Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals: to Trade or not to Trade for a QB

By Isaiah Addair

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Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is determined not to leave the organization without a QB following Palmer’s retirement

Everyone seems to want to talk about the Arizona Cardinals drafting a quarterback in this year’s draft. With Palmer mulling retirement earlier in the off-season, it is evident that he will likely call it quits within the next year or two, and the Cardinals need to find the heir to the throne that Palmer has sat on since the beginning of the Arians era.

With Palmer committing to playing at least one more season, the need for a replacement is not urgent. Even though the need is not pressing, it would be a good idea since few quarterbacks enter the National Football League ready to start. If the team waits to fill this need next off-season, it is likely that the young gunslinger will be thrust into the starting lineup.

"“So I don’t know if it is mandatory this year (to get a quarterback), but it would be beneficial to all of us to get it out of the way,” Arians said."

This is what Arians meant by “it would be beneficial to all of us” to draft a quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft. If the front office waits to draft an heir, it is likely the organization will suffer.

If, on the other hand, a quarterback is drafted immediately, then there is time to learn the playbook and learn behind former first-rounder Carson Palmer. The last time the Cardinals drafted a quarterback was in 2014 when they selected former Virginia Tech star Logan Thomas. He was released after one season and is currently trying to play TE for the Buffalo Bills.

Now looking to do the same in 2017 by drafting a QB, Arians is hoping to avoid the same result. Coach Arians said it is important not to take a quarterback higher than he is rated on your draft board because if you reach, you will have unrealistic expectations for the player.

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On the other hand, the seasoned coach and his General Manager Steve Keim may be willing to surrender picks from next year to move up in this year’s draft. The Cardinals are expected to get four compensatory draft picks in 2018, giving Keim more than enough ammunition to pull of a trade.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a player that is climbing draft boards rapidly, and the Cardinals have held a private workout with him. Expecting to be drafted around pick 10 as of late, Mahomes could be a target for the Cardinals, who hold the 13th overall pick. If Keim, Arians, and company do choose to move up for a quarterback, the Texas Tech passer would require them to surrender little, with a shot at a big reward.

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