, is already shaping up to be a pivotal event for the franchise. With multiple top-50 picks, Arizona could address multiple needs or go all-in on another top-tier prospect if Murray or the team underwhelms.
The Arizona Cardinals aren’t just stockpiling assets for the sake of it—they’re constructing a new identity. This trade, centered around Jordan Burch and four draft picks, underscores a clear strategy: bet on youth, accumulate value, and build from the trenches outward.
In a league dominated by quarterback play and pass rush, the Cardinals now have a chance to compete on both fronts. And with a franchise QB already in place and a defense beginning to resemble Gannon’s vision, the future is starting to look bright in the desert.
The nest isn’t rebuilt yet—but the blueprint is clearer than it’s been in years.
