Arizona acquired veteran center Rodney Hudson and a…
Arizona acquired veteran center Rodney Hudson and a seventh-round pick from Las Vegas for the 79th selection in the 2021 draft. Hudson gave the Cardinals two seasons of experienced center play but missed time and retired after 2022. The Raiders used No. 79 on Malcolm Koonce, who developed into an eight-sack edge defender in 2023, later returned from injury, and re-signed with Las Vegas. The younger, longer-lasting return gives the Raiders the win.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Rodney Hudson
- pick 2021 7th round pick (247th overall, Michal Menet)
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 2021 3rd round pick (79th overall, Malcolm Koonce)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
In March 2021, Las Vegas traded center Rodney Hudson and a seventh-round selection to Arizona for the Cardinals' third-round pick, No. 79. The Raiders used that choice on Buffalo edge defender Malcolm Koonce. Arizona was trying to stabilize the middle of its offensive line around Kyler Murray and acquired one of the league's most respected veteran centers. Las Vegas chose to reset the position and convert an older, expensive starter into a younger defensive asset.
Why Las Vegas Won
Koonce took time to develop but eventually delivered the kind of value that makes a third-round pick worthwhile. He broke out with eight sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 2023, missed 2024 with a knee injury, then returned and remained part of the Raiders' plans. Las Vegas re-signed him after his rookie contract. That multi-year defensive value, at a premium position, gave the Raiders a younger asset whose useful life extended well beyond the immediate season of the trade.
How Arizona Fared
Hudson was still a high-level center when acquired, and Arizona had a legitimate reason to prioritize immediate protection for Murray. He started 12 games in 2021 and helped give the offense veteran stability. Injuries reduced his availability the following year, however, and he retired after the 2022 season. The Cardinals therefore received useful but short-lived production for a third-round pick. The seventh-rounder added a small offset, but it did not change the long-term balance.
Final Verdict
Las Vegas earns a B+ and Arizona a B-. The Cardinals made a defensible win-now move and received good center play when Hudson was available. The Raiders nevertheless turned an aging veteran into Koonce, who became a productive edge rusher and stayed with the organization beyond his rookie deal. The difference is duration: Arizona bought two seasons, while Las Vegas created a younger premium-position contributor with longer runway.