Maserati on the Move?
By Walter Mitchell
One of the most intriguing rumors from this week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis is:
TRADE
: The Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns are working on finalizing a trade that will send WR Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Browns in exchange for a 2026 1st round pick (no.24) along with a 2026 3rd round pick. #NFL #Cardinals #Browns https://x.com/dalvinthetruth/status/2027500192107229347?s=20
Why this proposed trade could make sense for the Cardinals:
1. The intense focus on Marv from Cardinals' pundits and fans has created an unhealthy obsession and has placed enormous pressure for Marv to succeed. For two years I have been imploring pundits and fans to "let Marv breathe." This is what can often happen when pundits and fans have proclaimed a player to be a "once in a lifetime generational talent and surefire first ballot Hall of Famer"... before he's taken a single snap in an NFL game.
2. if that kind of pressure isn't enough on Marv and the Cardinals' QBs and coaches, then it becomes even more compounded by the derision the Cardinals have been receiving from Marvin Harrison Sr. If anyone think MHS is ok with Michael Wilson having emerged as the team's WR1, then they are out of their minds.
3. As I have been predicting for a couple of years, when one looks ahead to the 2027 off-season, Marvin Harrison Jr. and his father are going to want a major financial commitment from the Cardinals to the tune of at least $30M a year. The Harrisons have been money-driven from the get-go. This could easily result in yet another Kyler Murray type of predicament for the player and the team.
4. To be able to garner another 1st round pick in this draft, may enable the Cardinals to draft Ty Simpson at pick #24, five spots ahead of the Rams. Simpson said this about his interview with the Cardinals at the Combine:
@SleeperAZCards
QB Ty Simpson has met with the #AZCardinals at the NFL Combine:
“I would love to be a Cardinal. I think that they’re a great organization. They got a young team and I would be super blessed to play for them.”
And get this ---> Ty Simpson said the NFL QB he watches and admires the most is Matthew Stafford. Hmm...
Bonanza Mock
1. I have a strong hunch that the Cardinals are going to draft Sonny Styles with their 1st pick. The combination of Sonny's superior athleticism and outstanding play at the "Green Dot" MIKE (where he comps to Fred Warner), plus his versatility in pass overage on may be too attractive to pass up.
2. Being able to draft Ty Simpson as the team's QBOF could come as a boon because not only does it profit the Cardinals to have such a talented QB who fits the Rams' style system, they prevent the Rams from tabbing him to be Kliff Kingsbury's newest rookie QB developmental assignment.
3. Having the opportunity to draft Sonny Styles' teammate DT Kayden McDonald, 6'3", 326, 91.2 blue chip run defense grade and his outstanding13.8% run-stop rate makes the Cardinals significantly stronger up the middle.
4. Romello Height is one of the most talented situational edge rushers in the draft, at 6'3", 239, 4.64, 39" V, 10'5" B. 1st Team All Big-12 in 2025, 10 sacks, 42 hurries, 92.6 pass rush grade, 91.2 True Pass Rush Grade, 21.8% pass rush win rate.
5. Elijah Sarratt led Indiana this year with 824 yards and 15 TDs. In one season at James Madison and 2 seasons at Indiana he amassed 2,978 yards at 14.9 yards per catch and 31 TDs. Being able to draft Sarratt here with the 3rd round pick from the Browns would be very exciting.
6. Markel Bell at 6-9", 345 and Isaiah World at 6'8", 319 give the Cardinals two physically imposing offensive line prospects who may also project equally well to the tackle and guard spot. Bell, as The U's LT had a 69.6 run blocking grade and a blue chip 86.9 pass blocking grade. World, as Oregon's LT only gave up 2 sacks the last two seasons. Plus, his blue dot 66.5 and 72.5 run blocking and gap grades manifest how well he gets off the ball at his size.
7. Cole Wisniewski, 6'4", 220, 4.43, transferred to Texas Tech from North Dakota St and had a fantastic year at safety for the Red Raiders' #1 defense. His blue dot grades: 83.9 pass defense, 80.6 pass coverage and 10.6% missed tackle rate.
8. Lorenzo Styles, 6'1", 195, Sonny Styles' brother and fellow Buckeye ran the fastest time for the safeties yesterday at 4.28. He's a developmental-type prospect who graded 63.5 in pass coverage and 71.0 in run defense on 405 snaps this season. Could be a special teams' star right away.
Why a trade to the Browns could be auspicious for Marv:
1. He gets a fresh start with the ideal chance to be the WR1 in Cleveland in Todd Monken's system.
2. It would be a hero's return to Ohio for the Ohio St. All-American.
3. This is a trade that is likely to be embraced by Marvin Harrison Sr.
What are your thoughts/ Would you make this trade?
Bad Deja vu that we’re even having this conversation, but if you look at the Arizona Cardinals history, how can you not? This franchise has butchered “can’t-miss” first-rounders for decades. Matt Leinart was supposed to be pro-ready — bust. Josh Rosen lasted one year. Kyler Murray went No. 1 overall and we’re still stuck in instability. Jonathan Cooper, Robert Nkemdiche, Levi Brown, I Simmons, Ojilari, Darius Robinson, M Melton(?) — premium picks, minimal long-term return. Different eras, same dysfunction.
ReplyDeleteHistory says this organization doesn’t maximize elite talent. Iif someone offers multiple first-rounders, why should we trust them not to waste another generational player?
The NFL just bumped the salary cap by $22 million. Congratulations to 31 owners — and condolences to Mike Bidwill.
ReplyDelete