Arizona Cardinals must avoid drafting an unworthy quarterback
By Jim Koch
Arizona Cardinals’ fans need not be surprised if the front office decides there’s not a quarterback worth drafting this year
When it comes to drafting a quarterback from this year’s crop, the Arizona Cardinals need to be aware of a Latin phrase. The phrase, caveat emptor, means “let the buyer beware” in English. After an evaluation of the signal-callers entering the league next week, never has a phrase so aptly applied.
In a year when the Cardinals have their highest draft pick in four years, 2017’s passers are frighteningly mediocre. An argument can be made that every projected first-rounder has the skill level and intangibles of a second-day prospect. But in the world of the NFL, teams that need quarterbacks will reach to get one, hence driving up their value.
The Cards, unfortunately, are one of those “quarterback-needy” clubs. Starter Carson Palmer had most of the Valley sweating bullets when he considered retirement earlier this year. He ultimately gave Arizona a reprieve by deciding to return, at least for the 2017 campaign.
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So the writing is on the wall, the organization needs to get Palmer’s replacement in next week’s draft, correct? Not so fast, Red Sea.
The fact of the matter is that there are no Andrew Lucks, Matt Ryans or Cam Newtons vying to be drafted this time around. That’s not to say that all the quarterbacks of the ’17 group should go undrafted, obviously. But Arizona would probably be making a huge mistake by selecting one with the 13th overall pick.
General manager Steve Keim and his cohorts need to resist the temptation to do so. Taking a flier on a quarterback in the mid to late rounds, like a Nathan Peterman of Pittsburgh, is a different story. Perhaps there is a Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson or even a (don’t laugh!) Tom Brady entering the NFL this year.
There’s a solid chance that this will be the last go-around for Larry Fitzgerald and Palmer. Management owes it to the duo to fill one of the squad’s dire needs with their first-round pick. Getting the quarterback of the future may just have to wait a little longer.