7 picks
26, 58, 88bal, 89, 123bal, 195, 233
Inside Linebacker
I say this so often it bugs me so I know it bugs readers. You can never have enough linebackers for a 3-4. Aside from needing help rushing from the outside, the Cardinals are short inside as well. It is more than just losing their franchise player from the past two seasons, Karlos Dansby, who will be enjoying a Mojito in his new city. Gerald Hayes suffered with back issues down the stretch and it is impossible to predict how healthy he is going to be this season. Ali Highsmith could be in line for a larger role as he develops, but there are enough questions here for them to look into selecting another player in the middle rounds.
Nose Tackle
Bryan Robinson turns 36 this June. He is an unrestricted free agent, and at best they can count on him for one more season. Gabe Watson was given a second round tender, but thus far has not been able to beat Robinson out which speaks volumes. Watson's former Michigan teammate, Alan Branch, has also been a disappointment and will hit free agency next year. This is kind of a sneaky need for them because the 3-4 falls apart without a centerpiece.
Rush Linebacker
This is what happens when teams let players slip into their early 30's without an heir apparent. I am constantly clamoring for replacement to be drafted before the bottom falls out of a player's career. Now the Cards have been hit with the retirement of Bertrand Berry and the likely loss of unrestricted free agent Chike Okeafor who is too old for another contract with the team. Clark Haggans is still hanging on, but if he lasts beyond this season it would surprise me. Who is going to fill this need? They answered my question with the signing of Joey Porter (Dolphins) after I wrote that. On the plus side he has shown to be a very effective sack artist over a long career and with 8 more hits triple digits for his career. On the negative side he shows poor judgment behind the wheel of a car, and just turned 33. They still need a long term answer here although it is less urgent now. Also worth noting, I guess, is the signing of Paris Lenon (Rams) who is at the end of his career and expected to be a backup defender and special teams participant.
Quarterback
This is a bigger need than the team probably wants to admit. Matt Leinart was a tremendous college football player, and if he had been in the SEC might have had legions of followers like a certain guy who wore #15 and prays a lot. No one bothered to tell him the NFL is a job and requires a ridiculous work ethic. Some guys, like former journeyman turned MVP Rich Gannon, clearly have it. Others are more interested in cashing checks and enjoying the lifestyle, which has been the knock on Leinart. Maybe we should have been tipped off when he eschewed competing to be the #1 overall pick by the 49ers to stay at USC. Either way, the Cardinals at the moment are putting a two-time defending division championship roster in the hands of a guy who lost his starting job when the Raiders kept picking him off in a preseason game. When the Packers anointed Aaron Rodgers as their future, they drafted a quarterback in the second round. Brian Brohm has since been dumped, which means it was a good thing they also took one later (Matt Flynn) in the same draft. I am assuming they do not like Colt McCoy (Texas) who would be their best option by the time their first pick comes because they signed Derek Anderson, cut by the Browns, to a two-year deal. Perhaps they think he can resemble an NFL quarterback again with vastly superior skill players around him compared to Cleveland. I can still see them taking someone in the first four rounds to make sure there is plenty of pressure on Leinart. For my own personal enjoyment I would love to see them draft Florida's Tim Tebow in the second or third round. Can you imagine those quarterback meetings? Wouldn't it be pure comic genius listening to Tebow trying to fire up Leinart? It is an SNL skit waiting to happen.
Cornerback
At free safety they essentially swapped out Rolle (signed by Giants) for Rhodes (acquired from Jets). Matt Ware provides solid relief, and was retained for one year as an unrestricted free agent. With last year's third round pick Rashad Johnson (Alabama) also on board it appears they have enough talent to get by for now. The bigger problem is at cornerback because free agent pickup Bryant McFadden (Steelers) was not good. There is youth with last year's fourth round pick Greg Toler, DRC entering his third season, and Michael Adams who signed his tender for one season. Seemingly overnight, however, teams need three standout players at the position to cover pass-happy opponents. If they can find an impact "starter" early on it makes sense for them to turn in the card.
Tight End
Pretty much everyone was a free agent when the proceedings began. Ben Patrick is their incumbent starter and was given a second round tender which he signed. Injuries have stunted Spach's development, and he will be back on a one year deal. Dominique Byrd was a third round bust for the Rams in 2006, but reuniting with his USC quarterback Matt Leinart could spark something. Anthony Becht switched teams the past two seasons, and at 32 brings has value as an experienced blocker, which is why they retained him. However, it is important to keep in mind that teams always have an eye on the future even if they have a "bird in the hand" so to speak. Late in the draft, or possibly in the free agent pool I anticipate them looking for a bruiser. Again, they will be balancing the offense with a bigger emphasis on their rushing attack which creates a bit of a need.
Wide Receiver
After finally trading Anquan Boldin they have gone from among the best depth at the receiver position to the middle of the pack. Personally I like the players on hand. Steve Breaston's production went down from 2008 when he was one of three Cards over 1,000 yards. Never mind that because when Boldin has been out with injuries he has shown he can take on a larger role, which is why the team slapped him with a first round tender. Early Doucet is the bigger question mark although his playoff production when Boldin was out indicates he could break out in 2010. He finished with 14 catches for 155 yards and a pair of touchdowns in two games. Still, they will be keeping their eyes peeled for a little bit of insurance and some spots are available with unrestricted free agents Morey is still twisting in the free agency wind while Urban left for the Chiefs to be reunited with coach Haley, his former offensive coordinator.
Interior Offensive Line
They tendered their starters at center (Sendlein) and right guard (Lutui) with second round compensation. Medder is free to depart, as is Claxton who likely will be gone. This area takes on added importance because with Kurt Warner retired this offense can no longer just spray the football around to move the chains at will. They will be moving towards more balance and an improved running game which starts inside. After writing this they agreed to a deal with guard Rex Hadnot (Browns) for three years and considering he started on the right side last year the focus will be on a future center in the draft.
Fullback
This position is almost as anonymous as long snapper these days, but Dan Kreider is just about done knocking heads with guys trying to get after the ball carrier behind him. He is an unrestricted free agent with a shoulder injury, not exactly a great idea for someone whose job is to ram into rushing linebackers. Considering his age, and the team's expected increased emphasis on the run it stands to reason they will be one of the very few clubs selecting a fullback. Obviously the move would come on day three. Broughton did sign his exclusive rights one-year contract.
Special Teams
As coach Whisenhunt put it, the team was not willing to wait so they lost their incumbent free agent kicker so Jay Feely (Jets) was locked up while Neil Rackers (Texans) left. Having just missed a key field goal nearly costing them a playoff game no doubt weighed into the decision making process. Over his career Feely is a couple percentage points more accurate from 40+ yards, but over the past two seasons Rackers has only missed 4 field goals period in the regular season. Punter Ben Graham will be a free agent next year and has been bothered by hamstring issues which could mean someone from the rookie undrafted pool is brought in for insurance. Another option at punt returner will need to be considered as well. Rolle's 6 returns are gone to the Big Apple and Breaston is unlikely to field another 38 while serving as a starting wide receiver.
Offensive Tackle
Levi Brown was taken at #5 overall, instead of Adrian Peterson, in 2007 to be their left tackle. It is now time for him to put up or shut up because it is doubtful unrestricted free agent Mike Gandy will be back. His move to the left side creates a competition on the right side which at the moment boils down to a pair of powerful run blockers. Brandon Keith, in his third year and Herman Johnson, who was drafted to play guard, will be at the top of the list. Jeremy Bridges is a solid reserve and did what he could at left tackle when Gandy went out. His freshly minted contract (3 years) likely signals Gandy is gone, and pushes this need down the list.
