Compensation for Cardinals-Texans Deal for Josh Jones Revealed
The Arizona Cardinals aren't afraid to make a few moves, even late in the preseason.
Earlier this morning, the Cardinals dealt safety Isaiah Simmons to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick. It was a move that shocked most people in the football world, yet Arizona wasn't done wheeling-and-dealing.
Hours later, ESPN insider Adam Schefter broke news that the Cardinals were sending OT Josh Jones to the Houston Texans. Though the compensation coming back to the desert was unknown at the time, Schefter is now reporting the finalized details of the move that involves:
Cardinals sending Jones/7th-round pick
Texans sending 5th-round pick
Jones started 11 games for Arizona last year and has proved to be extremely versatile, playing both guard and tackle during his time with the Cardinals. Yet when Arizona took tackle Paris Johnson at No. 6 in this year's draft, the move pushed typical starting right tackle Kelvin Beachum down the depth chart and made Jones the odd man out in AZ.
Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro shared his take on the move:
"Cardinals moving Josh Jones had a lot to do with depth. Elijah Wilkinson and Dennis Daley have both started games at Offensive Tackle so either can be the 4th OT. Also Beachum just outplayed Jones and Beach has two years left on his deal Jones has just one," he said.
Arizona's starting offensive line projects as follows for 2023:
LT - D.J. Humphries
LG - Elijah Wilkinson
C - Hjalte Froholdt
RG - Will Hernandez
RT - Paris Johnson Jr.
The Cardinals will wrap up preseason festivities this Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.
