A trade proposal for the Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals could use help at the offensive tackle position and acquiring Anthony Davis for Michael Floyd would address that problem

Think about this Arizona Cardinals fans, how great would it be to have the San Francisco 49ers’ Anthony Davis starting at right tackle for our squad? How many times have you been frustrated by wide receiver Michael Floyd, either by him dropping passes or being sidelined by minor injuries?

There are without a doubt reasons why you’ve already dismissed this trade idea as nothing more than fantasy football. Maybe it’s because in the NFL, unlike other major sports, player for player trades rarely happen. To take it even further, maybe it’s because these trades tend to almost never happen between division rivals.

Nevertheless, a case can be made for this trade being highly beneficial for both teams.

Heading into a season as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, the Cards are taking quite a risk having the severely untested D.J.Humphries starting at right tackle. Not to mention the depth behind him is almost as inexperienced as he is. (The exception being Earl Watford who has started all of two games at the position).

Davis, recently reinstated by the league after a brief one-year retirement, is currently trying to reclaim his starting role at 49ers training camp. Recent reports have indicated he could be available via trade for the right offer.

Floyd has battled inconsistency and nagging injuries during his four years in the desert. He’s part of a very deep Arizona receiving group and is headed for unrestricted free agency at the end of this season.

As far as salary cap implications, Davis has a cap hit of 5,150,000 in 2016, while Floyd’s cap number is 7,320,000.

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From the Cardinals’ standpoint, they’d be giving up a player from a position of strength in Floyd for a player in Davis who would solve the biggest question mark on their team, right tackle.

The 49ers would be giving up a player who at the moment is not even guaranteed a starting role for a young pass-catcher who would play a major role in Chip Kelly’s high-octane offense.

Arizona just reinforced their wide receiver corps by extending Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald’s contract through next season. Besides Fitzgerald, the Cards also have youngsters John Brown and J.J. Nelson under contact for next season. They may also be able to re-sign Jaron Brown next offseason at a reasonable number if they so desire.

Besides gaining a top-flight starter, acquiring Davis gives the team much needed depth at the offensive tackle position as well. It drops Humphries into the swing tackle position, a role which he may be better suited for. He was drafted late in the first round so he’s only scheduled to make a base salary of 840,096 this season with a cap hit of 2,025,480. (A salary which is right in line with what swing tackles get paid in the NFL).

As far-fetched as this trade proposal sounds, it doesn’t change the fact that the Cards could use some serious depth at offensive tackle. If not Davis then other options should be explored. Hopefully GM Steve Keim is looking at it the same way.

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