Arizona Cardinals: 4 Biggest Needs This Offseason

Even the teams that sit atop the league year in, year out are not “perfect.” So when I tell people that the Arizona Cardinals are only a few moves away from becoming one of those “almost-perfect” teams, most people would automatically assume that I am a homer that does not watch any football outside of the desert.

This offseason is a big one for the Cardinals. The moves they make over the next five or six months will determine whether or not they will be a playoff team not only in 2012, but for many years to come.

Featured in the following slides are four positions that the Arizona front office should address if they want to become a powerhouse team in the NFL.

Left Tackle

A change in the left tackle position is the most obvious and the biggest need that the Arizona Cardinals have going into 2012.

You could make the argument that the offensive tackle duo of Levi Brown and Brandon Keith is the worst tackle duo in professional football and that is certainly not something to be proud of.

The Cardinals have finished 31st in sacks allowed in each of the past two seasons, and if there is not a change at the tackle position, they will likely be in that position again.

Potential Free Agent Target(s): Jared Gaither, Demetrius Bell, Anthony Collins. 

Potential Draft Target(s): Jonathan Martin (Stanford), Mike Adams (Ohio State), Levy Adcock (Oklahoma State).

Wide Receiver

Quick! Name three receivers on the Arizona Cardinals roster. Larry Fitzgerald, um... Gerald Fitzlarry and, um... uh, Fitzy? If you answered something similar to this then I do not blame you.

In back-to-back offseasons, Arizona has traded Anquan Boldin and let Steve Breaston leave in free agency. This has left the Cardinals with the likes of Early “I cannot stay upright” Doucet and Chansi “excuse me while I fumble every time I get a first down” Stuckey.

Needless to say, Arizona is in need of a No. 2 receiver that can pose as a threat across from Larry Fitzgerald.   

Potential Free Agent Target(s): Robert Meachem, Pierre Garcon, Mario Manningham.

Potential Draft Target(s): Juron Criner (Arizona), B.J. Cunningham (Michigan State).

Outside Linebacker

The improvement shown by Arizona’s defense from the start of year to end has been great. With that being said, players like Clark Haggans and Joey Porter are not getting any younger.

Both rookie Sam Acho and second-year player O’Brien Schofield have performed well, but I do not see either as an every-down player.

The addition of another younger outside linebacker would make for a solid rotation and would take away the fatigue excuse if the offense is unable to stay on the field.

Potential Free Agent Target(s): Kamerion Wimbley (if released), Rob Ninkovich.

Potential Draft Target(s): Melvin Ingram (South Carolina), Courtney Upshaw (Alabama), Chandler Jones (Syracuse).

Middle Linebacker

Given the play of Daryl Washington, who led all inside linebackers with five sacks, people will probably question why middle linebacker is a need for Arizona.

The Cardinals run a 3-4 defense and with Gerald Hayes gone and Paris Lenon starting to age, Arizona should look for a younger presence that does not expect to start right away, but will be able to take over in a couple of years.

In 2011, the Cards drafted Quan Sturdivant in the sixth round and this year they will likely add someone on day three of the draft for the second year in a row.  

Potential Free Agent Target(s): David Hawthorne, Larry Grant.

Potential Draft Target(s): Emmanuel Acho (Texas), Audie Cole (North Carolina State).