NFL Draft 2014: Carson Palmer understands Cardinals may draft QB
By Josh Sanchez
The Arizona Cardinals had an impressive 2013 season thanks to an improvement under center from starting quarterback Carson Palmer, but the team’s success does not mean they will rule out taking a quarterback early in the 2014 NFL Draft.
In our latest mock, we have Teddy Bridgewater falling to Arizona and becoming the pick, and the move isn’t as far of a stretch as some may seem to believe.
More from Arizona Cardinals
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- Steelers almost had a full-blown family reunion in Pittsburgh
- NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
- NFL Rumors: Is a Kyler Murray trade on the horizon for the Cardinals?
- NFL rumors: The latest on DeAndre Hopkins’ free agency entering the weekend
As far as Palmer is concerned, he won’t say whether or not he would like to see the team draft a rookie quarterback but he is aware that the move is possible and business is business.
“If you are in a position to draft the best player on your board, and that’s the best position to be in as an organization, and (a quarterback) is the best player on the board, you are not only making your team better by creating competition but you are helping out the future,” Palmer said, via the team’s official website.
“I know I’m not going to play forever. It’s hard for us players to admit that. The older you get the harder it is to admit it. You don’t see it happening. You still feel good, you still feel confident, you still feel healthy.
“But that’s the reality. That’s the business. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it, whether it irks you or you don’t care. That’s the game.”
If one of the top quarterbacks does ultimately fall on draft day, it could be too hard for the Cardinals to pass up.
Palmer isn’t getting any younger and the team will need to make sure they have a replacement ready to go when he is no longer able to perform. The Cardinals are currently trending in the right direction, they just need to make sure they have a capable quarterback ready to go at all times.