NFL Trade Rumors 2016: Cardinals Get Chandler Jones from Pats
Perhaps the biggest trade in the NFL this offseason just happened – with the Arizona Cardinals appearing to have hit the jackpot in the acquisition of Pro Bowl defensive end and outside linebacker Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots in exchange for guard Jonathan Cooper and a second round pick in the draft.
Jones is one of the best players in the league in his position and the 26-year old is expected to have an immediate impact for the Cardinals. According to Associated Press, he is fifth in the league last season in sacks, having produced 121 ½, which also happens to be the best in his career thus far. Cooper on the other hand was the Cardinals' seventh pick overall in the draft three years ago.
By unloading Jones, the Patriots now have a couple of picks at the end of the second round of the upcoming draft. It's a move seen by many as a means to help improve their offensive line. While Jones's departure is a big loss, not a lot of people realize that what the Patriots get in return is actually more than capable of becoming a star himself. Cooper is also young and has a lot of potential in him. There should be good enough reason why the Cardinals picked him seventh overall in 2013.
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Arizona as a team failed miserably in terms of sacks last season. As a matter of fact, they ranked last among all teams that managed to reach the postseason. But with Jones on board, they're getting one of the best pass-rushers in the game. He averaged 12.5 sacks last season, a number that's almost half of what the Cardinals produced. He already owns 36 in a career that's just four years old. The 21st draft pick of the Patriots in the 2012 Draft produced at least 200 tackles and 10 forced fumbles in his young career – a feat that only two active players can boast.
