The NFL free-agent quarterback dominos have fallen and over the weekend the New York Jets were the latest team to take the leap of faith, trading away a slew of draft picks in hopes of landing their franchise signal-caller in next month’s NFL draft. Now the question remains, will the Arizona Cardinals be next?
According to recent reports by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter the Cards and Buffalo Bills could be the next two teams trying to move into the top two to land a QB of their choice.
Sitting with the 15th overall pick, the price to move up into said coveted area will be steep, as well as a risk of mortgaging Arizona’s future to land a much-needed piece in a division filled with the likes of MVP candidate Russell Wilson (Seattle), as well as rising stars in Jared Goff (Los Angeles) and Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco).“The only way this makes sense is that Steve Keim has to think that there is a quarterback here,” SI.com Senior NFL Writer Peter King said to Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat via Skype on Monday. “That absolutely, unequivocably is going to be a 15-year Cardinal quarterback.”
King believes the cost of a quarterback “golden ticket” would include this year’s 15th and second-round pick (#47), as well as the Bird Gang’s 2019 and 2020 first-round selections. One potential suitor could be the New York Giants who have the second overall selection as the board currently sits.
“History tells you when you’re moving up for a quarterback and you’re moving up half of the first round,” King explained. “You’re not just doing that for two [first-round picks]. That’s impossible.”
The immediate need to replace the retired Carson Palmer was accomplished with the signing of veteran free-agents Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon but the long-term solution is likely going to be targeted in the draft…at one point or another.
The Radio of Voice of the Cardinals wouldn’t be surprised to see Keim pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal in the coming weeks, possibly even days.
“I’ve said all along, going back to the middle of the season, I’ve felt the Cardinals would identify a quarterback or two and say, ‘we are going to do whatever it takes to get this player,'” Dave Pasch said to Cesmat Monday. “I think there was a good chance the Cardinals would have taken Patrick Mahomes [last year]. The Chiefs jumped in front of them…I think you’re getting to that point now where you need to find that next guy in this draft. I wouldn’t be surprised at all [if they traded up].”
It’s that time of year in the NFL.
Let the speculation begin.
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.