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Report: Arizona Cardinals trade Jonathan Cooper for Chandler Jones

Arizona surprises with the trade.

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly made a huge trade. According to ESPN reports, they are sending guard Jonathan Cooper and a second round draft pick to the New England Patriots for defensive end/outside linebacker Chandler Jones.

Cooper has been a disappointment for Arizona since he was drafted seventh overall in 2013. He missed his rookie season with a broken leg, then injuries hampered his 2014 season. In 2015, he was the starter for nine games before being benched for Ted Larsen.

There was talk Cooper would be moved to center.

Instead, he is moved toe New England, who needs offensive line help and Arizona gets the pass rushing Jones. Jones was a Pro Bowler this past season and had 12.5 sacks in 15 starts. he was drafted by the Patriots in the first round in 2012. He has 36 career sacks in 55 career starts.

Jones is on his fifth-year rookie option this season. He will earn almost $7.8 million in 2016 and then will be an unrestricted free agent. Cooper was entering his fourth season and the team had until May to decide whether to exercise his fifth-year option.

Now the Cardinals have shored up their outside linebacker position. Jones and 2015 second round pick Markus Golden will presumably start, with Kareem Martin and Shaq Riddick as depth right now. The Cardinals could always drafted another and they could re-sign Dwight Freeney.

With Cooper gone, the team will likely address right guard either in free agency or in the draft.

What do you think of the trade?