It’s been an improbable journey, but nearly halfway through the season, the Cardinals sit atop the NFC West via tiebreaker.
They have a negative-27 point-differential and aren’t as talented as the San Francisco 49ers, but now that it’s a nine-game sprint to the finish, GM Monti Ossenfort has to give this team a shot at the division crown.
The offense has found its groove, and the place that needs upgraded is clearly edge rusher. The Cardinals had the worst group in the NFL on paper heading into the season and have now lost their two most effective -rushers – B.J. Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck – to season-ending injuries.
So who should be targeted? Here are the three I’d pursue, in descending order:
3. Baron Browning, Broncos
Browning has zero sacks this season and is now a backup, so the cost would not be too high. But the converted off-ball linebacker did have 9.5 combined sacks in 2022 and 2023.
He isn’t a dynamic presence but it would be a clear upgrade for a team left with next-to-nothing on the edge. Browning is too small to consistently play against the run, but Darius Robinson could be back soon, and he can be used on the edge on early downs.
Browning is in the final year of his rookie contract so the cap hit would be negligible, and if he performs well, the Cardinals could look to extend him to take over the Gardeck role.
Projected compensation: 2025 sixth-round pick
2. Josh Uche, Patriots
Uche had 11.5 sacks in 2022 and has two in seven games this season. Uche just turned 26, so this could be a long-term piece if the Cardinals make the trade.
New England is among the worst teams in the NFL and Uche is on an expiring contract, so flipping him for draft capital makes sense. There could be plenty of suitors, because Uche has a cap hit of only $2.94 million this season.
Uche doesn’t have a season with more than three sacks besides that 2022 breakout campaign, so it would be on Arizona to believe in his ability. GM Monti Ossenfort assuredly still has connections in New England, which could help this deal get done.
Projected compensation: 2025 fourth-round pick
1. Azeez Ojulari, Giants
The best move for the Cardinals at the trade deadline would also be the biggest splash. Ojulari already has four sacks in seven games this season heading into Monday Night Football.
The former second-round pick is only 24 years old and would certainly be a guy that would be acquired not only for 2024, but also for the future. Ojulari is the brother of Arizona’s B.J. Ojulari, and they could be a strong duo together for years to come.
As for the present, Ojulari would immediately give Arizona a legitimate edge-rushing threat, which would make quarterbacks uncomfortable and also make the job easier for his less-talented brethren on the line.
Ojulari is in the final year of his rookie deal, so the cap implications are minimal. If Arizona is really serious about pushing for the playoffs this season, a trade for Ojulari is the move to make.
Projected compensation: 2025 third-round pick
