The Arizona Cardinals are 3-5 and understandably not expected to be buyers appraoching the Nov. 10 trade deadline. In all likelihood they should be turning their attention to the 2027 NFL Draft themselves, trying to flip veterans like Josh Sweat for draft capital.
But that doesn't mean that GM Monti Ossenfort shouldn't at least be exploring what's out there. The Cardinals should be using their coveted first round pick in the draft to take a quarterback, but they still need to be surrounding him with weapons to succeed.
Seeing as Simi Fehoko is currently listed as this teams WR2 alongside Michael Wilson, it's safe to say they could use some help in that department. Here are three trade candidates Ossenfort should explore to address what has become an increasingly weak wide receiver rooom in Arizona:
1. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have already moved key players to initiate a rebuild, shipping DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers and Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks. Their fire sale will likely continue leading up to the deadline, with names like running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs as potential names to monitor.
Downs requested a trade on Oct. 28, and it makes perfect sense for the Colts to trade him, since he's in the final year of his deal. That likely lowers the asking price to a point that's still realistic for Arizona, a team in need of an upgrade but not necessarily looking to be buyers. The Cardinals would then have to secure him to a new deal, as it doesn't make sense to have a rental with them out of the playoff picture, but he could fit their long-term core at just 25.
2. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
The Cardinals traded away Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans but now need that big deep play and red-zone threat. The 6-foot-3 Quentin Johnston has proven capable of that role in years past for the Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Herbert, though like the rest of the team, has been struggling this season.
The Chargers did exercise Johnston's fifth-year option, meaning they have him under contract through the 2027 season. That's important for Arizona because it lets them address their shaky receiver room and carry it over to whoever they hopefully draft next offseason. It could be a buy-low opportunity for the Cardinals, with the Chargers still winless at 0-7.
3. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. has had a strange career trajectory, looking like a franchise piece for the Jaguars after a strong rookie campaign in which he recorded 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. That production has declined, as has his role in Jacksonville on a team with so many weapons at Trevor Lawrence's disposal.
This is the exact type of flyer Arizona should be looking to take at the deadline, adding a high-upside receiver who still has room to grow as a former first-round pick at just 24 years old.
Right now, there seems to be a gap between Thomas' production and role in Jacksonville and their asking price. If the Jaguars expect something similar to what the Cardinals received for Harrison, it may not be worth it, since they can simply select a younger, cheaper receiver in the second round of next year's draft.
Still, it's worth monitoring, as Jacksonville would be wise to see what they can get by trying to sell Thomas on his upside rather than his recent production -- similar to what Arizona did with Harrison.
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