What A Difference A Year Makes

That also includes what a difference losing a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback makes. In losing Kurt Warner to retirement the Arizona Cardinals looked as if they lost their quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, a couple linebackers, and their special teams units. The loss of Warner killed the Cardinals, and two years removed from the Super Bowl, they now find themselves with a top five draft pick.

Looking at the Cardinals roster they have some pieces that are set like the running backs they have, if healthy, can be a decent one-two punch, and then with Larry Fitzgerald you have a good receiver set right there, but Steve Breaston appears to be able to make the move from slot to the number two receiver. Their cornerbacks and safeties are under control and though Patrick Peterson would be a great fall to number five, that is just not where the most help is necessary.

That is because with the players that are available at this point in the draft, they have more pressing needs. There is still a quarterback available in Cam Newton that some say could go as early as number one. There is a freak of a pass rusher in Da'Quan Bowers, that could be the opposite of Darnell Dockett, and their pressure on the quarterback would be that much more immediate. Peterson could be an outside shot here simply because of the sheer talent that he possesses, and the fact that he is someone you want on your team and could really build a defense around.

The choice for Arizona though should be clear, they need help at that quarterback position, and there is a top flight potential quarterback with a history of winning on the board, and Cam Newton should be their choice. He has the intangibles and swagger that a team like Arizona needs. He has the ability to come in and play right away, learn on the job, because he will be a bit of a project, but someone who can and will learn quickly. He has tools around him that will aid to an immediate amount of success, and he could be like Vince Young who people said needed time to watch the game develop in front of him, but with pieces around him became the rookie of the year.

Predictions as of today for this pick:

Me: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Mel Kiper: Von Miller, OLB, Tecas A&M
Todd McShay: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
NewNFLDraft.com: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M