Cardinals fans don't need an offseason to evaluate the team's greatest need. Sixteen games with Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton at quarterback took care of that.
But as general manager Rod Graves, coach Ken Whisenhunt, key Arizona assistants and scouts eyeball 300 of the nation's top college players beginning today at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, there are more concerns to address than the man behind center.
Despite hints that the current labor impasse is showing progress, a lockout still seems likely with the March 3 deadline approaching fast. That means the Cardinals must have a contingency plan in place in the event of a shortened and chaotic free agency and trading period.
Do they draft for immediate need, fearing they won't be able to fill all those holes via free agency or trade? Do they still draft the best player available, even if it's someone like LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, an exceptional talent and an exceptional return man who still doesn't address those glaring voids?
"Our basic philosophy has been to take the best player available. We won't sacrifice that philosophy to take a player who doesn't deserve to be chosen there," Graves said during a live chat on azcardinals.com Thursday. "If there is a work stoppage, it does not affect the prep for the draft. We are still doing the things we normally do each year."
One area that has drawn attention is the Cards' pass rush. Arizona finished tied for 18th in the league with 33 sacks, but that stat was misleading because the team struggled to pressure the passer consistently in a 5-11 season.
The Cards must decide if outside linebacker O'Brien Schofield and defensive end Calais Campbell can take the next step in that department or if the team needs to add a piece -- such as Texas A&M's Von Miller -- to solidify the linebacking corps.
The Cards will certainly evaluate the quarterbacks at this year's combine, but the top-rated passer, Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, threw a wrench in their plans by opting not to throw for scouts. Gabbert will only throw at Missouri's pro day on March 17, where he has a familiar set of receivers and more comfortable surroundings to help him shine.
"If you work out in Indy, you reduce the chances that many teams will want to have you do an individual workout just for them," Graves said. "I think that reduces the pressure on that player."
With two months left before the draft, there is much work to be done and there are many decisions to be made. Here are the Cardinals' top four needs in April's draft, followed by three needs that aren't quite as pressing. With each of the positions below, we've included a link to the scouting report at www.NFL.com.
QUARTERBACK
Why they need one: Only Carolina's quarterback play was as poor as the Cardinals' last season. The Cards will likely release Anderson once a new CBA is ratified. Hall will likely have to battle for a roster spot and Skelton will need more seasoning.
Who's available? The top quarterbacks available in this year's draft are: Gabbert, Auburn's Cam Newton, Washington's Jake Locker, Florida State's Christian Ponder, Nevada's Colin Kaepernick and Arkansas' Ryan Mallett.
What they might do: With no free agents likely to be signed before the draft and no trades likely to be made, the Cards may want to grab one of these players as insurance. If they are able to work a trade for Kevin Kolb or Kyle Orton or sign Marc Bulger as a free agent, whoever they draft would have time to develop.
NFL.com's quarterback scouting report
PASS RUSHER
Why they need one: Ends Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell appear set, so we don't see the Cards addressing this need with an end unless someone pops off the charts or the team elects to let free agents Alan Branch, Gabe Watson and veteran Bryan Robinson walk, creating a need for depth or better competition for the underachieving Campbell.
The more likely scenario is that the Cards draft an outside linebacker prospect, eventually to fill the spot of aging veteran Clark Haggans opposite 2010 draft pick O'Brien Schofield. The Cards' linebacking corps was its worst unit last season. It looked old and slow. With new defensive coordinator Ray Horton installing a Pittsburgh-style attacking defense, versatile, athletic, quick linebackers are vital to its success.
Who's available? The top outside linebackers available in this year's draft are: Texas A&M's Von Miller, UCLA's Akeem Ayers, Georgia's Justin Houston, UNC's Bruce Carter and Nevada's Dontay Moch.
What they might do: Miller's name has been mentioned in connection with the Cards' No. 5 pick. He would be a good system fit and fill one of the team's greatest two needs in a year in which there may not be a franchise quarterback in the draft.
NFL.com's pass rushers scouting report
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Why they need one: 2010 draft pick Daryl Washington looks like a keeper, but erstwhile starter Gerald Hayes is unlikely to return. Free-agent acquisition Paris Lenon played better than expected given his resume, but the Cards could still use an upgrade at this position and boast precious little depth in a 3-4 defense that requires two inside linebackers.
Who's available? The top inside linebackers available in this year's draft are: Illinois' Martez Wilson, UNC's Quan Sturdivant, Miami's Colin McCarthy, Michigan State's Greg Jones and Oregon's Casey Matthews.
What they might do: Use an early- to middle-round pick to shore up this position unless they feel confident they can address it through free agency.
NFL.com's inside linebackers scouting report
OFFENSIVE LINE
Why they need one (or more): Starting guards Deuce Lutui and Alan Faneca and starting center Lyle Sendlein are all free agents. Faneca might retire, while Lutui wants to cash in big. Losing both would open enormous holes. There's also the inescapable truth that left tackle Levi Brown, the fifth pick in the 2007 draft, has underperformed, while right tackle Brandon Keith was inconsistent in his first year as a starter before his season ended with a torn hamstring in Week 9.
Who's available? The top interior linemen available in this year's draft are: Florida's Mike Pouncey, Baylor's Danny Watkins, Florida State's Rodney Hudson, Georgia's Clint Boling and Lehigh's William Rackley.
The top tackles available in this year's draft are: Colorado's Nate Solder, Boston College's Anthony Castonzo, Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, USC's Tyron Smith and Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod.
What they might do: The 2011 is deep in offensive linemen, so expect the Cards to address this position at some point. Whether they choose an interior linemen or a tackle will depend on their confidence in bringing back Lutui and Faneca.
NFL.com's offensive line scouting report
CORNERBACK
Why they need one: 2010 Pro Bowl corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie slipped in 2011 as teams adjusted to his abilities and negated his greatest strengths -- speed and an ability to break on the ball -- by throwing underneath and forcing him into a more physical game. But DRC has obvious talents and is still young. If fellow starter Greg Toler can build off the abilities he showed in his first season as a starter -- a physical presence and a mostly sound tackler -- the Cards may only need depth. Nickelback Michael Adams continues to defy the odds at his listed height of 5-foot-8, but the Cards could use another player capable of stepping into the starting rotation and pushing the current starters to greater heights.
Who's available? The top cornerbacks available in this year's draft are: LSU's Patrick Peterson, Nebraska's Prince Amukamara, Miami's Brandon Harris, Colorado's Jimmy Smith, Texas' Aaron Williams, Virginia's Ras-I Dowling and Virginia Tech's Rashad Carmichael.
What they might do: Unless the Cards are convinced that Campbell and Schofield can take a huge step forward in the pass-rushing department, we don't see them pursuing a top-flight corner like Peterson, who some scouts believe is the most NFL-ready player in the draft. A cornerback looks a lot better when the quarterback has less time to throw. The Cards are more likely to shore up their depth at this position with a later-round pick.
NFL.com's cornerbacks scouting report
WIDE RECEIVER
Why they need one: Nos. 2 and 3 receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are free agents, and both have been prone to injuries. If one or both walk, the Cards could use another player to pair with Larry Fitzgerald and second-year players Andre Roberts and Stephen Williams.
Who's available? The top receivers available in this year's draft are: Georgia's A.J. Green, Alabama's Julio Jones, Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin, Boise State's Titus Young and Maryland's Torrey Smith.
What they might do: Again, it depends on what they do with Breaston and Doucet. There's also the reality that Fitzgerald becomes a free agent after next season. The draft is deep in receivers, so the Cards should have options.
NFL.com's wide receivers scouting report
SAFETY
Why they need one: Mostly for depth. Pro Bowl strong safety Adrian Wilson has some years left in the tank, and free safety Kerry Rhodes was the team's defensive MVP last season. Backups Rashad Johnson, Hamza Abdullah and Matt Ware did not impress.
Who's available? The top safeties available in this year's draft are: UCLA FS Rahim Moore, Oklahoma FS Quinton Carter, Iowa SS Tyler Sash, Clemson FS/SS DeAndre McDaniel, Florida FS/SS Ahmad Black, West Virginia FS/SS Robert Sands and UNC FS Deunta Williams.
What they might do: Use a late-round pick to add depth.
NFL.com's safeties scouting report
