The Arizona Cardinals must use their latest regime as an opportunity to rebuild. So no, they shouldn’t hesitate to trade away a few familiar faces.
The Arizona Cardinals are going to make a lot of offseason moves as they attempt to transform the team into a winning unit. One look at the number of pending free agents alone should tell you there will be plenty of, and much-needed, roster turnover.
But don’t think for a single second that they should limit themselves to letting their 30-plus free agents walk and sign some newbies to the squad. Instead, if the Cards want to completely revamp the roster for 2023, they need to make some sweeping changes, like trades, for instance. Even those you may not agree with.
If the Redbirds move a couple of players who were staples in this organization over the past couple of seasons for draft picks, then they have better odds of rebuilding this roster faster. Sure, that will mean painful goodbyes, but at the same time, doing so will also build the foundation for long-term success in the future.
So who should the Cardinals trade away? Keep reading for more.
3 players the Arizona Cardinals should trade this offseason
1 - DeAndre Hopkins
We’ve spent plenty of time talking about trading DeAndre Hopkins. Given the receiver’s production, even in a year where he only saw time in nine games, he’s still one of the league’s best.
And the Arizona Cardinals could still eek out a first-rounder for Hopkins, or at the absolute least, a second-rounder and a mid-rounder. If the Cardinals want to maximize their draft stock and get younger, trading Hopkins should be Priority #1 this offseason.
Trading Hopkins isn’t the most popular issue among fans, but let’s still get something out of the soon-to-be 11-year veteran while we can. If Arizona is truly in rebuilding mode, then general manager Monti Ossenfort should make this move and collect a few more draft picks.
2 - D.J. Humphries
This might sound contradictory, since I’ve been a huge advocate of keeping the former Pro Bowler around. But I won’t lose any sleep if the Arizona Cardinals send him elsewhere.
For one, the Cards could always put Josh Jones at tackle, where he showed he could anchor the offensive line in Humphries’ absence. Trading Humphries would let Arizona save an additional $5.1 million in cap space, plus another $13 million in cash. However, it would cost the Cardinals $12.8 million in dead cap money.
So why trade Humphries? The 2021 Pro Bowler could draw attention from teams in need of a solid left tackle. And if they can deal him before the draft, chances are, Arizona could snag at least one Day 2 and a Day 3 pick for their longtime tackle.
Humphries wouldn’t warrant the same compensation as Hopkins. But for a team that needs to collect a few draft picks and get younger for Year 1 of this rebuild, moving Humphries is logical.
3 - Rondale Moore
While Rondale Moore wouldn’t warrant anywhere near the same compensation as DeAndre Hopkins or D.J. Humphries, the Arizona Cardinals have seen their 2021 second-round pick spend about as much time in the trainer’s room as they had on the field.
Plus, Greg Dortch’s emergence last season should tell the new front office that he’s the better, and much more reliable player than Moore. Case in point, flip Moore somewhere else for a Day 3 pick, and let him get a fresh start elsewhere, re-sign Dortch, and you fixed the issue.
Overall, a rebuilding team like the Cardinals have a golden opportunity to get rid of some older talent via trades. They should shop Hopkins more than anyone else, as he will warrant more trade compensation than either Humphries or Moore.
And if they are comfortable dealing Humphries and swinging Josh Jones to left tackle permanently, then by all means, send him elsewhere and rebuild the line.
Source: Cap-saving moves the Cardinals can make this offseason by Jess Root, CardsWire.USAToday.com
(Cap information provided by SpoTrac)