Cardinals set to acquire CB from Browns
The Cardinals addressed an age-old need on Friday by trading a sixth-round pick in 2020 for Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor, NFL sources confirmed.
Taylor, who is under contract for two more seasons, agreed to restructure his deal. Instead of making $4.25 million in salary this year, he will make $3.5 million. The $750,000 difference will be pushed into 2019, when Taylor is due to make $4 million.
The trade will be finalized when Taylor passes a physical, and neither team made an official announcement on Friday.
But, sources said, the deal is done, pending the physical. Taylor, 27, was drafted in the second round out of Boise State by the Dolphins in 2013 and traded to the Browns in 2016. He started 29 games the past two seasons and has three interceptions in his career.
He became expendable when the Browns signed E.J. Gaines in free agency and drafted Denzel Ward in the first round.
In Arizona, Taylor likely would become the immediate starter opposite Patrick Peterson, a job many others have tried to fill since Peterson entered the NFL in 2011. Several failed, including Justin Bethel and Brandon Williams, a third-round draft pick in 2016.
Others had success and moved on via free agency, including Tramon Williams, who played well after becoming the starter midway through last season.
The Cardinals were expected to take a cornerback early in the draft last month, but they took only one defensive player: cornerback Chris Campbell in the sixth round.
They continued to look for help at the position and brought in free agent Bashaud Breeland for a visit earlier this week.
Breeland left without a contract, and the Cardinals’ attention apparently returned to Taylor. NFL Network reported the Cardinals and Browns talked during the draft about a trade involving Taylor but obviously couldn’t reach a deal.
Taylor has ties to Arizona. His wife, Mackenzie Flannigan, went to Chandler High and was a record-setting sprinter at Boise State.
They are expecting their first child.