Will the Arizona Cardinals be willing to trade up in the 2018 NFL Draft? Here is what they may have to pay

With the draft two months away, we as Cardinals fans brace for mock draft after mock draft, and recently, many have projected the Cards to trade up for certain QB’s. Here’s the criteria for the mocks: typically, the compensation for both parties isn’t fully disclosed. There is just an assumption the Cardinals are giving up a lot to get into the top-10 of the draft, or vice versa, everyone assumes that a player must be given to acquire such a piece.

I have no idea how all the mocks are doing these trades, but major capital must be given. There are a lot of other scenarios of trade up, but not all of them provide a certain formula.

Recently (2017), the Bears traded up one (1!) spot, and gave up a first, a third, and a fourth, along with a third in this year’s draft. That’s one spot.

In 2016, the year prior, the Eagles and Rams both traded up to the first two picks. The Eagles paid a hefty fine for Carson Wentz: a first, third, and fourth in 2016, a first in 2017, and a second in this year’s draft. Another example of putting your team back.

But John, what about just trading into the top-10?

Well, there is an example from 2011 where the Jaguars moved up from 16 to 10, swapping first round picks and Jacksonville giving the Redskins a second round pick.

I don’t want to compare trades that didn’t equal a quarterback, so when I looked through the scenarios, I pondered the compensation.

Trading anywhere between 8-12, you’ll probably only have to give up the 15th and 47th pick in this year’s draft. Trading between 4-7, you will have to give up the same compensation, plus next year’s first round selection, and some unspecified player (I don’t know, Mike Iupati?). If the Cardinals trade to the top three, that’s going to need the same compensation plus a second-round pick in 2020, and an unspecified player (up the ante, Deone Bucannon and/or Tyrann Mathieu?).

Steep is the payment to draft someone that high. The right quarterback has to be available in this criterion, also. My chart for worth of each QB may be different than others, but mine is mine for a reason.

Josh Rosen: top-3 pick
Josh Allen: from pick 6-10
Sam Darnold: from pick 7-10
Baker Mayfield: from pick 9-12
Lamar Jackson: from pick 10-14

I’d only trade up if these guys made it to my specific grade. I’m not going to give up a lot to draft Josh Allen before six, and that’s the discipline you must have as an evaluator. Stick to your big board, and hope that if a trade is necessary, you’ll have the ability to (don’t want to get into a bidding war with other teams).

Anyways, I hope this article helps explain where to draft a quarterback. Any case, let’s go Cardinals.