Josh Jacobs Again Labeled Trade Candidate for Cardinals
There's still plenty of time for the Arizona Cardinals to make roster moves ahead of the 2023 season, though one name somehow keeps being connected to the team: Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs failed to reach an agreement with the Raiders at the franchise tag deadline and has been a hot name on the trade block after leading the league in rushing last season.
In Bleacher Report's article debuting one trade each NFL trade should make, Jacobs was once again connected to the Cardinals:
Mock Trade:
Cardinals Receive: RB Josh Jacobs
Raiders Receive: 2024 third-round pick, 2025 sixth-round pick
"At this point, the Arizona Cardinals need all the help they can get on offense. With Kyler Murray's murky timeline to return from a torn ACL he suffered at the end of last season, they could be looking at an offense with Colt McCoy at the helm," wrote Alex Ballentine.
"On a certain level, the Cardinals have admitted they are in a rebuild. They are starting over with head coach Jonathan Gannon and the trade they made in this year's draft gives them two chances to get the No. 1 pick.
"That doesn't mean they shouldn't look to take advantage of a situation like the one the Raiders are in with Josh Jacobs.
"Last year's leading rusher has not shown up at training camp. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Jacobs "doesn't plan on returning to the team anytime soon" after the team failed to sign him to a long-term deal, leaving him to play on the franchise tag.
"The Cardinals are in a position where they need to find playmakers to build their offense around and they can't be too picky about what position they play.
"Jacobs would be a big upgrade over James Conner who would better thrive in a complimentary role. The current Raider proved last season that he can be an elite rusher and pass-catching back."
In terms of adding another running back to the room, it certainly makes sense - the Cardinals don't have a strong option behind James Conner.
However, throwing big money at a running back hasn't exactly proven to be a winning formula for teams as of late. With Arizona in the beginning stages of a rebuild, it simply doesn't make sense for the Cardinals to pursue him.