NFC West report: Pre-draft look at the Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have quietly been having a good offseason. They’ve managed to add key depth to their roster without losing any irreplaceable players. Their roster will be better in 2015, but it remains to be seen how much they will miss defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

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The Cardinals opened the 2014 season 9-1. Then injuries caught up to them and they fell to 11-5 and first-round exit from the playoffs. While a case can be made that their early season record was enhanced by some considerable luck, it is clear that this is a team that was close to contending for a Super Bowl had they not lost so many key players to injury.

The Cardinals actually got better simply by letting the offseason happen. They got back starting quarterback Carson Palmer, backup QB Chase Daniels, and starting running back Andre Ellington who will all back from injuries. Throw in getting starting middle linebacker Daryl Washington back from suspension, and you get a ton of talent and production back that wasn’t on the field for their late-season swoon.

They also made some smart additions in the offseason. Corey Peters gives them some much needed depth on the defensive line. Mike Luati will upgrade what was an awful offensive line. Even Corey Redding should be able to help what was already a solid defense.

The only notable loss is that of nose tackle Dan Williams. That is someone that the Cardinals will need to replace in the draft or their ability to stop the run will definitely suffer. Cornerback Antonio Cromardie is a big name that they lost, but he player poorly last season and won’t be difficult to replace.

Arizona could go a lot of different direction with their first draft pick. A nose tackle like Danny Shelton makes a lot of sense, as does a cornerback like Marcus Peters or Byron Jones.

If Arizona decides to go offense in the first round, running back Todd Gurley certainly has to be considered. The ACL injury is a concern, but he he’d provide the balance that offense desperately needs.

Overall, 2015 looks like it’ll be a good year for the Arizona Cardinals. With a good draft, they are primed to take another step forward and challenge the Seahawks for the NFC West crown.

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