With The First Pick
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NFL Power Rankings: Post-NFL Draft Edition

By Jon Dove

Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks during the Super Bowl LI winning team press conference flanked by the Lombardi Trophy at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks during the Super Bowl LI winning team press conference flanked by the Lombardi Trophy at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Haason Reddick (Temple) is selected as the number 13 overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Haason Reddick (Temple) is selected as the number 13 overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Arizona Cardinals

Key Additions: Haason Reddick and Budda Baker

Key Losses: Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson, Kevin Minter, D.J. Swearinger

The headline for the Arizona Cardinals offseason was the losses of Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson. Those are two major contributors on the defensive side of the ball that will be missed. Campbell will be especially hard to replace.

Some of that burden will fall on the disappointing Robert Nkemdiche. His lack of impact as a rookie has really hurt his long-term outlook. Arizona needs him to be a difference maker this year as the defensive line talent is really lacking.

Jefferson is going to be replaced by a combination of Antoine Bethea and rookie Budda Baker. Those two and a healthy Tyrann Matheau should help the Cardinals secondary stay strong.

The addition of the versatile Haason Reddick should have a major impact on this defense. He will start out working at inside linebacker and likely rush off the edge in passing situations. This is an impact player who should help the overall success of the defense.

Offensively, the Cardinals are hoping that Carson Palmer still has something left in the tank. They were rumored to be targeting a young quarterback in the draft, but the board didn’t fall in their favor.

This team just strikes me as a group on the decline with issues in the trenches and an aging quarterback.

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