2011 NFL Draft: 5 Players the Cardinals Will Be Looking at on Day 2

What an exciting day one huh?

Some big stories—the quarterbacks, the trades, the Ravens...not picking...then picking...

Crazy right?

Lost in all of that was maybe the best pick the Cardinals have had in some time.

This time the Cardinals look like they made the right choice—they went with talent and not necessarily need.

If they had gone need, they may have done what the rest of the division did, which in my opinion was reach for players that weren't the best that were there, some even at their own position.

That's just an opinion, however.

The good news as well for the Cardinals is a lot of players fell into round two that maybe should not have.

Anyway, the Cardinals got who many consider the most talented player in the draft class in Patrick Peterson.

So what do they do on day two?

Well, there two biggest needs left, that they will probably address, are outside linebacker and guard.

1. Brooks Reed, Arizona

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Defensive ends Brooks Reed #42 and Ricky Elmore #44 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after stopping the USC Trojans on the final play on December 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won

I don't know the mind of the Arizona coaching staff, but the fact that Reed is still there has to be a good sign for them.

There were a lot of offensive line choices, so Arizona may wait on that, but their glaring need is for a pass rusher.

And Reed definitely fits the bill.

He's been compared to Clay Matthews, although I don't necessarily see that.

Reed is quick with his feet and I think it'd be awesome to see a hometown kid play for the Cardinals.

He, however, could go to the Bills, who couldn't get Von Miller in round one, or even possibly to the Bengals, should they not take a QB.

The Patriots too could take him to fit in their 3-4 defense.

2. Akeem Ayers, UCLA

Harry How/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins attempts to break free from James Dockery #4 of the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl on November 6, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Another linebacker from the Pac-10, er 12, that the Cardinals could be targeting.

I confess I don't know much about Ayers, but many expected him to go in round one.

He's apparently, according to nfl.com, not great in run support, so that may keep the Cardinals away.

But stranger things have happened, and no pick will look terrible right now after what the Vikings did.

(Sorry Vikings fans.)

3. Orlando Franklin, Miami

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes lays on the ground as teammate Orlando Franklin #74 looks on after being sacked by the Pittsburgh Panthers on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by J

Again, don't know much about Franklin, but he's the best rated offensive lineman available, so the Cardinals are probably going to at least be interested in him...

4. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Quan Sturdivant #52 of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the LSU Tigers during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Georgia Dome on September 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Robert Quinn got all the headlines from UNC's defense, but Sturdivant in my opinion may be just as good.

He projects as a linebacker, but I think he could play inside linebacker, maybe replacing Paris Lenon.

5. Marcus Cannon, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

The first thing I noticed about Cannon is that he's a big boy (over 350 lbs right now).

But he graded out decently, and although there was a run of offensive lineman in the first round, he could easily fall to the third or fourth round.

I'm not sure how the Cardinals feel about him, but they like Duece Lutui, even though he's rather large, and Cannon ought to be okay since he played in a spread offense.

And hey, if there's anyone who can get him into shape, it's our strength and conditioning coach John Lott.