Cardinals 2021 NFL Draft primer: Can Kyler Murray get to playoffs?

Team needs entering 2021 NFL Draft

Even with a very busy offseason and some big-name acquisitions after landing defensive end JJ Watt, center Rodney Hudson and running back James Conner the Arizona Cardinals still have some major holes that need addressing come draft time. After parting ways with longtime fan favorite and captain in Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick back on the free agent market the Cardinals will be looking to address the cornerback position early in the draft. As of now, the projected starting boundary cornerbacks are newcomer Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford while Byron Murphy will likely man the starting nickel spot for now.

In addition to the cornerback position, the Cardinals will likely look to address the linebacker need in one of the first few rounds. The Cardinals typically have an odd front as their base package but slide Chandler Jones down to the line of scrimmage in certain situations. The last draft they took hybrid linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons out of Clemson but still could improve the overall positional strength and depth with Jordan Hicks and Markus Golden manning the other two spots.

On the offensive side of the ball, the major needs would be an interior offensive line and or a pass catcher. The tackle positions and center spots are locked up but the guard play could use improvement with Justin Pugh and Brian Winters currently slated to start next seasons. In regards to pass catchers, it can be a wide receiver and or a tight end. Outside of DeAndre Hopkins, you have an often injured and old version of A.J. Green, slot man Andy Isabella and the up and down Christian Kirk who has shown some flashes. The tight end position is in pretty bad shape as well with Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels being the current two-deep.