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Arizona Cardinals: 10 best moves in Steve Keim era

By Scott Allen

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals escapes the tackle of Glover Quin #27 of the Detroit Lions during a second half run at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals escapes the tackle of Glover Quin #27 of the Detroit Lions during a second half run at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 26: Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates a sack on Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 26: Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates a sack on Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

4. Trading for Chandler Jones

Back on March 15, 2016 when news broke the Cardinals had traded guard Jonathan Cooper and a second round pick in 2016 to the New England Patriots for linebacker Chandler Jones, things changed immediately.   Now the Cardinals had a pass rush.

In what was considered a relatively weak pass rush despite the roster they already had, picking up Jones immediately resolved a huge need.  Cooper was expendable due to his inability to stay healthy and to stay out of Arians’ doghouse.

Jones had 11 sacks in his first season with the Cardinals.  In 2017 however, he improved on that, with 17 sacks.  Those 17 sacks not only lead the NFL but also was a Cardinals franchise record.

This season with a new defensive scheme thanks to new head coach Steve Wilks, Jones will move up to the defensive line as an edge rusher.  Watch out cause Jones may just eclipse those 17 sacks in 2018.

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