The 2023 season is shaping up to be a rebuilding one for the Arizona Cardinals. Their roster has been ranked near the bottom by many analysts and the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Kyler Murray certainly doesn’t help.
Murray is recovering from an ACL tear suffered last season and is without a concrete timetable to return. This could be Colt McCoy’s team for the entire 2023 campaign, which in the opinion of some, may not be the worst thing.
Landing the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft would certainly be a boost for the rebuild. Also owning the Houston Texans‘ 2024 first-round pick, the Cardinals could be in business near the top of the draft.
While the franchise is taking a long-term approach with the new regime of general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon, this year’s team does need help. If the opportunity to add an upgrade at an affordable price presented itself, they should jump at it.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes that opportunity could persist in the form of Las Vegas Raiders running back, Josh Jacobs. He has suggested Jacobs as one player the Cardinals should consider making a trade for before the 2023 season gets underway.
“The Cardinals are in a position where they need to find playmakers to build their offense around and they can’t be too picky about what position they play.
Jacobs would be a big upgrade over James Conner who would better thrive in a complimentary role. The current Raider proved last season that he can be an elite rusher and pass-catching back.”
Jacobs, who had the franchise tag placed on him this offseason by the Raiders, was unable to work out a long-term deal. That has led to him holding out of training camp and according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, he won’t be showing up any time soon.
What could it cost the Cardinals to bring in the 2022 rushing champ? Ballentine suggested Arizona send two draft picks, a 2024 third-rounder and a 2025 sixth-rounder, to Las Vegas in exchange for Jacobs.
The Alabama product would certainly be an upgrade for the Cardinals, who are in desperate need of weapons offensively. He would create the best running back tandem in the NFL with James Connor, providing the offense with two established veterans to lean on until Murray can get back on the field.
