The Arizona Cardinals had dinner with Ohio State’s Nick Bosa on Friday, but are they serious about taking him or is this to drum up trade interest?
It would appear the Arizona Cardinals are enjoying their time in the spotlight as owners of the top pick in the NFL Draft.
While many have already penciled them in for quarterback Kyler Murray, the team is meeting with other top prospects, including Ohio State’s Nick Bosa on Friday night.
Adam Schefter reported the Cardinals were having dinner in Bosa’s hometown of Fort Lauderdale.
Here’s a little intrigue to mix into next month’s NFL Draft: the Arizona Cardinals’ brass is having dinner tonight in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with Ohio St. DE Nick Bosa, per league source. Bosa could be the potential No. 1 overall pick. A franchise-altering decision awaits Arizona.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 29, 2019
Bosa, who Pro Football Focus recently called the “safest prospect” in the entire draft, is commonly considered the best pass rusher available and a consensus top-five selection. While the Cardinals have often been mocked to draft Murray in the top spot, the Cardinals still have Josh Rosen on the roster and have not reportedly made a move yet to trade him to another team.
This could mean that, if the Cardinals decide to stick with Rosen, selecting Bosa to add a potentially dynamic playmaker on defense could be on the table.
Another twist is the teams picking after the Cardinals, including the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have also been considered the team most likely to pick Bosa if the Cardinals take Murray, but the Cardinals could potentially use this make the 49ers convinced they are serious about taking Bosa. Could there be a trade between the two to swap the top two picks? The 49ers are not in the market for a quarterback, so would presumably not be interested in taking Murray if the Cardinals went with that plan.
The Cardinals’ meeting with Bosa could significantly shake up what happens in the draft if they decide to either trade out of the top spot or take Bosa instead of Murray, potentially giving the 49ers a contingent of trade partners hoping to jump up to get Murray.
The 49ers did, however, make a backup plan move if they’re unable to get Bosa by trading for Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher Dee Ford and signing him to a five-year, $85.5 million contract.