We’re officially in the month of the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Arizona Cardinals currently own the 16th overall pick with numerous avenues they can take.
After filling some massive needs via free agency, the Cardinals don’t have any glaring holes that are at must-address status moving into the future.
There’s freedom that comes with that (as general manager Monti Ossenfort spoke to recently), which includes trading down in the draft, something the Cardinals have done in both prior drafts in the Ossenfort era.
That again could be the case.
In Pro Football Focus’ latest piece running through trades that could shake up the first round, the Cardinals move back a few spots and do business with the Los Angeles Chargers.
In their mock trade, the Chargers move up to snag Texas WR Matthew Golden (who was recently mocked to Arizona at 16) in exchange for picks 22, 86 and 181.
“The Chargers were noticeably quiet during this offseason’s free-agent cycle, particularly as it pertains to one of the roster’s most glaring needs: wide receiver. The most notable addition to the receiving corps came in the form of Mike Williams’ return to the team that drafted him, but not before the veteran receiver failed to catch on with a pair of squads in 2024, torpedoing his grading profile in the process,” wrote Mason Cameron.
“Although something is better than nothing, the Chargers’ need at receiver remains. Considering the talent drop-off at the position and many teams being in need and drafting ahead of Los Angeles, general manager Joe Hortiz can’t afford to let an opportunity to add to the group slip past him a second time. The Chargers would be wise to move up to beat the run on receivers, selecting a talent like Matthew Golden or perhaps Tetairoa McMillan — PFF’s third-ranked prospect — should either slide past the top 15.
“Arizona would be a prime candidate to trade with in this scenario. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort is known for wheeling and dealing on draft day, and after a solid haul of free-agent talent that addressed many of the team’s glaring needs, Arizona could be well positioned to drop a few picks in the order and gather more draft capital. Moving back to No. 22 would still allow the Cardinals to address their coverage holes, particularly at cornerback, while still being positioned in front of teams that will also target the position, such as the Packers, Vikings, Rams, Ravens and Bills.”
A trade down absolutely makes sense for Arizona, as there’s a number of talented players the Cardinals could still snag.
That’s something Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon hinted at when speaking with reporters at the NFL Combine.
“We could be picking – I’m not going to put my foot in my mouth – you’re picking 16 right now, it doesn’t mean that’s where we’re going to be picking,” said Gannon.
Moving back to 22 would still give Arizona a premium player while also recouping some capital in a draft where they are missing a selection – albeit the lone hole is in the sixth round.
Do not be at all surprised if the Cardinals move down the board on draft day.
Arizona remains one of the fastest-growing states in the country, but new migration data suggests that growth is starting to level out.
According to the latest numbers from U-Haul, Arizona ranked number seven nationwide for growth in 2025. While that is down one spot from the year before, it marks the sixth consecutive year the state has remained in the top ten.
The rankings are based on more than 2.5 million one-way moving transactions for the Arizona-based company.
What stands out in the data is how close those numbers are.
In 2025, 50.3% of U-Haul’s one-way moves came into Arizona, while 49.7% moved out. In practical terms, that means for nearly every family moving into the state, there is another one packing up and leaving.
That does not mean Arizona is losing population. However, it does suggest the margin of growth is getting thinner than it has been in recent years.
Even with that shift, the greater Phoenix metro area continues to be a major driver of growth. Phoenix ranked fifth nationwide among U.S. metro areas, fueled by job creation and new housing across the Valley.
U-Haul leaders point to continued development tied to major employers, including chip manufacturing and data centers, as well as ongoing residential construction, as reasons Phoenix remains a top destination.
Experts who study migration trends say when in-migration and out-migration numbers get this close, it can be a sign that affordability pressures are starting to play a role, especially when it comes to housing.
The latest data does not point to a mass exodus, but it does show Arizona entering a period of transition, balancing opportunity and growth with affordability concerns.
The 2026 Arizona Legacy Races in Buckeye, Ariz., are ringing in a new year for futurity horses December 30 – January 6, at the Buckeye Equestrian & Events Center. Formerly known as the MVP Futurity and Greg Olson Futurity, these two races have been a staple in many professional trainers’ schedules for decades. This year, the two events boast $22,000 in added money.
Linzie Lindsey and Fame Dancin Yola claimed the Round 1 win with a 17.577 for $1,959. Barbara Merrill rode TKW Eye Am Tess to the 2D win.
After finishing out of the 1D money in Round 1, Loralee Ward and Dark Honey ran the fastest time of the futurity with a 17.030 to claim the Round 2 win. The duo also earned the Futurity Reserve Championship for $1,652.
Lindsey and Fame Dancin Yola finished second in Round 2 with a 17.164, adding $1,603 to their futurity earnings and claiming the Futurity Championship for another $2,019.
Jenna Duhon and PMC AintSheBeautiful earned the Round 2 2D win. In the 2D Average, it was Estella Martin and Quanahs Kingdom claiming the win.
Round 1 of a very tough Derby went to Jana Bean and Feature This Goodbye with a 17.268. 2025 futurity standout Blissful Version and Lora Nichols finished second in Round 1 with a 17.282, won Round 2 with a 17.032, and claimed the Average win.
“Buddy” and Nichols were in contention for the highest money-earning futurity horse of the previous season, before the cancellation of the last two major events of the season due to EHV-1. By $7 million sire Winners Version, Buddy banked over $300,000 in his futurity year.
Megan McLeod-Sprague and Seis Corona (“Jagger”) were hot off the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. The duo won the Roohide Hot Rod with a 17.004 for $1,368. They also earned the Friday Open 1D win for $1,083.
With the first 16-second run of the weekend, Sherry Cervi and MP Meter My Fame won the Saturday Open 1D with a 16.969.
Rita Cheeney and HP Dash Ta Fairfax ran the only other sub-17-second run of the weekend, with a 16.996 that took the top spot in Sunday’s Open 1D.
Nichols and Buddy doubled down on their derby earnings, placing deep in the Open 1D both days, as well as the Roohide Hot Rod, and Big Time Boss.
Youth competitor Tabitha Dyal also had an outstanding weekend, earning Open 1D money Friday, Saturday, and Sunday aboard Slym Shady. She swept the Youth 1D on Slym Shady and earned Open 1D, Open 2D, and Youth 1D checks on Promise Me Fame Guys and Smooth Operraider. Dyal wrapped up her weekend with several checks in the Big Time Boss.
Authorities say a prominent California agriculture heir is accused of traveling to Arizona to kill his estranged wife amid a bitter divorce, a case now drawing national attention for its cross-state trail and high-profile ties.
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