Ask Odegard: Will the Cardinals Trade Anyone Before the Draft?

Some great questions in the mailbag this week. Let’s get to it.

“Who, if anyone, on the Cardinals Roster gets traded away before the draft?” – D Robinson

Kyle Odegard: The answer is likely no one, but I think there are two possibilities. The first would be Zaven Collins, who doesn’t seem like a fit for this defense.

He still has potential as a former first-round pick, and while trading him wouldn’t net huge savings, it would be about $2.7 million in cap space in addition to a late-round pick. 

It’s probably better to keep him throughout the offseason and see if he can make strides on the edge, but if the front office is ready to move on, this would be the time to do it.

The other is Budda Baker. I’ve written a few times that I doubt anything will happen because the time to trade him was last offseason, but it would be $15.1 million in savings in addition to a draft pick if they move on.

Baker is a fine player, but I think the new regime really wants to build around the premium positions of cornerback, edge rusher and defensive tackle on defense, so trading away their All-Pro safety wouldn’t shock me.

“Do you expect the Cardinals to use the franchise tag? Hollywood Brown for example” – Fritz Leinemann

KO: Franchise tags are cemented now, and they didn’t, because it would have been too expensive.

This is the latest buzz I’m hearing on Brown: the wideout rookie class is so deep and talented that the free agent wide receivers are all going to be affected.

I think there is a good chance Brown takes a one-year, prove-it deal somewhere, and the Cardinals are definitely in play.

Jonathan Gannon isn’t just being nice when he says he wants Brown back. So if his market is depressed, I could definitely see a reunion as Brown looks to rebuild his value.

“Would Paris still be taken at 3 last year if we didn’t trade back ?” – Victor Donough

KO: I know that’s the narrative out there, but no, he would not have been the pick. Will Anderson was the superior prospect and I’m very confident the Cardinals would have taken the Defensive Rookie of the Year at 3.

If you think about it, the Cardinals traded down to 12 initially without any guarantee they could get back up to 6 to draft Johnson.

Did they covet him? Yes. But as with any draft, there were multiple scenarios in play. If the Texans didn’t come with that godfather offer, Anderson would have been the choice.

“What will the Cardinals do with DJ Humphries?” – Marko

KO: Cut him or bring him back at a hugely-reduced rate.

“What is the absolute worst case scenario for the cardinals with the 4th pick?” – Salvador Jimenez

KO: The worst-case scenario is Marvin Harrison, Jr. going third and then light interest in the third quarterback prospect, which would keep the Cardinals from trading down.

And honestly, you never know if teams really do covet Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, or if one of them could drop to later in the top-10. It’s happened plenty in the draft, so that’s the danger. 

The Cardinals would still get Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze or Joe Alt, but it would be really disappointing to miss out on MHJ and then have to stick at 4 without adding draft capital.

“Where would the cards be right now in an alternative realm if they did get Sean Payton” – Bryan A

KO: I know the pitchforks are out for Payton right now but I think it would have worked out well. He is a very good coach for quarterbacks, and having Kyler Murray instead of Russell Wilson would have been fun to watch.

Payton always wanted to land with better ownership, and he did that by choosing Denver, but there are certainly some short-term repercussions for that because of the gulf in quarterback ability between Murray and Wilson.

“Obviously we’re hoping and expecting AZ to pursue big target FA’s, but who are some low profile targets you think they should/will pursue?” – Jayco

KO: Hard to say specifically, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they added a mid-tier left guard or tackle. Inside linebacker is also a place that could be addressed, especially because it’s a cheap position to fill in free agency.

“What are the odds Nabers or Odunze is the pick with Harrison still on the board?” – Rory DeBlieck

KO: I know Lance Zierlein made that move in his most recent mock draft, but I think it’s between slim and none. And slim just left the building.

“In your opinion, which free agents should the Cardinals target? And why?” – Ed Helinski

“Perfect fits for free agency on the defense side.” – Ian

KO: It’s not a deep class after all the franchise tags, so I’d shoot for someone at the top. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins would fill a huge need, is durable and just turned 28.

Are you willing to spend huge money on that guy? I think I would. 

Kendall Fuller is another guy. Very good cornerback for a Cardinals team that has next-to-nothing on the outside.

“Thanks, I have an odd question. What do you think Michael Bidwill's succession plans potentially maybe? Other than his sister, I don't see a clear successor.” – Roger Blackwell

KO: That’s a great question, and I honestly have no idea.

“What part of the defense do you expect Monti & Bidwell to open the checkbook in Free Agency?” – PickNSpreads

KO: Defensive line, edge rusher or cornerback. 

“What are the chances the cardinals move back with their 4 pick” – AppleJack10

KO: I’d give it about a 20% chance of happening. Marvin Harrison, Jr. is the most likely scenario, for sure, but if he is gone I’d expect them to want out of that pick.

“What's the juiciest insider info you've ever gotten on the team that you weren't allowed to discuss at the time? How about from this offseason?” – Sean

KO: I was privy to a lot of info that couldn’t be discussed when working for the team. I was told about Patrick Peterson’s PED suspension several weeks before it became public. 

Knew about Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer’s retirements beforehand. Michael Bidwill once gave me an on-the-record quote which questioned the leadership ability of Josh Rosen, but that was quashed by the PR department before it saw the light of day.

As for now, if I have inside information that I’m confident in reporting, I will certainly share that with the masses. 

“Twizzlers or red vines?” – Root Beer

KO: Oh, man, love me some Red Vines. No contest.

“What are a couple of the most likely picks for the 27th overall pick we hold?” MiLlamoMiguel

KO: I’d take a close look at the second tier of offensive tackles: guys like Jordan Morgan, Tyler Guyton, Amarius Mims and Troy Fautanu. And then there are defensive players like edge rusher Chop Robinson, cornerback Nate Wiggins and defensive tackle Johnny Newton.

Hard to know but it wouldn’t shock me if the Cardinals take one of those guys.

“Ready to start that podcast with me, sports heat media ?” – Charles Mendoza

KO: No podcast for me right now. Maybe down the road.

“Why are there so many fake Cardinals insiders?” – Jax

KO: Not sure exactly what this pertains to, but the proof is in the pudding, right? Either people are accurate with their ‘insider’ information, or they are not. It’s up to the readers to discern that.

“Do you see the Cardinals building a new training facility in the near future? cardinals always ranks the lowest in that category across the league. If he doesn’t wanna upgrade sell the team” – arizonasportsfan

KO: The business-side employees are now out of the training facility, so my guess is that some renovations are coming over there. I think a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility is definitely the way to go so the Cardinals can finally start to change their image, but no, I don’t think it’s happening anytime soon.

“Do you see us trading up from 27 considering theres no chance we draft 13 players?” Jaxson Carlisle

KO: I’ve seen the 13 number lobbied around a lot, but I’m pretty sure they only have 11 draft picks. 

This is something I’ve been thinking about: the Cardinals and Texans could pull off a first-round trade together for the second time in as many years.

Houston picks 23, which is above the tackle-needy Cowboys and Packers. If Arizona really likes  a guy, Ossenfort could trade up ahead of those clubs.

“Thoughts on elite prospect Peter Goesinya?” – Andrew

KO: This is a family show, Andrew.

“Will the Cards move on from Buddha? Was Paris a bust since he is a right tackle?” – Dogecoin69

KO: As I said earlier, don’t think it’s super likely they move on from Budda. No, Paris is far from a bust. I’m excited to watch him in Year 2, as he has everything you want in a franchise tackle.

“Wilkins or Danielle Hunter for the Cardinals? Are either realistic?” – K Rich

KO: Yeah, I think both are realistic. Hunter will turn 30 during the season, so the age is a little bit of a concern, but he’s coming off a 16.5-sack season.

I’d have no issue with the Cardinals signing him to a three-year deal, especially if there is a discount because of the age.

“If you had to survive on a deserted island with one Cardinals player for 30 days, who would you pick?” – JT

KO: Maybe Zaven? He wears a cowboy hat and he’s from Tulsa. I’m banking on Zaven being industrious and helping us survive.

After the nfl report cards is bidwill actually planning to upgrade this high school facility?” – Ozzie

KO: Bo Brack of PHNX reported that there is a plan to upgrade the locker rooms. I don’t think the building is conducive to becoming a world-class spot, but I guess some changes are better than none.

“With invention of GPS data, teams know just how fast players are playing in game situations. Do scouts still find combine #'s useful? It seems like waste of time now with the GPS data. 100 players this year didnt take part in the 40 & even fewer didnt do the cone/shuttle/bench.” – Joe Shmo

KO: I definitely think the combine drills are waning in significance, but they do still hold some weight. Xavier Worthy running a 4.21 40-yard dash is going to turn some heads. 

Did he have the same game speed? I don’t know, but even if he didn’t, there are probably coaches out there that believe they can fix some technical issues and have it pay off on the field.

“Charmander, Squirtle or Bulbasaur?” – Caleb Anderson

KO: I’m not going to google this but I have a feeling it’s a Pokemon question? Going off the names alone, Squirtle is my dude. Or girl.

Team Squirtle for life.