2011 Arizona Cardinals Draft Needs
Written by Jack Jones
The Arizona Cardinals were steadily improving in each of head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s first three seasons on the job, but this team took a huge step back last season finishing dead last in the NFL’s weakest division. The Cardinals will try to utilize their eight draft picks in 2011 to shore up needs on both sides of the ball. It starts with the fifth overall selection in the first round, their highest draft pick since 2007.
This team just wasn’t able to overcome the retirement of future Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner, along with the losses of WR Anquan Boldin, ILB Karlos Dansby and FS Antrel Rolle last offseason. They had many guys underachieve, and the interior of their defense clearly missed Dansby. The offense is perhaps their biggest concern with the shaky play at quarterback. Arizona also didn’t get much from their 2010 draft class, aside from 26th overall pick Dan Williams who finally came on after a slow start at nose tackle. See if they can find a gem in the first round with our 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
Top 5 Team Needs:
1.) Quarterback – Certainly the Cardinals were prepared for a decline in their quarterback play after Warner retired. But they certainly didn’t expect it to be as bad as it was in 2010. They gave up former first-round pick Matt Leinart before the season, and signed free agent Derek Anderson to take over the position. Anderson proved he was on the downside of his career, while local product Max Hall failed to win the job when given the chance. John Skelton played well in the team’s final four games, but he is at least another year or two away from being a true No. 1 quarterback in this league. A high draft pick on a signal caller or a high-profile free agent is needed here. Blaine Gabbert from Missouri is a possibility in the first round, otherwise a guy like Ryan Mallet from Arkansas could be there in the second.
2.) Linebacker – Because help is needed both inside and outside, I have chosen the entire position of linebacker as a team need. There is a decent chance that only one starter from the beginning of the season will be back as RILB Paris Lenon has earned his keep. Joey Porter was a huge disappointment, and he may not be back with his expected $5.7 million salary in 2011. A couple pass rushers on the outside are needed here. An alternative to Gerald Hayes is needed inside as he is past his prime. Rookies Daryl Washington and O’Brien Shofield remain a work in progress. There is a good chance they select OLB Von Miller from Texas A&M if he’s available with their No. 5 pick.
3.) Offensive Line – The Cardinals need help along the interior of their offensive line. Veteran OLG Alan Faneca is considering retirement after signing last offseason, and there’s a good chance that ORG Deuce Lutui will test the free-agent market. Even former first-round picks Levi Brown and Brandon Keith had their share of breakdowns at tackle, so don’t be surprised to see Arizona look for a rookie to challenge one or both of these players.
4.) Tight End – Arizona has avoided this position in the higher rounds of the draft for years. They are starting to get killed by it because right now they don’t have a single TE that can stretch the field. Stephen Spach, Ben Patrick and 2010 rookie Jim Dray are all below-average tight ends. Finding a safety valve here for whatever QB is under center would certainly help this offense.
5.) Cornerback – 2009 Pro Bowl selection Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie took a big step back last year. He doesn’t have the best of attitudes and appeared to pack it in late in the season on the left side. At RCB, Greg Toler was overmatched more times than not. Arizona has to believe Rodgers-Cromartie can shake out of his funk, but a replacement for Toler is almost a must.
Individual NFL Team Mock Drafts
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