The Arizona Cardinals have been connected to Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones because of a pair of posts on social media by receiver DeAndre Hopkins. In one, Hopkins said he would redo his contract to make room for Jones if the team were to trade for him. In another, he reminded Jones of an apparent conversation they had about playing on the same team.
While there are no reports of the Cardinals being in any trade talks with the Falcons, the price might be right.
According to NBC Sports’ Peter King, the Falcons will not need a first-round pick for Jones.
I was told a while ago by a source I trust that the Falcons would accept a hard second-round pick in 2022 (no condition on Jones’ playing time) with no responsibility to pay Jones any of the $38 million he has coming. That seems like the most logical outcome, and my guess is a hard second-rounder is already on the table from some team.
The Cardinals have done well in the past in trades involving second-round picks. They acquired pass rusher Chandler Jones in 2016 for a second-round pick. They have never regretted that trade. They also traded for Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round pick in 2020 for a second-round pick, running back David Johnson and 2021 fourth-round pick.
They do not regret this trade, either.
The Cardinals are the only NFC West team to have a first-round pick in 2022. If they could maintain that pick and give up a second for Jones, they could make their offense seem unstoppable.
Will they do it? That seems unlikely, but it doesn’t appear that it will cost too much.
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