The Arizona Cardinals have been one of the teams mentioned in possible trades in the first round and while some think that they will deal back in the draft, it is looking more and more likely that the team will trade up into possibly the top five to ensure they can select the lineman they desire in Lane Johnson.
According to NFL.com, the Cardinals could be one of the teams that decides to move up in the draft and one option could be with the Oakland Raiders for the number three pick, as the team would like to add draft picks since it has only a few in the first five rounds. The Raiders have the number three pick and a top three one would guarantee that the Cardinals get a player they desire. The Chiefs are expected to take Luke Joeckel with the number one overall pick, leaving Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson as the top rated tackles behind him.
If the Chiefs select Joeckel it is likely that Fisher and Johnson will go quick, possibly in the top five and out of reach of the Cardinals, who pick seventh. The team also must look out for someone like the Chargers or Dolphins about trading up, as they could jump ahead of the Cardinals and take Johnson, as San Diego desperately needs a left tackle.
New general manager Steve Keim has said that he would rather not trade away picks to move up, but since the team is in such a bad place after last season and with new quarterback Carson Palmer in the fold, it could be the perfect time to take a chance. The team could also surprise and take a different tact and give up on Johnson to move back in the first round, adding picks since they do not have a seventh round one. There were also reports that the Cardinals could be in the running for Chiefs tackle Branden Albert, but they would likely have to give up their second round pick at least in any deal.
The past two years the Cardinals have selected Michael Floyd and Patrick Peterson with their top two picks and after ranking 28th in rushing defense in yards allowed per game they could go defense again. The team wasn't any better on offense after ranking last in rushing and 28th in passing yards per game, meaning they also could go offense, including with players like Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper, who could give some extra protection for Palmer as he comes over from the Raiders. Dion Jordan could also be a surprise pick if the team moves up and since they have the seventh pick they could also try to get someone like the Vikings or Chargers to deal since they want to move up.
