Arizona Cardinals left tackle Josh Jones is in a bit of an interesting predicament. Entering the final year of his contract, the former third-round pick doesn’t have a clear path to playing time but is too good to just be a backup. Tackle is basically the only position where the Cardinals have a lot of talent, and just about every other team in the league is looking for quality blockers. Frankly, a Josh Jones trade makes too much sense to not happen, and while any of the other 31 teams could make a move, these six units make the most sense.
6 Teams That Should Trade For Josh Jones
New England Patriots
Historically speaking, the New England Patriots tend to invest more in the trenches than they do in receiving weapons. While the team has a strong interior trio in Michael Onwenu, David Andrews, and Cole Strange, they have some serious questions at the tackle position. Trent Brown is a fine starter as long as he’s healthy and motivated, but Riley Reiff is not an ideal option at this point in his career. Chances are, the Patriots will need another tackle at some point in the season, and a Josh Jones trade would make plenty of sense for a team that is still looking for their first playoff win in the post-Brady Era.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are all-in with Aaron Rodgers under center. However, as anyone that’s watched even five minutes of the preseason can tell you, Rodgers won’t be able to do much of anything with this blocking. Right tackle Mekhi Becton is slowly working his way back into shape, so hopefully he can improve in the regular season, and left tackle Duane Brown just got activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list. New York is in Super Bowl or bust mode, so they might as well trade for Josh Jones and shore up the biggest weakness on their roster.
Kansas City Chiefs
Four of Kansas City’s five starting offensive linemen are among the very best at their respective positions. The fifth is left tackle Donovan Smith, who is coming off an absolutely atrocious season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former first-round pick is easily the weakest link on the offensive line, and the team has no depth behind him. Josh Jones is probably better than Smith, so that alone justifies a trade, but the added security of a third reliable tackle makes this a no-brainer.
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young has arguably the worst supporting cast in the league, and the Panthers will need the offensive line to overachieve if he is to have any chance of success in 2023. Unfortunately, based on the preseason, that doesn’t seem too likely. Taylor Moton is still his reliable self, but the rest of the Panthers offensive line is a major weakness. A Josh Jones trade won’t singlehandedly turn this into an elite unit, but he can make it serviceable. If 2022 first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu builds on his rookie campaign, then Jones can move inside and secure one of the guard spots. If Ekwonu’s preseason troubles continue into the regular season, then Jones can immediately step in at left tackle.
Chicago Bears
Justin Fields took a lot of sacks last year, and while his penchant for scrambling certainly didn’t help matters, there is no denying that Chicago’s offensive line has some room for improvement. 2023 first-round pick Darnell Wright can secure the right tackle position, but left tackle Braxton Jones isn’t exactly a sure thing. While he showed some promise last year, Josh Jones would provide some much-needed security in the event that Braxton isn’t up for the challenge.
New Orleans Saints
After a disappointing and injury-plagued rookie season, 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning is starting to show some signs of life in the preseason. However, you never want to put too much stock in preseason performances, especially at a position as important as left tackle. Penning still needs to prove that he belongs in the NFL, and if he fails to meet expectations, then the Saints need to trade for Josh Jones. Even if Penning earns the starting left tackle spot, Jones could still slide inside and bolster an objectively terrible interior offensive line.
Main Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA Today Sports
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