One trade the Cardinals need to pull off before the 2022 NFL Draft
With the Cardinals coming into the off-season with multiple questions surrounding them, how can they get back on top?
They have several free agents coming up, they had a lot of injuries last year, and somehow had a magical meltdown at the end of the season. So what trade can send these red birds flying high again?
The Arizona Cardinals somehow managed to be 11th in points scored and equally 11th in points allowed in the 2021 season. Along with being 11th in both, they had the following stats:
Offense-eighth in passing yards, 12th in passing TD, 15th in sacks allowed, 10th in rush yards, third in rushing TD, and first in rushing fumbles with 16 (the next closest team had 10.)
Defense- 16th in QB completion percentage allowed, seventh in passing yards allowed, 24th in passing TD allowed, 13th in sacks, 13th in rush yards allowed, sixth in yards per carry allowed, 29th for rush TD allowed.
As you can see this was quite a solid team all around. Except for one area the offensive line, they were mid-tier in sacks allowed and had 16 fumbles some of that is on the offensive line letting in pressure. This has been an issue for quite some time, as draft or FA, they seem to miss on both when it comes to fixing the offensive line.
The defense comes with its own question marks as well even if they were statistically good. Chandler Jones is a free agent, and JJ Watt can’t stay healthy. They have an extremely young secondary along with the fact that their first-round pick last year had a woeful season as he tried to figure out where he belonged on the roster. Hopefully, he can turn it around, if not there will be options in the draft for the Cardinals to shore up the front-seven.
Kyler Murray is a walking high light reel, but he can’t do it alone. They will need to continue to work on that offensive line and shore up the defense.
What is the trade they need to make to secure a shot at the NFC title game next year?
The Arizona Cardinals need to move up from 23rd to 11th in this year’s NFL Draft with the Washington Commanders. After the 11th pick sits in order Vikings, Browns, Ravens, Eagles, and Eagles. All of which would most likely jump at a top-end OL if they were still on the board.
Right now there are three OL floating around the top-10. Which could change pending the digestion of the senior bowl. Two of the top-10 look to be gone by pick 11, most likely going to one of the following Jags, Jets, Giants, or Carolina. The three that should be gone by 11 should three teams pick up OL are:
Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa
Evan Neal, OT Alabama
Ikem Ekownu, OT NC State
With the most likely gone that leaves the Arizona Cardinals with a couple of options. They will still have two solid offensive linemen left on the table and neither would be a reach at 11, though they are more likely talents for 14-18. But, they need to keep Kyler healthy and keep that run game going. Both of these tackles are big strong men, and will instantly step in and make an impact on the offensive line.
Or they could go way off script here and know they are losing Chandler Jones, and shift to defense with Devin Llyod, LB Utah.
While LB might not seem like much of a need, after going back-to-back tweeners in the first round the last two drafts. Llyod is a very special linebacker and will soften the blow of losing Chandler Jones, he is also most likely a top-10 talent who will get pushed down due to there being so many options up top.
Next. Taking stock of the Vikings draft picks and status in round one. dark
With three offensive linemen, two pass rushers, two wide receivers, four defensive backs, and someone is coming up for a quarterback. So Llyod could see his name fall in this year’s NFL Draft when he should have been picked much higher.