NFL Draft 2012: 4 Big Questions for the Arizona Cardinals Front Office

After finishing with a 7-2 record in their last nine games, fans had high hopes for the Arizona Cardinals going into the offseason. With a handful of big-name free agents on the market, it seemed like the Cardinals would be able to fill a couple of the holes that they had.

After a below-average free agency, which featured the signings of Adam Snyder and William Gay, there are several questions that the Arizona Cardinals organization faces going into draft day.

Highlighted over the next few slides are four questions that many Cardinals fans have for Michael Bidwill, Rod Graves and the rest of the Arizona front office.

Need or Best Available

Arizona is still criticized to this day for drafting need over best available. In 2007, the Arizona Cardinals took Levi Brown with the fifth overall pick when Adrian Peterson (yes, the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson) was still on the board.

Since then, it seems as if they have changed their draft style. Arizona had needs on the offensive line, but chose to go with Patrick Peterson in the first round last year. Despite having both Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells, the Cards chose to go with running back Ryan Williams in Round 2.

If this trend continues in 2012, we will likely see Michael Floyd or Melvin Ingram in a Cardinals uniform next year. If they feel that the need for an offensive tackle is too glaring, then they may reach on a Jonathan Martin or a Mike Adams.

Trade Down

Trading for quarterback Kevin Kolb last offseason has left Arizona without a second-round pick in 2012. There are several teams that could be looking to trade come draft day and you wonder if this is something that the Cardinals could take advantage of.

Trading down a few spots to regain a second-round pick is not exactly the worst idea in the world. Hopefully, Graves keeps all of his options open and Arizona can acquire an extra draft pick.

Kevin Kolb

Since the day the trade was made, many have speculated as to whether Kevin Kolb is the answer at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. After an injury-riddled season, we still do not know the answer to that question.

From a statistical standpoint, neither Kolb nor John Skelton is the guy you want leading your franchise going into 2012, however, they both have a ton of room to grow and the Cards likely will not give up on either of them for now.

Arizona targeted Peyton Manning during the free-agency period and could surprise us by grabbing another quarterback on Day 2 or 3.

Health Concerns

Cornerback Greg Toler and running back Ryan Williams both went down before the beginning of the season due to injury. Their contributions to the team will be huge in 2012, but if they are recovering slow or do not look like themselves, then the Cards may have another hole to fill.

Re-aggravating an injury is something that nobody wants to see happen. The Cardinals should be prepared if something does happen or someone goes down and they could look to the draft to add depth, specifically at those two positions.