NFL Arizona Cardinals

2015 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals’ Top 5 Needs

2015 NFL Draft: Arizona Cardinals' Top 5 Needs

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Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Arizona Cardinals have been one of the better teams in the NFL all season long, a Week 16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks exposed a few weaknesses that the Cardinals need to address. The 2015 NFL Draft has a ton of talent, and the Cardinals need to take advantage of that. Here are the Cardinals' top five draft needs as things stand right now.

5. Wide Receiver

larry fitzgerald
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5. Wide Receiver

larry fitzgerald
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Larry Fitzgerald isn’t getting any younger, and while he will probably stick around in Arizona for a few more seasons, the team needs to find someone to groom as his eventual replacement. Michael Floyd is too inconsistent, and John Brown is better in the slot. With plenty of big-bodied receivers available, expect the Cardinals to pick one up.

4. Offensive Guard

Jonathan Cooper
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4. Offensive Guard

Jonathan Cooper
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While Jonathan Cooper is probably entrenched as the team’s future at left guard, Arizona should draft another guy to solidify the other side of the line. Paul Fanaika isn’t anything special, so why not pick a high-upside alternative up through the draft?

3. Inside Linebacker

Larry Foote
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

3. Inside Linebacker

Larry Foote
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Larry Foote has been a revelation at the inside linebacker position this season, and the team will get Daryl Washington back in 2015, but the Cardinals still need to address the position through the draft. Foote is aging, and Kevin Minter is below-average. Using a mid-round pick to pick up an inside linebacker would be a smart move for Arizona.

2. Andre Ellington

Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawks
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2. Andre Ellington

Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawks
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In all honesty, Andre Ellington proved this season that he isn’t capable of being a feature back with heavy usage, making the running back spot a definite need for Arizona. Drafting a power back to complement Ellington could work wonders for a ground game that has looked lifeless this season.

1. Quarterback

Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawks
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1. Quarterback

Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawks
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Despite signing Carson Palmer to a huge extension, Arizona needs to pick up a quarterback badly in the 2015 draft. Palmer might not be the same after tearing his ACL, and Logan Thomas will probably never be a starting-caliber quarterback. Bringing in a young quarterback of the future should be the Cardinals' biggest focus in the 2015 draft.

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