5 bold predictions for the Arizona Cardinals offseason

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: Jalen Carter #88 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with a newspaper reading “Perfect!” after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. Georgia defeated TCU 65-7. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2 – Cardinals trade DeAndre Hopkins for TWO first round picks

Yep, you read that right. Someone, likely a team figuring to be a perennial contender for 2023, will overpay for the soon-to-be 31-year-old Hopkins. I’m not saying that it’s smart to overpay for an older receiver, but there will be a few teams bidding for Hopkins’ services, and it will result in someone paying dividends.

So when I go bold, I’m expecting a first round pick in 2023 AND 2024 for Hopkins’ services. Maybe the Cardinals will win out on this trade, maybe Hopkins proves he’s the missing link for his new team, or both? Nonetheless, the Redbirds will relish in some newfound draft capital.

3 – Cardinals land TWO quality starters on defense for 2023 in the NFL Draft

Jalen Carter and Will Anderson Jr. are probably the top two prospects on your draft board. And unless the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans both go defense, one of the aforementioned names will fall to the Arizona Cardinals, considering they don’t trade down.

So you’ll have either a dominant man in the middle or on the edge. But you will also see the Cardinals use that pick acquired in the hypothetical Hopkins trade to land yet another quality starter who will contribute immediately in 2023.

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