NFL Draft Countdown: Arizona Cardinals

Welcome to the NFL Draft Countdown, where each day until the draft on April 25-26, I will look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are. Today, the focus is on the Arizona Cardinals.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Draft Position: 31
• 2008 Season Result: 9-7 (NFC West Champion, NFC Champion)
• 2008 Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt
• 2009 Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (17-15; 3-1)

2009 Player Transactions

Players Lost:

• J.J. Arrington (DEN)
• Jerame Tuman
• Terrelle Smith
• Pat Ross
• Eric Green (MIA)
• Scott Peters
• Antonio Smith (HOU)
• Monty Beisel (KC)
• Nathan Hodel (NE)

Players Re-signed/Acquired:

• Ralph Brown
• Bertrand Berry
• Elton Brown
• Clark Haggans
• Jason Wright
• Mike Leach
• Bryant McFadden
• Kurt Warner
• Brian St. Pierre
• Ben Graham
• Keith Lewis
• Jason Bank
• Alex Shor
• Karlos Dansby (Franchise)
• Wilrey Fontenot
• Dennis Keyes
• Onrea Jones
• Lance Long
• Keilen Dykes

2009 Draft Picks

• 1-31
• 2-31
• 3-31
• 4-31
• 5-31
• 6-31
• 7-31
• 7-45

Analysis & Outlook

The biggest losses for the current NFC champs weren’t on the field but rather on the sidelines. OC Todd Haley accepted the HC position in Kansas City and DC Clancy Pendergast (who was fired) followed him to be the DC there. Bill Davis will succeed Pendergast as the Cardinals’ DC and he has his work cut out to coach a defense that needs to put up a more consistent performance. The Cardinals ranked in the bottom half for defense in 2008, including 28th in points allowed, which was mostly caused by big-point defeats against NYJ (35-56), NYG (29-37), PHI (20-48), MIN (14-35) and NE (7-47). Considering the Cardinals’ potent offense, decreasing the number of points allowed looks to be a good way to win more often.

On the offensive side, Todd Haley’s responsibilities will be split between Mike Miller (passing game) and Russ Grimm (running game). It would almost seem the easiest job in the world to be the Cardinals’ passing game coordinator with Kurt Warner spreading the ball to his talented WR corps. Nevertheless, the Cardinals must establish more balance. They ranked dead last in rushing yards in 2008, averaging under 74 yards per game.

Here’s where the Cardinals’ draft position is favorable. There are several good, strong RBs in this year’s draft that can be drafted at good value. RBs that could be available when the Cardinals are on the clock are Chris Wells, Donald Brown and LeSean McCoy. McCoy is particularly interesting because it was Larry Fitzgerald who talked him into entering the draft. If none of these guys are available, then the second round will offer the Cardinals a second chance with RBs Mike Goodson, Rashad Jennings and Cedric Peerman possibly being available.

As an alternative, the Cardinals could go with a receiver in the second round just in case the Anquan Boldin saga plays out in such a way that he leaves the team. Both Mike Thomas and James Casey are interesting options in the bottom of the second round.

If the Cardinals do not invest a first round pick in improving the offense, I expect them to invest in strengthening their front seven. DC Bill Davis is installing a number 3-4 packages so that will require adjustments from a personnel point of view. Moreover, Chykie Okeafor and Bertrand Berry are in their thirties so getting young players would be sensible. Players that could be available when the Cardinals pick are DEs Robert Ayers and Michael Johnson and LBs Clay Matthews and Larry English. As a guy who’s played DE, OLB and TE, Connor Barwin could be a compelling option as well. I also suspect that they’ll target another one or two LBs in later rounds.

As for the secondary, I expect the Cardinals to pick up two or three guys to bolster depth. However, I think they made the most important move already by signing Bryant McFadden as free agent CB, which will hopefully solidify their redzone defense.

It’s going to be an interesting year for the Cardinals. Will Kurt Warner be able to deliver a similar amount of productivity and success? Will Anquan Boldin stay? How will the other NFC West teams (who are licking their wounds over poor seasons) react? The Cardinals still look very good and with an improved and more consistent defense will be a much feared team in 2009. That wraps up my look at the Arizona Cardinals, feel free to leave a comment!