With a now-crowded LB room, is an Arizona Cardinals trade underway?
With the thirteenth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select… Haason Reddick, linebacker, Temple. Yes, this news is current, but I’m here to offer a new perspective.
Days before the draft, the NFL reinstated former Pro-Bowl Cardinal Daryl Washington. Washington, an inside linebacker, has not been in contact with the Cardinals to discuss his place with the team, and the team has said they would likely wait until after the Draft to do so.
The newest draftee from Temple typically plays outside as a pass rusher but possess the skills to move to the inside position. The acquistion of Dansby, reinstatement of Washington, presence of Bucannon, and the possibility of adding Reddick to the mix at ILB makes for a very crowded meeting room.
Though unlikely, I have an idea that could result in the quarterback pickup that everyone is waiting for: trade Washington and a pick for Paxton Lynch. This pick could be as high as this year’s second rounder as the NFL Draft Value chart says the 20th pick (where Lynch was selected) is worth 400 more points than the Cardinals’ 45th overall pick of this year.
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This is where Washington comes into play. His production, barring he can perform as he once did, would make up for the remaining 400 value points. Denver gets a talented playmaker and Arizona gets their quarterback; it seems like a win-win.
There is always the chance that Arians and Keim would rather draft a signal caller such as Kizer, Peterman, or someone else. That is, if they even take one at all.
There is also always the chance that Reddick stays at OLB, but with the dominate duo of Jones and Golden, Reddick would likely be a backup for a few years (unless one of the former move to the end).
The Draft is young, and possibilities are endless. Let’s see how this turns out.