Arizona Cardinals 2013 NFL Draft: Team needs and potential solutions

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Since earning a trip to the Super Bowl with quarterback Kurt Warner, the entire Arizona franchise had been a massive disappointment. There is just no other way to put it: Everyone the Cardinals have tried under center has been nothing short of an undeniable failure. While the franchise’s defense has been up to snuff for the last several years, even having Larry Fitzgerald at wide receiver has not helped bring the offense up to a respectable level. Luckily, there are still going to be several options remaining at the No. 7-overall selection.

Here is what they will be thinking about.

1. Quarterback: This is obvious. The Cardinals have started Kevin Kolb, Derek Anderson, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley, Brian Hoyer and Max Hall since Kurt Warner retired. Arizona will probably select a signal-caller fairly early in the 2013 NFL Draft.
2. Offensive Tackle: Levi Brown will be coming back from a triceps tear, but needed to be upgraded anyway. Nate Potter’s not the answer at left tackle either. Scottsdale native Taylor Lewan will be awfully temping at No. 7 overall this April.
3. Rush Linebacker: Arizona lacks someone who can consistently get to the quarterback. Sam Acho is just OK, while O’Brien Schofield can’t seem to stay healthy.
4. Running Back: Chris Wells is just a pedestrian, fragile Big Ten plodder, while Ryan Williams simply cannot stay healthy. The Cardinals need a solution at this position, so they’ll probably take a runner with a mid-round selection.
5. Inside Linebacker: Paris Lenon can’t be allowed to start again. He was awful last year.

We have broken down the 2013 NFL Draft needs for all 32 teams.

What do you think Gamedayrs?