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Here’s some things I want the reader to understand. I’m not happy about any possible trades for Deone, mainly because he was an effective dollar linebacker in the Arians era, and the Arizona cardinals won’t get the same value where he was drafted.
I mean, Josh Gordon (albeit his troubles) was still a Pro Bowl-type of receiver, yet he’s worth a fifth round selection.
So, without further ado, here’s my trade list. Don’t like it, I’m not the GM, I keep telling people that.
1.
Arizona Cardinals receives:
B.J. Finney - Offensive Guard
2019 5th Round Selection
Pittsburgh Steelers receives:
Deone Bucannon - Inside Linebacker
This is my best example for who would want Bucannon, which in this situation, it’s the Steelers who have Jon Bostic and Vince Williams in the middle, and could use a linebacker with the ability to cover tight ends and running backs.
I’m not even saying that Bucannon would start for Pittsburgh, but he would be a valued rotational guy.
On our vantage, is anyone really satisfied with Mike Iupati? I’m not, as he’s provided Mason Cole with no help on the left side, and that causes Cole to compensate without help.
Pressures and QB hits begin to pile up when the front three is soft. B.J. Finney has been a very consistent force for the Steelers in a backup role, earning starts when David DeCastro missed time. Finney is someone I’d love to test at left guard, and could be bought cheap.
2.
Arizona Cardinals receives:
Chris Hogan - Wide Receiver
Geneo Grissom - Defensive End
New England Patriots receives:
Deone Bucannon - Inside Linebacker
This is the year on the contracts of Chris Hogan and Geneo Grissom, and it’s great to exchange one expiring contract for two others that we can test. Why trade for a failed rotation guy from New England and a receiver who’s almost 30? Because it’s the routes that Hogan runs, and his sure-handiness. Grissom could use a change of scenery, and we get Hogan in a trial run.
So far, Hogan has two touchdowns, both against the Jaguars, and showed his unbelievable hands in what seems to be off-coverage on Ramsey and Bouye. New England can finally let Kyle Van Noy play in a rotation, and the Patriots add to an already loaded roster.
3.
Arizona Cardinals receives:
Olivier Vernon - Defensive End
New York Giants receives:
Deone Bucannon - Inside Linebacker
Mike Iupati - Offensive Guard
2019 6th Round Selection
Difference in this trade is that one team really needs to give up on someone who just got healthy, and I think New York might be willing to escape their current contract situation. So far, New York has Lorenzo Carter as the primary backup to Vernon, and he seems capable. Oh, and don’t forget that James Bettcher is in New York, let’s give Bucannon a familiar face who knows how to use him to his full potential.
For us, it’s transforming the rush-defense, something we have struggled with all year. And no matter how talented Chandler Jones is (NFC player of the week, congrats), he needs a pairing partner. Many would say ‘wait for Golden’. Not me, I think it’s better to have an abundance of ends in a 4-3 system. In two year in New York, Vernon has at least 7 sacks, not a bad pairing. Problems arise when salary is taken in perspective. That’s why the salary dump of Mike Iupati makes sense for us. Plus, Iupati gives them a starting guard. Plus, throw in extra compensation to have a formidable front-four, why not?
4.
Arizona Cardinals receives:
Noah Spence - Defensive End
2019 5th Round Selection
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receives:
Deone Bucannon - Inside Linebacker
This is a tester (or flyer). Tampa could use some depth, while Arizona get’s a change in the end room, but quite honestly, this is more for the draft pick. I think Noah Spence was a heck of an athlete when I was scouting him in 2016, and thought it was unfair for him to be buried. More of a fun trade for me to get a draft pick and a project.
Anyways, twas a blast.