Raiders trade Rodney Hudson to Cardinals: Grading deal for both teams

The Las Vegas Raiders found a trade partner for center Rodney Hudson, sending him to the Arizona Cardinals for a pick. Grading the trade for both teams.

Amid giving their offensive line a substantial overhaul this offseason (and basically tearing it down to the studs), it was reported on Tuesday that the Las Vegas Raiders were going to release veteran center Rodney Hudson. However, Wednesday rolled around and they began looking for a trade, ultimately finding one with the Arizona Cardinals.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders are sending Hudson and a seventh-round pick to the Cardinals in exchange for a third-round pick.

Given how substantially the offensive line in Las Vegas is changing, getting a Day 2 pick in the draft will undoubtedly work in their favor. As for Arizona, they have been aggressive in trying to keep improving the roster around Kyler Murray over the past two offseasons and adding a veteran center of Hudson’s caliber continues that trend.

But how did both teams come out in the end with this trade? Let’s take a look at the deal itself before handing out a grade for both the Raiders and Cardinals as Rodney Hudson is on the move.

Raiders trade grade for dealing Rodney Hudson: A-

The fact of the matter is that Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock have to be smiling at the simple notion of being able to deal Hudson in the first place. As stated, the franchise was planning on releasing their center and then pivoted to trying to find a trade. That they found one that could be so fruitful for them is impressive.

Getting a third-round pick for a player they were planning to release and who will be 32 years old when the season starts is a big move for the Raiders. They are completely overhauling the offensive line and that means they need as much draft capital as possible. This can help factor into that equation.

Granted, I wouldn’t be tearing down the line. But since they’ve already started, I’m a fan of this move involving Hudson. Call it grading on a curve.

Cardinals trade grade in acquiring Rodney Hudson: A

Arizona’s offensive line has been a point of contention for a while now as they’ve struggled at various times throughout the year. To be fair, they did look better in 2020 overall but the talent level was easy to upgrade.

Adding Hudson, however, is the right type of move for a team clearly interested in winning now. With the Raiders, the center was the highest-graded player at his position since 2015 according to PFF (via Twitter). Yes, he may be on the back end of his prime but he’s still a highly effective and highly seasoned player that will help a young offense.

Furthermore, the Cardinals are also only giving up a Day 2 pick to make this type of move. Again, this is a team interested in winning right now with Murray in the heart of his rookie contract. Hudson will help them in 2021 much more than any other player they could’ve taken in the third round would, which makes this an obvious win for the Red Birds.