The Arizona Cardinals now sit at 2-5 as they enter a brutal November schedule. They're essentially already out of the playoffs, stuck in the NFC West that only got stronger ahead of the trade deadline. With that being the case, the Cardinals must consider zigging while the other teams zag. They should sell these established pieces and look ahead to the future.
1. Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew, QB
Part of that means evaluating third-round rookie Carson Beck at starting quarterback. The Cardinals need to know what they have in Beck ahead of next year's draft, but that swap makes Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew redundant as backup veterans. With both on expiring deals, Arizona should explore the trade market and trade whoever has the higher value.
2. Andrew Billings, NT
Yahoo's Matt Johnson named the Cardinals as one of five teams that should be sellers at the trade deadline. Nose tackle Andrew Billings is listed amongst the trade candidates, along with Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Allgeier, Josh Sweat, Roy Lopez, and Denzel Burke.
He doesn't fit Arizona's rebuilding timeline at 31 years old, but could be of value to a contender as a rental. Any team looking for a run-stuffer should be calling Arizona about the 6-foot-1, 340-pound Billings.
3. Zaven Collins, Edge
It's safe to say the Cardinals have a lot to figure out on defense. It remains to be seen whether former first-round pick Zaven Collins is part of that picture.
The Tulsa linebacker is on an expiring $2.96 million contract. Although he starts for Arizona, that makes him expendable if they can flip him to a contender for future assets. Might as well get something of value before he hits free agency, giving younger players more minutes and increased roles in the process.
4. Budda Baker, S
We recently graded a mock trade proposed by Bleacher Report's Alex Kay that saw Arizona ship safety Budda Baker to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick.
In addition to the Bills, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has also connected Baker to the Jacksonville Jaguars as a potential landing spot.
The Cardinals aren't necessarily in a rush to move Baker compared to these other candidates, seeing as his contract is through 2027. That could work to their benefit in the market for Baker, since he wouldn't simply be a rental for a contender.
While it's hard to move on from a franchise icon like Baker, it would unfortunately be in Arizona's long-term best interest.
5. Josh Sweat, Edge
The most likely trade candidate for Arizona appears to be veteran Josh Sweat. ESPN's Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler have Sweat ranked as the No. 3 overall trade candidate, giving him a 40 percent chance of getting traded. Baker also makes the top ten, coming in at No. 9 with a 35 percent chance of being traded.
But Sweat is behind only Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. ESPN mentions the Cowboys, Bears, and 49ers as landing spots, though Chicago is likely off the table after their blockbuster trade with Tennessee for Jeffery Simmons. Fowler believes a deal could materialize closer to the Nov. 10 deadline, so this is a situation to monitor in the coming week.
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