Donnie Druin· Nov 4, 2026
With the Cardinals active before the Nov. 10 deadline, Druin names edge rusher Josh Sweat, safety Budda Baker and running back James Conner as the three players most likely to be traded next, with Sweat the most obvious candidate and likely to fetch something like a third-round pick plus a high Day 3 selection.
“With less than a week left to make moves, here are three Cardinals most likely next on the trade block”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 3 trade and signing calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
3 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Trade and Signing CallsBudda BakerNov 4, 2026
Budda Baker to move — “next on the trade block”
“Safety Budda Baker ... More than anything, this would be a move to place Baker at the forefront of competing on a playoff team”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJames ConnerNov 4, 2026
James Conner to move — “taking him off injured reserve and dealing him to a playoff team”
“the organization just might do right by taking him off injured reserve and dealing him to a playoff team”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJosh SweatNov 4, 2026
Josh Sweat to move — “most likely next on the trade block”
“EDGE Josh Sweat — This is the most obvious candidate... It's likely we see a team package a third and a high Day 3 pick for Sweat, if he is traded.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Dalton FeelyTrade and Signing Calls · Josh SweatHit · 100Feenie predicted Chris Godwin stays in Tampa Bay, Josh Sweat reunites with Jonathan Gannon in Arizona, Ronnie Stanley signs with New England, Jevon Holland lands in Indianapolis, Khalil Mack joins Washington, Asante Samuel Jr. goes to San Francisco, Najee Harris to the Raiders and Bobby Wagner to Dallas.
- Bo WolfTrade and Signing Calls · Josh SweatHit · 100Wolf expects the Eagles to lose several key free agents: he thinks Mekhi Becton is the least likely to stay, that Milton Williams is very unlikely to return, and that Josh Sweat won't be back either because Philadelphia won't be the team offering the most money.
- Rich EisenTrade and Signing Calls · Josh SweatMiss · 0Eisen predicted the NFL would choose the Detroit Lions as the Eagles' opponent for the season-opening game in Philadelphia, and also suggested Josh Sweat would sign with New England. He also floated the Rams as the team best positioned to knock off the Eagles in the NFC, and expected the Rams to run it back with Matthew Stafford.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · Josh SweatPendingMoraitis believes Arizona will ultimately trade Josh Sweat given the Cardinals' rebuild, though he doubts Dallas wins the bidding.
- Adam SchefterTrade and Signing Calls · Budda BakerPendingSchefter does not expect Budda Baker to be traded before the deadline, saying Arizona has no desire to move on from him.
- Mike KadlickTrade and Signing Calls · Josh SweatPendingKadlick names the Bills, Cowboys and Chiefs as the best potential trade landing spots for Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat ahead of the deadline, arguing each team's weak pass rush makes him a fit.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Parker HurleyTrade and Signing Calls · Jessie BatesMiss · 0Hurley argues a Jessie Bates trade to San Francisco is unrealistic because Atlanta remains in the weak NFC South race and likely won't sell, and he expects 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown to depart in free agency after this season.
- Doug JoubertTrade and Signing Calls · Kendre MillerHit · 100Joubert doubts Taysom Hill will return to the Saints for financial reasons and believes Hill has retired from the NFL. He also expects CJ Donaldson to get more carries while the Saints move on from Kendre Miller.
- Randy GurziTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappMiss · 0Gurzi argues that, given Brandon Beane's fondness for reunions, recently released safety Taylor Rapp is a realistic option to return to Buffalo for safety depth — though only if the Bills fail to land a starting-caliber safety at the trade deadline.
- Sean PaytonTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappHit · 100Payton said there is a better than good chance safety Taylor Rapp re-signs with the Broncos, and expects it to happen sooner rather than later.
- Joe MarinoTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappHit · 100Marino argues the Bills should and almost certainly will release safety Taylor Rapp to save cap space, saying he'd be stunned if Buffalo kept him.
- Albert BreerTrade and Signing Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 100Breer argues the Jaguars should be taken very seriously, seeing a path to 13 wins and the AFC's No. 1 seed with a first-round bye, and he expects the Jacoby Brissett trade to Baltimore to be completed within a day.