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Three biggest concerns for the Cardinals before the draft

James Conner. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Three biggest concerns for the Arizona Cardinals before the draft

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 3/28/23

Arizona’s over/under number is 5.5 wins for next year, but if the Cardinals don’t address these concerns, the season could be over before it starts.

1. Running back

Currently, Arizona has four running backs signed for 2023 but fans shouldn’t be excited about any of them.

James Conner stayed healthy for 13 games last year but had almost half as many fumbles (three) as he did touchdowns (seven) and his 782 yards ranked 30th among running backs.

Keaontay Ingram underwhelmed in six games as a rookie with 60 yards and 2.2 per carry.

Corey Clement had 55 yards in nine games last season and Ty’Son Williams had one game with the team.

Bijan Robinson is considered the best running back in this year’s draft and with the third pick, Arizona can have him if they want him. But with so many holes to fill, the team could look to trade down for more picks. If they do, Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs could be available and just what the team needs.

Here’s 2 minutes of Jahmyr Gibbs being a monster pic.twitter.com/Wsl45YGSwV
— Who Dey Joe (@WhoDeyJoseph) March 27, 2023

2. Defense

Three of Arizona’s best defensive players are gone. Defensive lineman Zach Allen left for Denver, cornerback Byron Murphy joined the Vikings and J.J. Watt called it a career. But even with those three, the Cardinals still gave up the second-most points in the league last year.

As a former defensive coordinator, new head coach Jonathan Gannon understands what needs to be done. The team added six free agents to the defense so far and should get even more help from the draft.

The Cardinals can have the draft’s best defensive prospect if they keep the No. 3 pick. Some believe they’ll take Alabama’s Will Anderson, others think it could be Georgia’s Jalen Carter.

Even if they trade the pick, players like Clemson’s Myles Murphy and Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez could still be on the board.

3. Wide receiver

Assuming DeAndre Hopkins is traded, the wide receiver position could be dangerously thin next year. Marquise Brown would assume the No. 1 role, but after four years in the league, his numbers are hardly elite. The team re-signed Greg Dortch for another year and added Zach Pascal as a free agent. Dortch was fine as the team’s third receiver last season, but Pascal had just 15 catches for 150 yards as an Eagle.

Arizona formally met with Ole Miss receiver Jonathan Mingo at the scouting combine where the 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver turned heads with a 4.46 40-yard dash and a 39.5-inch vertical jump. Mingo has been moving up draft boards lately, but if the Cardinals are interested, he could still be available in the second round.

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