Raiders trade C Rodney Hudson to Cardinals for 2021 third-round pick

Rodney Hudson trade

Just one day after it seemed the Las Vegas Raiders would be releasing center Rodney Hudson, the Arizona Cardinals swooped in and sent Jon Gruden’s bunch a third-round pick in April’s 2021 NFL draft for the star center’s services.

The Cardinals receive a seventh-rounder in the deal as well.

Hudson signed a three-year, $33.4 million extension in August 2019, a deal that made him the league’s highest-paid center. At 31 years old, he remains one of the league’s best players at his position. According to Pro Football Focus, Hudson’s allowed just three sacks in more than 3,400 passing snaps during his tenure with Las Vegas.

Hudson would’ve been one of the hottest commodities on the open market had he been set free. The Cardinals paid a significant price for him — the No. 80 pick — but eliminated any risk they’d lose him to a higher bidder.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

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