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QB of the future? Jones to work out for Cards

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As of now, the Arizona Cardinals' window for winning a Super Bowl may only be open for as long as 36-year-old quarterback Carson Palmer's arm holds up.

That's why many experts suggest the Cardinals should select a potential post-Palmer quarterback in next month's NFL Draft. That man just might be Cardale Jones, who is scheduled to work out for the Cards shortly.

Jones came into the the 2014 season as Ohio State's third-string quarterback, but after the Buckeyes' first- and second-stringers suffered injuries, Jones stepped in late in the season and led OSU to a convincing win over Oregon in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Jones was benched last season in favor of previous starter J.T. Barrett, and he declared for the NFL Draft at the end of the season, forgoing his senior year.

In 2014 and '15 combined, Jones completed 166 of 268 passes (62.9 percent) for 2,320 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder rushed for 489 yards and three TDs during those two seasons.

One potential problem: Jones is projected by at least one expert to be a second-round NFL draft pick -- but the Cards sent their 2016 second-round pick to the New England Patriots in the trade that brought elite pass rusher Chandler Jones to Arizona.

So, if the Cardinals want Jones, they'll either be forced to reach for Jones by taking him with their first-round pick (29th overall), cross their fingers and hope he falls to Round 3, or make another trade in order to replace that traded pick.