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Electric offenses might be all the rage, but an elite defense can still take a team pretty far in the NFL.
The Philadelphia Eagles were a great example this season. Jalen Hurts’ development and the trade that brought in A.J. Brown were important, but they don’t win the NFC and go to the Super Bowl without the defense that finished second in ESPN’s defensive efficiency.
There were a lot of roster moves that led to the construction of that defense, but Howie Roseman’s trade to bring in C.J. Gardner-Johnson was among the most important ones. Gardner-Johnson’s ability to play safety and in the slot was crucial to their success.
Before that, he made the move to bring in Darius Slay in a 2020 transaction that laid the foundation for the secondary.
Looking across the league there are other defenses that could be one key addition away from building their own unit. Here’s a look at five hypothetical trade packages that could create a stingy defense for 2023.
Arizona Cardinals Acquire CB Byron Jones
Dolphins Receive: 2023 third-round pick (No. 67)
Cardinals Receive: CB Byron Jones
The Arizona Cardinals finished 21st in ESPN’s defensive efficiency, but they might not be as far from fielding an elite defense as it would seem.
When you look at the individual talent the Cardinals have on defense there are plenty of names that stand out. A defense that features talents like Zach Allen, Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins and Budda Baker should work.
Despite all that talent, the Cardinals defense never seemed quite as good as it should have been with Kliff Kingsbury at the helm. With former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon taking over, that should change.
There are some personnel changes that need to be made for Gannon to work with, though. For one, they need to improve their cornerback room. The tandem of Darius Slay and James Bradberry were crucial to the Eagles’ success.
Byron Murphy Jr. has shown flashes of being a good corner. He allowed just six yards per target in the nine games he was healthy last season, according to Pro Football Reference. Pairing him with Byron Jones would give them two outside options capable of locking down receivers.
With the third pick in the draft, the Cards are in a perfect position to improve up front with either Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. or Georgia’s Jalen Carter. The two defenders are the No. 1 and 2 prospects on Bleacher Report’s Big Board.
Jones missed all of the 2022 campaign with an Achilles injury, and Miami would save $13.6 million against the cap with a post-June 1 trade designation.
Cincinnati Bengals Acquire DE Cameron Jordan
Saints Receive: 2023 second-round pick (No. 61 overall)
Bengals Receive: DE Cameron Jordan
The Bengals defense kicked into a higher gear when they signed Trey Hendrickson away from the New Orleans Saints in 2021. Going back to that well and reuniting him with former Saints teammate Cameron Jordan could take them to the next level.
The Bengals offense gets a lot of attention with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, but the unit that defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has coached has been key to their recent playoff runs.
The secondary is bound for a shake-up with Jessie Bates III and Eli Apple headed to free agency, but the Bengals drafted with those departures in mind. Rookie safety Daxton Hill and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt were solid by the end of the season.
One of the few areas that could be better is the defensive end spot across from Hendrickson. Sam Hubbard is a good option, and Joseph Ossai took strides as the third-rusher.
Cameron Jordan would give them a proven option with veteran leadership. He has 115.5 career sacks, including the 8.5 he put up this season for the Saints.
The Saints are once again severely over the cap with a lot of work to do to get under the $224.8 million limit. They could save $15 million by trading Jordan away with a post-June 1 designation.
If the Bengals are going to continue to battle teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, they have to maximize their pass rush. Dealing for a player like Jordan would continue to build their arsenal.