GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 10: Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) reacts after a defensive stop during the NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals on December 10, 2017, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The Cardinals defeated the Titans 12-7. (Photo by Carlos Herrera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
If the Cardinals draft Byron Murphy, it will send a clear signal to the rest of the NFL they want to hear trade offers for Patrick Peterson.
The Cardinals used the No. 1 overall selection to grab Kyler Murray and change the direction of their offense. Selecting Byron Murphy with the first pick of the second round might do the same thing for head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s defense.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Murphy is a “strong favorite” to be Arizona’s pick if they don’t make a trade. The decision to spend a high draft choice on a cornerback when you already have Patrick Peterson might strike some fans as an odd choice. The reality is if Murphy is headed to Arizona, there’s a very strong chance Peterson will be playing his football somewhere else next season.
The idea the Cardinals might be interested in dealing their All-Pro defensive back started to gain steam earlier this week. Peterson elected to skip the team’s voluntary workouts and rumors about him being unhappy in Arizona popped up immediately. It shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn a 28-year-old corner nearing the end of his prime might not want to wait around for the rebuild the Cardinals are in.
Even if Peterson goes public with a trade demand, the Cardinals will still look to get a huge haul in exchange for his services. The asking price for Peterson should start with a first rounder plus another solid asset from any team interested in making a deal. Unfortunately for GM Steve Keim and his front office, failing to get a first rounder from another team on Thursday means it’s very likely they’ll be forced to wait until 2020 to cash in.
Any team interested in acquiring Peterson will need to be prepared to re-sign him once his current contract expires in 2020. The talented defensive back will make just over $13 million in 2020 which is a solid bargain for a player of his caliber. Expect Peterson to look for a healthy raise as part of his next contract.
The bottom line is that teams looking to add one more piece to arm their potential Super Bowl run in 2019 should be calling the Cardinals immediately. Peterson may not be in the desert much longer.