Raising Zona
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Creatvity could land Arizona Cardinals a cornerback

By Jim Koch

Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) drops the pass under pressure from Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field. The Texans won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) drops the pass under pressure from Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field. The Texans won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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If the Arizona Cardinals wanna solve their ongoing cornerback dilemma they may be looking to explore trade options to do so

Pulling off a trade is not foreign to Arizona Cardinals’ GM Steve Keim. In fact, he pulled off two in 2016, addressing major needs of the club in both deals. It’s not out of the question that he does more of the same this offseason.

Pass rusher Chandler Jones and Marcus Cooper both arrived via the trade route last year. The acquisition of Jones significantly upgraded the Cards’ ability to sack the quarterback. Cooper was brought to the desert in September to shore up the number-two cornerback spot

2017 is here, and Arizona once again needs a cover corner. A look beyond free agency and April’s draft shows talent at the position on the rosters of other organizations. Players that could fit well in the Cardinals’ secondary.

Keim could rectify a mistake by the previous regime by bringing back the New York Giants’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Word out of the Big Apple is that the former first-round draft pick of Arizona is on the trade block. “DRC” has the size (6’2″, 193) and length the coaching staff loves in it’s corners, and is coming off an outstanding season (six picks, 21 pass breakups).

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The Houston Texans are deep at cornerback, so it’s possible a veteran such as Johnathan Joseph could be available. He can still compete, even at 32 years of age. Joseph recorded 45 tackles and had nine passes defensed in ’16.

The Minnesota Vikings have a trio of young corners on their roster. There’s talk of an extension for Xavier Rhodes, so he’s probably staying put. But for the right offer, maybe Trae Waynes or Mackensie Alexander can be had.

Like Minnesota, the Cincinnati Bengals also have a surplus of young cover guys. But one of them, Dre Kirkpatrick, is set to hit the free agent market. But if Cincy is able to re-sign him, perhaps Keim could pluck either Darqueze Dennard or William Jackson III away from them.

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