Arizona Cardinals: 5 First Round Options in 2015 NFL Draft
Jul 26, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (left) and general manager Steve Keim (right) talk during training camp at University of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals started the 2014 season on fire. In fact, their 9-1 record made them the best team in the NFL through 11 weeks. The Cardinals were a dangerous team with clear Super Bowl aspirations. Unfortunately, injuries (most namely to quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton) held the Cardinals back as they faded down the stretch.
The Cardinals lost some key pieces on the defensive side of the ball this off season. Antonio Cromartie, John Abraham, Larry Foote and Darnell Dockett have all moved on, and the Cardinals were left looking to replace them.
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That being said, with Larry Fitzgerald and Palmer restructuring their contract, the Cardinals were able to free up enough cap space to make some noise in free agency. Corey Peters and Cory Redding were brought in to replace Dockett, and give the Cardinals more depth on the defensive line.
Arizona also signed Lamarr Woodley who gives them a nice pass rush option, and inside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon gives the Cardinals a player with upside at a position of need.
Guard Mike Iupati was the Cardinals’ biggest free agent addition this off season. He is considered to be one of the best run blockers in the entire NFL. Iupati helps solidify the Cardinals offensive line, and he will certainly be a nice addition to the Cardinals’ run game, which ranked 31st in the league last season.
For the most part, the free agency period has been kind to the Cardinals. They have a majority of their key players back from a very talented 2014 squad, and added some players at a few key positions. That being said, they still have some needs to fill in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.
The Cardinals are very interesting team to watch in the draft. General Manager Steve Keim is highly respected in the league, and will certainly look to find an impact player in the first round of the draft.
Keim and the Cardinals currently hold the 24th overall pick in the draft, and will have many different options with the pick. They certainly have a use for a strong pass rusher, and they could perhaps grab a running back to team with incumbent Andre Ellington. Solidifying the offensive line could also be an option, as could grabbing an impact inside linebacker which has been the team’s weakest spot in recent years.
I am going to list five players who are strong options for the Cardinals at the 24th overall pick. Obviously, a lot of this will depend on what happens before the Cardinals pick, but that is tough to predict. I picked players who are usually available at number 24 in industry wide mock drafts.
Agree or disagree with any of my selections? Have somebody who you think the Cardinals should be considering? Feel free to leave your opinions in the comment section below.
Without further ado, here are five first round prospects who the Cardinals should be considering with the 24th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
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