The Cardinals got out of the gate early making a slew of trades to start of the offseason. But after adding guys like Matthew Stafford, Aaron Hernandez, Brod Bunkley, Todd Heremans, DJ Williams, and Everette Brown they didn't just sit around and wait for free agency to start. Knowing Sports24/7's history this should have come as a surprise to no one. After a relatively minor trade of QB Max Hall for WR Brian Robiskie, they pulled off three very big moves. They sent HB Beanie Wells and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Giants for CB Corey Webster and WR Mario Manningham. The new management was said to be disappointed with Wells and had been looking to trade him for a while. Webster has been one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL over his career and has a Super Bowl ring. Manningham is coming off of two consecutive impressive seasons of over 800 yards primarily as the number three WR in New York. He will almost certainly be given a larger role in Arizona. Manningham seems very excited about getting an expanded role, posting this on twitter. The next trade made was to give Webster a runningmate as well as add depth at DE and WR when the Cardinals traded NT Dan Williams for CB Kelvin Hayden, WR Riley Cooper, and DE Ricky Sapp. Williams became expendable with the Cardinals moving primarily to a 4-3 defense as well as adding DT Brod Bunkley earlier on in the offseason. In Hayden the Cardinals add another very good starting cornerback who, like Webster, has a Super Bowl ring. Cooper and Sapp are entering their second year in the league but are both considered guys with upside. In their last trade the Cardinals gave up a 2nd round pick (46) and DE Calais Campbell for DE Trent Cole, FB Owen Schmitt, and DT Mike Patterson. Cole is widely considered one of the elite defensive ends in the NFL and is a two time Pro Bowler. Even though Sports24/7 mentioned Patterson as part of the line rotation, we expect that he will look to shop the DT possibly to add more draft picks. At his introductory press conference Cole seemed excited to play with his new teammates. When asked what was next for the Cardinals Sports24/7 had this to say: We certainly will.
