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.

The 2024-25 season is over for Arizona, and the 2025-26 campaign won’t begin for many months. But in between is arguably just as important for the Wildcats as what happens when the games start getting played.

It’s roster management time, with the NCAA transfer portal opening in late March greasing the wheels of what will be a busy offseason for the UA. The ability for players to switch schools on an annual basis, without sittting out, combined with those who are out of eligibility and others testing the NBA Draft waters make for a lot of uncertainty.

The portal is open until April 22, while four days later (April 26) is the deadline for players to put their name into the draft, with a withdrawal deadline of June 15. There’s also the spring signing period for prep and junior college recruits, which begins April 16.

That’s a lot to keep track of, but we’ve got you covered. Below is a breakdown of Arizona’s comings and goings, which will be updated with each announced decision or acquisition:

Departures

Out of eligibility

• G Caleb Love
• F Trey Townsend

Entered NCAA transfer portal

Declared for 2025 NBA Draft

Holdovers

(currently on roster)

• F Tobe Awaka
• G Jaden Bradley
• F Carter Bryant
• G Anthony Dell’Orso
• C Motiejus Krivas
• G Conrad Martinez

Additions

2025 signees

2025 commits

Portal pickups

The emergence of Henri Veesaar as a versatile big man and key part of Arizona’s rotation was arguably the biggest surprise of the 2024-25 season, not to mention a source of hope for the future.

Turns out that may be for a different team’s future.

Veesaar has reportedly put his name into the NCAA transfer portal, the third Wildcat to do so since the UA’s season ended in the Sweet 16.

The 7-foot Veesaar had a breakout year for Arizona, his third with the program. The redshirt sophomore averaged 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game, starting five times but mostly coming off the bench.

Veesaar, a native of Estonia who missed the 2023-24 season with an elbow injury, had 16 double-figure scoring games including 13 against Duke in the Sweet 16. His career high was 22 against ASU in the home finale.

A foot injury to fellow big man Motiejus Krivas in December opened the door for Veesaar to take on a bigger role in the frontcourt, either in place of or in taken with Tobe Awaka. His pay drew rave reviews from opposing coaches, some of whom referred to him as an NBA prospect.

Veesaar joins guard KJ Lewis and center Emmanuel Stephen as Arizona players in the portal. Along with guard Caleb Love and forward Trey Townsend, who are out of eligibility, the Wildcats are down to six scholarship players remaining from a team that went 24-13, tied for third place in the Big 12 and then reached the conference tournament final before making the Sweet 16 for the third time in four seasons under Tommy Lloyd.