Draft Analysis: Arizona Cardinals Team Needs

April 22, 2008 @ 11:54:41

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

2007 Finish: 8-8 (NFC West - 2nd Place), Non-playoff team

2008 Draft Pick: 16th Overall

Key Positional Needs: RB, WR, OT, OG, DE, DT, CB, P

Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt

Offensive Coordinator: Todd Haley

Defensive Coordinator: Clancy Pendergast

Key Losses: QB Tim Rattay (UFA), WR Bryant Johnson (signed with San Francisco 49ers), P Mitch Berger (UFA), OG Keydrick Vincent (signed with Carolina Panthers), OT Oliver Ross (released), DL Rodney Bailey (UFA), DE Chris Cooper (released - signed with Seattle Seahawks), LB Darryl Blackstock (signed with Cincinnati Bengals), LB Calvin Pace (signed with New York Jets), FS Terrence Holt (released - signed with Carolina Panthers)

Key Additions: QB Brian St. Pierre (signed - Pittsburgh Steelers), TE Jerame Tuman (signed - Steelers), DE Bryan Robinson (signed - Bengals), DL Travis LaBoy (signed - Tennessee Titans), LB Clark Haggans (signed - Steelers), LB Matt Stewart (signed - Cleveland Browns)

Key Offensive Positions Needed

Quarterback

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Running Back

Starter Edgerrin James will turn 30 in August and has 2,849 carries and 11,607 rushing yards on his odometer. It still seems too early to replace him full-time, but the team could look to draft a back to groom as his replacement. It is possible they draft a running back in the first round, although with a deep class at the position they could wait until the second round to take their back.

Wide Receiver

After Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, the team lacks a solid No. 3 receiver with the departure of Bryant Johnson. They have Steve Breaston as their No. 4 guy, but they could still be in the market for a solid receiver to bridge the gap, and possibly develop into a starter should the Cardinals fail to lock up Boldin long-term. Look for them to address the position in the middle rounds.

Tight End

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Offensive Tackle

They could address this in the draft as they need to develop dependable backups on both sides of the line. Look for them to draft a guy late.

Offensive Guard

Like the tackle position, the team could look at this position later in the draft to address some depth issues, but it is not a great need.

Center

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Key Defensive Positions Needed

Defensive End

New signing Travis LaBoy should provide some solid depth at the position, but the team still needs to address this after they lost some players in free agency with Bertrand Berry turning 33 before the start of the 2008 season.

Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle

The team lost Gabe Watson (knee) to a freak knee injury this April, and they have Alan Branch as his only replacement opposite Darnell Dockett. Look for them to build some depth at this position after Watson also struggled with injuries last year.

Linebacker

The team slapped the franchise tag on Karlos Dansby and signed Clark Haggans from the Steelers, which makes it unlikely they'll invest anything other than a late-round pick here.

Cornerback

Former first-round draft pick Antrel Rolle is being moved to free safety this year, leaving Roderick Hood and Eric Green as the starters at the corners. Look for the team to address this in the draft, possibly using their first pick (16th overall) on a player who can step in as a nickel back this year and start down the line. With Rolle's move to safety, it is possible they could use multiple picks on this position to build depth.

Free Safety

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Strong Safety

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Key Special Teams Positions Needed

Place Kicker

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Punter

With Dirk Johnson the only punter on roster, they could bring in a rookie free agent after the draft to provide some competition in camp.

Return Specialist

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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