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Arizona Cardinals: 5 offseason needs

By Parker Hurley

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) walks to the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) walks to the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

 3. Wide Receiver

Arizona went from a team with one of the most promising receiving corps in the NFL just last year, to a group with a plethora of questions entering this offseason. Larry Fitzgerald is now 33 years old. While he has said that he plans to come back for another season in 2017, the team has to eventually be thinking about a Fitzgerald replacement.

Last season the Cardinals looked like they had a group worthy of living life without Fitzgerald. However, Michael Floyd completely fell off, had a major off-field issue, and was eventually cut from the team. Jon Brown suffered a concussion in training camp, and had dealt with the sickle cell trait throughout the season. That is an off-field condition that will linger throughout his career. J.J. Nelson improved his play and status thanks to the issues of the other two players. However, he is a bit small to be a top receiving threat, and is a bit of a one trick pony.

The Cardinals do not have a future to rely on at wide receiver and will have to address the position this offseason. The best way for them to do this would be the draft. Bringing in an old veteran name does not replace Fitzgerald in the long term. Having a young, high upside pick groom behind a Hall of Famer, and grow with a player like Nelson who can give him space, it would be a great fit. This is a deep receiving class, and in the middle rounds the Cardinals can find a great option for the future.

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