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Arizona Cardinals 2009 NFL Draft

Arizona Cardinals Draft Needs

From Drew Wynne, for About.com

Mar 26 2009

Offense: QB RB FB WR TE OT OG C
Defense: DT NT DE Hybrid DE/OLB OLB ILB FS SS CB
Special Teams: K P RS LS

Top Overall Draft Prospects

NFL Mock Draft

Cardinals Picks by Round: 1(31), 2(63), 3(95), 4(131), 5(167), 6(204), 7(240), 7(c254)

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Cardinals Draft Needs Cardinals Draft Board
Urgent: Defensive end Antonio Smith was lost in free agency to the Houston Texans. Of the top four Cardinals outside linebackers, three are over 30 years old. Ideally, the Cardinals first two draft choices would be a 3/4 defensive end and a dominant 3/4 rush outside linebacker to pair opposite Travis LaBoy.

Strong: The Cardinals starting nose tackle, Bryan Robinson, is 34. The Cardinals should spend a first day draft choice on the nose tackle of the future.

Medium: A talent upgrade at right offensive guard to replace Taitusi Lutui, a future left offensive tackle to be groomed behind 30 year-old Mike Gandy, two reserve 3/4 outside linebackers, a reserve inside linebacker, and a tight end -- three Cardinals tight ends are potential free agents -- should be drafted or otherwise acquired.

Nice to Have: Another running back and strong special teams players would be nice-to-haves in the 2009 NFL draft.

Wildcard: Are the Cardinals still confident that Matt Leinart is the future at quarterback?

Answers: Kurt Warner has been re-signed as the starting quarterback.

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Cardinals Gains and Losses

Gains: Bryant McFadden CB, Keith Lewis S
Losses: Antonio Smith DE, J.J. Arrington RB

2009 NFL Draft Discussions by Team

Arizona Dallas Miami Pittsburgh
Atlanta Denver Minnesota San Diego
Baltimore Detroit New England San Francisco
Buffalo Green Bay New Orleans Seattle
Carolina Houston NY Giants St. Louis
Chicago Indianapolis NY Jets Tampa Bay
Cincinnati Jacksonville Oakland Tennessee
Cleveland Kansas City Philadelphia Washington

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