Bleacher Report 2024 NFL Trade Deadline Grades and Analysis | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

A three-game winning streak completely changed the direction of the Arizona Cardinals' season. They became buyers, not potential sellers, at this year's trade deadline.

First, Arizona's five wins are already more than the consecutive four-win campaigns the franchise put together in 2022 and 2023. More importantly, the Cardinals are currently atop the NFC West standings, a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

But something had to be done about Arizona's lackluster pass rush.

As a unit, the Cardinals have 21 sacks. However, it is a group effort. Nobody in the squad has more than 3.5. For comparison: The second number doesn't even cover the 40 best individual performances in the league.

Browning played a backup role for the Denver Broncos despite recording 9.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He is also an impending free agent after this season. So, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Arizona traded a sixth-round draft pick to Denver for Browning.

The 25-year-old Browning has plenty of natural ability and the potential to win one-on-one duels from distance. According to Pro Football Focus, the fourth-year defenseman has produced 76 pressures with a pass rush win rate of 12.4 percent since the start of the 2022 season.

The Cardinals needed an injection of athleticism and explosiveness in their pass rush. They bought cheaply from Browning but retained significant upside potential for this season and possibly beyond. He is not a high flyer, although the team has improved with his involvement.

As for the Broncos, they got something for nothing as Browning likely would have left after this season, especially with Denver committed to Jonathon Cooper long-term.