5 players that might be available to the Arizona Cardinals in a trade

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Keelan Cole #84 of the Jacksonville Jaguars waits on the field before the start of their game against the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field on September 23, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Keelan Cole #84 of the Jacksonville Jaguars waits on the field before the start of their game against the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field on September 23, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Cornerback Mackensie Alexander #20 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates deflecting a pass during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Cornerback Mackensie Alexander #20 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates deflecting a pass during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Mackensie Alexander, CB, Minnesota Vikings

2018 stats: 43 tackles, 10 pass deflections, 4.0 sacks

Who’s Mackensie Alexander? A 2016 second-round pick that has found success as of late working in the slot in Mike Zimmer’s defense. He’s a versatile player that has been asked to do a lot for the Vikings including blitzing, covering tight ends, covering slot receivers, and moving to the boundary. In 2018, he had his best year as he finished the year as Pro Football Focus‘ 17th best cornerback with a 78.1 grade.

Per PFF, the Clemson product didn’t allow a touchdown reception in coverage in 2018. That type of defense could go well in the Cardinals defense needing a slot cornerback.

Why would the Vikings trade him? The Vikings’ cornerback depth chart is about as cramped as it gets. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mike Hughes are all first-round picks that have found success on the team. Holton Hill, a 2018 UDFA has also been an integral part of the group. If not Alexander, one of the aforementioned could be on the trade block.

How much would it cost? The value of cornerbacks is down as of late, and it’s been known that the Vikings are looking to rid themselves of a cornerback. Alexander, like a lot of the players on this list, is under contract for just one more year. With all that being said, a mid-round pick could get the talented slot cornerback to the desert. His 2019 cap hit is an affordable $1.3 million, per Over The Cap.

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