Trades and Early Roster Favorites

Last week, I posted a conservative guess as to which players are the frontrunners for the Cardinals’ 53 man roster. Today, as we approach the first pre-season game, I would like to go in a different direction. Here are three trade proposals and a preview of my favorite 53 players heading into the games.

Trade #1: WR J.J. Nelson to the Bengals for TE Tyler Kroft (6-6, 260, Rutgers).

The Bengals need another deep threat WR and they remember how Nelson torched them a couple of years ago. The Cardinals need depth at TE and Kroft gives them a solid blocker and productive red zone target (7 TDs in 2017). Both players are in year 4 and will be UFAs next season.

Trade #2: QB Mike Glennon to the Bucs for the Bucs’ 2019 6th round pick.

The Bucs’ QB situation is murky in light of the Jameis Winston suspension. Ryan Fitzpatrick is scheduled to start, but they could use competition and added stability there. The Cardinals signed Glennon back in March with the thought that he would be the #2 QB. That is no longer the case, thanks to Josh Rosen. Glennon warrants a better situation and he is still well liked in Tampa Bay. He comes on a very affordable two year deal.

Trade #3: K Phil Dawson to the Texans for a conditional 2020 draft pick (6th rounder if Dawson is on the roster for all 16 games, otherwise a 7th rounder).

With Deshaun Watson returning at QB, Bill O’Brien believes he has a playoff team. His current kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn was a little shaky last year missing 3 extra points and 5 FGs. Yes, Phil Dawson had a shaky start as well last year, but a Texas homecoming for him would be a boon at this point in his career, and O’Brien could feel more confident in close games due to Dawson’s track record.

Roster Favorites:

QB (3): 9-Sam Bradford; 3-Josh Rosen; 6-Charles Kanoff

RB (3): 31-David Johnson; 29-Chase Edmonds; 22-T.J. Logan

FB (2): 48-Derrick Coleman; 35-Elijhaa Penny

WR (5): 11-Larry Fitzgerald; 13-Christian Kirk; 18-Brice Butler; 10-Chad Williams; 16-Trent Sherfield;

TE (3): 86-Ricky Seals-Jones; 85-Gabe Holmes; TE-Tyler Kroft

OL (9): 74-D.J. Humphries; 76-Mike Iupati; 64-Mason Cole; 67-Justin Pugh; 71-Andre Smith; 73-John Wetzel; 79-Korey Cunningham; 62 Daniel Munyer; 69-Will Holden

DT (4): 98-Corey Peters; 90-Robert Nkemdiche; 95-Rodney Gunter; 72-Olsen Pierre

DE (5): 55-Chandler Jones; 91-Benson Mayowa; 93-Arthur Moats; 61-Cap Capi; 96-Jacquis Smith

LB (5): 20-Deone Bucannon; 57-Josh Bynes;; 43-Haason Reddick; 52-Jeremy Cash; 92-Dennis Gardeck;

CB (5): 21-Patrick Peterson; 28-Jamar Taylor; 26-Brandon Williams; 33-Chris Campbell; 39-Deatrich Nichols

S (6): 36-Budda Baker; 41-Antoine Bethea; 38-Tre’ Boston; 30-Rudy Ford; 23-Bene’ Benwikere; 47-Ezekiel Turner

ST (3): 46-Aaron Brewer; 1-Matthew McCrane; 2-Andy Lee

Practice Squad:

RB 45-Sherman Badie

WR 83-Corey Willis

WR 17-Jalen Tolliver

G 60-Will House

TE 89-Andrew Vollert

DT 65 Pasoni Tasini

DE 94-Alec James

LB 49-Matthew Oplinger

CB 34-Tavierre Thomas

S 42-A.J. Howard

PUP:

84-Jermaine Gresham

44-Markus Golden

IR (?)

53-A.Q. Shipley

*Would you make these trades?

*What other trades would you make?

*Who are your 53 favorites?

*Who is your #1 sleeper heading into the pre-season games?