ARIZONA CARDINALS - Draft Needs

ARIZONA CARDINALS

TEAM
NEEDS

DE
WR
DT
OLB
PR
KR
QB
C
CB
OT
TE
RB
G
MLB
S
FB
K
LS
P

DRAFT WHISPERS: The club always is interested in trading out of the top 10 because it usually has a difficult time quickly signing top picks and often has numerous holes to fill. The situation is the same this year, with the Cardinals sitting at No. 6. The team needs at least two wide receivers who can contribute immediately, and its search for a free-agent pass rusher has been futile. But if a pass rusher such as DE Terrell Suggs, or a receiver such as Andre Johnson of Miami (Fla.) were to drop to No. 6, the club would be foolish to trade down.

TARGETING: Despite concentrating on defense in recent drafts, the club still needs more help in that area. It had a league-low 40 sacks over the past two seasons and desperately needs speed off the edge. That's why no one in the organization was disappointed Suggs had a lackluster personal workout last month. That might cause him to be available when the team picks. If Suggs isn't there, the club will be tempted to take another defensive lineman, perhaps Penn State DT Jimmy Kennedy. The pass rusher doesn't have to be an end; a linebacker who can rush from the edge also would be a fit. One of the team's first two picks is sure to be a receiver. The club has lost WRs David Boston and MarTay Jenkins and is in danger of losing Frank Sanders. The Cardinals must come out of the draft with two impact receivers. If the team wasn't so needy on the defensive line and at receiver, it would be tempted to take a quarterback early. Starter Jeff Blake is 32, and it's unknown if Josh McCown, a third round pick last year, will pan out. The club must add an offensive tackle, a trouble spot last year. LT L.J. Shelton has a year left on his deal, and RT Anthony Clement missed most of 2002 with a torn triceps. If a capable center is available in the middle rounds, he'll be hard to pass up. Cornerback always is a need, and it would be a plus if the club could add one who can return punts.--Kent Somers