NFL Trade Speculation: Why the Arizona Cardinals Should Trade Larry Fitzgerald

On April 14 2010, Brandon Marshall signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins for $47.5 million over four years. On that same day, the Dolphins had acquired him from the Denver Broncos for two second round draft choices.

The trade market for wide receivers has not been stellar for the seller recently. Last season Santonio Holmes was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the New York Jets for a fifth-round draft pick. Holmes' teammate, Braylon Edwards, was picked up from the Cleveland Browns in 2009 for a third- and fifth-round draft choice as well as two players that never amounted to anything in Cleveland.

Each receiver had their issues which led to them being made available. Brandon Marshall wasn't quiet about his displeasure in Denver. Santonio Holmes' second suspension in Pittsburgh (first from the league) made him surplus to requirements. Edwards had led the league in drops the season before he left Cleveland.

Each receiver plays to a different level, with Marshall giving teams the most production on a yearly basis. Not one of these receivers however is as talented or as clean off the field as Larry Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald is one of the best receivers in the league today. Save for Andre Johnson, he may be the best. He is also approaching a contract year and at 27 years of age won't be willing to re-sign with the team if they don't sort out the quarterback situation.

The Cardinals are set for a transition period, not only as a team but towards a new offensive identity.  

The drafting of running back Ryan Williams early in the second round of the NFL draft has signaled this. The offense already has Chris Wells and Tim Hightower as serviceable running backs at a time in the league when quality backs are easy to find. This reflects the fact that Russ Grimm, a hall of fame guard and former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach, is the offensive coordinator in Arizona.

What does this mean for Larry Fitzgerald?

Fitzgerald won't be able to impact games with the Cardinals if they don't have a quarterback to throw him the ball. The team is working its way around the quarterback problem opposed to solving it.

At 27 years of age, Fitzgerald still has enough time left to garner full value on the trade market. He is entering his prime but doesn't have long enough left to wait around for a quarterback to develop. With the uncertainty that accompanies any player approaching free agency looming, now is the perfect time to trade Larry Fitzgerald.

The Cardinals finished last season with a 5-11 record which likely would have been worsened if they weren't an NFC West team. The Cardinals offense ranked 27th in the league last year while the defense ranked 30th. Needless to say this team has many holes to fill.

The trade of Larry Fitzgerald would bring back a lot for the franchise. With even more talent than Brandon Marshall and none of the character issues, Fitzgerald would be the hottest receiver on the market.  

There would be a host of teams looking to pick up Fitzgerald as the final piece to their Super Bowl puzzle. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and New England Patriots have shown in the past that they are willing to be aggressive in acquiring players that could help them win Super Bowls, and each team would be happy to have Fitzgerald.

The Cardinals may not have a direct replacement ready made for Fitzgerald but they do have some young talented players at the position.  

Steve Breaston (although he is the same age as Fitzgerald) in particular is an incredibly talented player that would blossom with the right supporting cast. Breaston became a first-time starter last season but his numbers cannot be put into context without a proper quarterback.  

Because of his lack of experience Breaston won't have the same immediacy in leaving as Fitzgerald so both he and Early Doucet (25) could become the starters for Arizona's future quarterback.

The worst case scenario for the Cardinals is not too far away. Without a CBA in tact they cannot be certain if the team will have the option of franchise tagging the player after the coming season. Without it Fitzgerald would become a free agent and be allowed to leave for nothing.

The best case scenario for the Cardinals should they keep Fitzgerald is that they sign Kevin Kolb. He is the only available quarterback with long-term potential who looks like he can carry the team now.  

However, in reality Kolb hasn't proved anything in the league yet. He has little more experience than John Skelton in the NFL as neither player has started more than seven times.

Letting Larry Fitzgerald go would be admitting that this team is not competitive for the foreseeable future.

Even though fans won't like to hear it, the reality is that this is true and trading their prized asset now is the smart thing to do.