Arizona Cardinals: Five necessary changes for 2017

Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians looks on in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians looks on in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Receiver

The thought that the Cardinals would need to review their receiving core at any point over the next season or two was inconceivable.  Now, after injuries and ineptness, the Cardinals must seriously review this position in the offseason.

Michael Floyd sealed his fate on Monday with his DUI arrest.  He was already under-performing on the field, now this.  John Brown has to deal with the uncertainty of Sickle Cell Trait.

Jaron Brown will be invited back.  His season ended prematurely just as he was coming on.  Brittan Golden will likely be in the preseason mix as well.

With Larry Fitzgerald’s uncertain future, the Cardinals need to seriously look at drafting a receiver this upcoming April. Fitz said last week he won;t be around long enough to over take Tony Gonzalez on the all-time receptions list.

If Fitz played two more seasons like this one, he’d certainly come very close.  So the comments indicate Fitz is thinking about hanging it up before then.  So is that after 2016 or 2017?

A lot of areas to digest.  The Cardinals also have many other areas to look at, including offensive line, but for now these five areas should be at the forefront of the decision-making.