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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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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a play against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a play against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Safety

The Cardinals moved Deone Bucannon to linebacker because they had an abundance of talent at the safety position. Now, they have an abundance of questions at the safety position. Tony Jefferson is set to be a free agent this offseason. The team already has questions worthy of big time money, and Jefferson is just another name on the list. However, of all of the free agents, Jefferson may be most likely to leave for a big payday. Aside from Eric Berry, Jefferson is the cream of the crop and will see a huge contract no matter where he goes.

On top of that, D.J. Swearinger is a free agent. Tyrann Mathieu is a safety by position, but is mostly a slot cornerback. The Cards should try hard to bring back Swearinger, but there is now a chance that they will be adding two new starting caliber safeties next season.

This could be a position the team hits in the draft and free agency. Free agency would obviously yield a cheaper name; if they were to spend big it would be on Jefferson. However, they could shoot early in the draft for his replacement. Malik Hooker was once a top ten lock in the draft, but an injury may push him down the draft and into the Cardinals range. They also could also look for more versatility like Bucannon and Mathieu in Jabrill Peppers. Still, without Jefferson coming back, the Cardinals will absolutely have to hit this position in the first four rounds this offseason.

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