The Arizona Cardinals can go in a number of directions as the 2011 NFL draft nears including quarterback, defensive tackle and linebacker. Picking fifth in the draft, there will be plenty of available players with top-end talent so the Cardinals will have options.
2011 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals Team Needs Could Include Quarterback, Defensive Tackle
Everyone loves quarterbacks and that's a popular pick in various 2011 NFL mock drafts for the Cardinals. They have John Skelton and Max Hall in the fold and Derek Anderson isn't expected to return (at least not at his current salary).
SB Nation's Revenge of the Birds writes that, even with quarterbacks options at the fifth pick, possibly including QB Cam Newton and QB Blaine Gabbert, the Cardinals may go in another direction.
Regardless, more and more it looks like the Cardinals will not be looking for a quarterback at the top of the draft. Ken Whisenhunt still really likes John Skelton and is excited as to what he thinks he will become. Whisenhunt also feels that neither Newton nor Gabbert are players that would make a QB impact in year one, so unless the front office views either player as being a better QB than what Skelton will be, I just don’t see it happening. Additionally, I would be surprised if either one is available with the fifth pick.
They end up thinking players like DT Marcell Dareus, CB Patrick Peterson or WR A.J. Green will be on the board. Any of those players would be an excellent pick at a position of need so the Cardinals are sitting in a good position right now.
I’m still leaning towards the Cards taking a quarterback -- I’d guess Gabbert -- although Revenge of the Birds disagrees.
We’re only a couple of weeks away from finding out what the Cardinals will do. For more on the draft day plans, check out Revenge of the Birds.
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