Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching and teams across the league are already making moves. Rebuilding teams are trading away veterans for future draft capital, while teams in the playoff hunt are looking to get better.
Coming off their third win in a row, the Cardinals are likely looking to be buyers. Steve Keim has repeatedly said he will not trade star corner Patrick Peterson, despite the rumors that Arizona is looking to move him.
So, who should be on the Cardinals’ radar? And who would make sense financially for the team? Here are four players that the Cardinals should look into trading for ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
WR Robby Anderson, New York Jets
The Jets are an absolute mess. They were without QB Sam Darnold for a few weeks as he recovered from mononucleosis. Last Monday, Darnold had a horrific outing against the New England Patriots on primetime TV with four interceptions. It appears they are embracing defeat, as reports have surfaced from New York media that they are shopping top wideout Robby Anderson.
Anderson is an outside receiver with blazing speed. In Darnold’s first game back in action, he caught a 92-yard touchdown pass against a strong Dallas Cowboys defense.
Robby Anderson would give Kliff Kingsbury another weapon to work with alongside Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. An addition of Anderson could potentially fill a need at outside receiver.
In 2018, Anderson caught 50 receptions for 752 yards and six touchdowns. He has dealt with a very unstable Jets team with revolving quarterbacks and coaching schemes. If the Cardinals can acquire him for relatively cheap, they could give the developing Kyler Murray another good weapon to work with.
Robby Anderson would be welcomed to Arizona with open arms.
LT Trent Williams, Washington Redskins
This is a very difficult situation. Williams won’t play another down of football for the Redskins organization after some medical disputes. Despite this, Washington has been very stubborn and elected not to trade him. According to reports, it isn’t due to a lack of effort from other teams, as multiple clubs have reached out regarding Williams.
If the Redskins do make Williams available, it’s an interesting question for the Cardinals. He is a seven-time Pro-Bowl left tackle. Those don’t come around very often. For the Cardinals, offensive line play has been an issue for years. Recently, however, they’ve been very good. LT D.J. Humphries has been solid in his contract year. If the Cardinals are set on keeping Humphries as their franchise left tackle, then Trent Williams doesn’t make sense.
If they would rather move forward with an older tackle who has been playing at an extraordinarily high level for years, then Williams is their guy. Division rival Los Angeles Rams made a similar move in acquiring veteran Andrew Whitworth for Jared Goff’s early years and had success.
The price for Williams is steep, as it would likely be in the range of a first or second-round pick. He’s making roughly $11 million per year and would need an extension. It’s certainly a very interesting question for the Cardinals.
CB Chris Harris, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have already shipped away one of their best players in Emmanuel Sanders to the 49ers. They appear content with trading anyone on the roster not named Von Miller. Cornerback Chris Harris has come up a lot in trade rumors after contract disputes last year and the team’s struggles this year.
Harris is one of the best slot corners in football and would give the Cardinals an incredible unit with Patrick Peterson and Byron Murphy.
He is also due roughly 12 million for this season, but the Cardinals could make the cap situation work by extending Harris beyond this year. This move would indicate the Cardinals feel they are a team that is a few pieces away from being very good, as Harris is 30 years old and wouldn’t make sense for a rebuilding team. He would give the Cardinals arguably the best cornerback room in the NFL.
The move would make sense if the Cardinals are hoping to add a cornerback in free agency next year, as they could make a bold move now to secure one of the league’s best. They certainly have the cap space in 2020 to be able to make a Chris Harris trade work. He should be on their radar for sure.
DE Leonard Williams, New York Jets
Leonard Williams hasn’t lived up to his expectations with the Jets, although he’s proven has can be an impact player in stopping opposing rushing attacks. A switch to the 3-4 scheme could benefit Williams greatly.
Williams would join an already solid interior line with Corey Peters and Rodney Gunter. He could be a huge boost to an already revitalized defense following the return of Patrick Peterson.
Trade talks surrounding Williams date back to last season around the trade deadline, but the Jets inclined to keep him. This season may be different, however, as New York is looking to acquire as much draft capital as possible.
Williams had five sacks in 2018, but is regarded more as a run-stopper. The Cardinals could use another big-name player on the defensive line to complement Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs.
The biggest obstacle here is a $14 million cap hit that comes with acquiring Williams. It’s a number that most teams won’t want to pay, but the Jets could help by paying some of his contract to make a trade more appealing. The Houston Texans did this with Jadeveon Clowney in their trade with the Seahawks.
If they can make the cap situation work, Leonard Williams would be a great addition for the Cardinals.
Who do you want to see the Cardinals add ahead of the NFL trade deadline?
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