As anticipation grows that the Arizona Cardinals selecting Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, the speculation on what Arizona will do with last year’s first-round pick quarterback Josh Rosen boils.
While reports suggest multiple teams are interested in acquiring the former UCLA product, all signs point to the Washington Redskins being the frontrunner in his sweepstakes.
NFL Insider Benjamin Albright went as far as suggesting what it will cost the Redskins to acquire Rosen from the Cardinals.
And he is not alone. Redskins’ insider JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington had a similar take on what the Redskins would have to part with.
Rosen to Washington is no far gone conclusion. The draft is three weeks away and there is plenty of time for negotiations to heat up. The New York Giants, who own the No. 6 overall pick this year are also linked to having interest in Rosen. So are the Los Angeles Chargers.
Washington also could opt for drafting a quarterback. While team president Bruce Allen has thrown smokescreens in his conversations on record, the Redskins have met with or are planning to meet with a great deal of top QB prospects. Their list have included Drew Lock, Will Grier, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins, and Jarrett Stidham among others.
Rosen struggled as a rookie in Arizona last year, but the Cardinals were a bad team with a defensive-minded coach, who was fired after one season. As new head coach Kliff Kingsbury is reportedly linked to Murray, Rosen has essentially become a draft prospect in the eyes of NFL teams.
Washington needs a long-term fix at quarterback with the devastating leg injury to Alex Smith last year. Case Keenum and Colt McCoy are stopgap solutions. If the Redskins are to acquire him for a second-round pick or later, Rosen could be a huge steal.
