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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss what to expect from the Cardinals’ 2017 NFL draft class.
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Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley assess the Arizona Cardinals’ selection of Haason Reddick in Round 1 of the NFL draft and discuss the needs the team still has to address.
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Check out how Cardinals fans were feeling during the team’s 2017 NFL draft party.
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Cardinals insider Kent Somers reacts to the introductory press conference for Haason Reddick and what the Cardinals might do next.
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With plenty of defense options on the table and all the quarterbacks gone, the Cardinals elected to go linebacker and Kent and Bob break down the reasons why.
Patrick Breen/azcentral.com
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The Cardinals have made 18 picks in the first round of the NFL draft since 2000. Take a look at the standouts.
Wochit
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With the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft, can the Cardinals afford to repeat their strategy with their last two first-round picks?
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Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers have the latest on the Cardinals draft and the reinstatement of Daryl Washington.
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The Cardinals are hosting draft parties Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Great Lawn outside of University of Phoenix Stadium.
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The Cardinals have the No. 13 pick in Thursday’s NFL draft. Several players are linked to the team in many mock drafts.
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Jay Dieffenbach discuss possible Cardinals strategy in the NFL draft, views on picking a quarterback and more.
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Bob McManaman selects his top five defensive backs for the 2017 NFL draft.
Wochit
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Bob McManaman ranks the top special teams players in the upcoming draft.
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azcentral sports’ Bob McManaman chooses the top five linebacker prospects in the 2017 NFL draft. (Photos by USA Today)
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Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians have found some of their best players in the third round.
Wochit
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Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald and Chandler Jones discuss the importance of giving back and some bets amongst Cardinals players before the Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday at Salt River Fields. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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Cardinals GM Steve Keim has a tough task when it comes to finding quality talent and character to add to the team through the draft.
Wochit
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azcentral sports Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Fostee Rucker. || Video by Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Cardinals defensive tackle Frostee Rucker discusses learning from last year’s expectations and adding Karlos Dansby and other veterans. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Breaking down the top three games of the Cardinals’ 2017 season.
Wochit
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Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss the Cardinals’ potential use (or overuse?) of running back David Johnson.
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Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill talks about golf and the NFL draft at Cardinals annula golf outing. Video: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is ready for the 2017 NFL schedule to be announced.
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Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim talk about the upcoming NFL draft. || David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Carmelo, a dancer, and the Cards’ quiet, classy young superstar.
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald discuss Fitzgerald’s charity softball tournament on Saturday.
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The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald joined azcentral sports’ Kent Somers to discuss the team and the upcoming season.
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Scott Bordow sizes up the first day of strength and conditioning for the Arizona Cardinals at their training facility in Tempe. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero recaps the NFL owners meeting and the proposed league rule changes.
USA TODAY Sports
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Bob McManaman and Kent Somers at the NFL owners meetings on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Bruce Arianas likes full-time officials, centralized replay and says there’s 1 QB in upcoming draft who’s plug-and-play. Video: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Coaches of the National Football Conference take questions from the media in Phoenix on March 29, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Cardinals insider Kent Somers and other reporters talk with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians at the NFC coaches breakfast on Wednesday at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. Video by Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Bob McManaman of azcentral sports talks to AFC coaches at the annual NFL owners meeting at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Bob McManaman and Kent Somers at the NFL owner’s meetings: Coaches of AFC teams meet the media at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Video: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Cardinals coach Bruce Arians discusses free agency, quarterbacks and cornerbacks in the draft on Wednesday night. Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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Cardinals GM Steve Keim discusses this year’s rookie quarterback class ahead of the NFL draft on Wednesday night. Kent Somers/azcentral sports
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Shot Clock: Cards picks make instant impact?
Shot Clock: Tap brakes on Haason Reddick pick?
Sights and sounds from Cardinals draft party
Somers talks Reddick and possible 2nd and 3rd round picks
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Cardinals draft of Haason Reddick
Cardinals’ top first round NFL draft picks since 2000
Can Cardinals afford to be patient with another first-round pick?
Cards face choices with draft, Daryl Washington
What to know about the Cardinals’ draft party
NFL mock drafts: Popular picks for Arizona Cardinals
Shot Clock: Cardinals trade up for QB?
Top 5 defensive backs of 2017 NFL draft
Top 5 special teams players of 2017 NFL draft
NFL draft’s top 5 linebacker prospects
Keim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round
Larry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones talk about Celebrity Softball Game
Cardinals looking for ‘football character’ in NFL draft
Kent Somers talks with Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker
Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker on expectations, adding Karlos Dansby
Top 3 games in Cardinals schedule
Cards playing dangerous game with RB Johnson?
Cardinals president Michael Bidwill talks about golf, NFL draft
Bruce Arians wants to know date of London game
Keim on Cardinals’ NFL draft prep
Shot Clock: New face of Cardinals franchise?
Larry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament
Larry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers
Cardinals begin strength and conditioning program
Goodell says he’ll be in New England for opener
NFL meetings in Phoenix: On Bruce Arians, new rules, the draft
NFC coaches take questions at NFL owners meeting
Kent Somers talks with Bruce Arians at NFC coaches breakfast
Bob McManaman talks to AFC coaches
At the NFL owner’s meetings: AFC head coaches meet the media
Cardinals’ Arians talks free agency and draft
Cardinals GM Keim on draft’s QBs
The 2017 NFL draft is in the books and the Arizona Cardinals received (mostly) positive marks.
But what about next year’s draft?
Early mock drafts are out for 2018 (seriously) and while we admit it is way too early to speculate who the Cardinals could take in next year’s draft, we admit that we were curious to take a look at them.
NFL DRAFT GRADES:How did the Cardinals fare in 2017?
MORE DRAFT: What writers are saying about Cardinals’ first pick
Where do writers have Arizona picking? Who are players being linked to the team at this (ridiculously) early point?
The Heat Index takes a look:
CBS Sports: Cardinals take Washington State QB Luke Falk at No. 20
Will Brinson writes: “Our fifth quarterback of the draft! The Cardinals were a candidate to draft a quarterback early and whether or not Carson Palmer is coming back for 2017, they’re going to need to plan for the future.”
MORE: Cardinals’ first-round NFL draft picks since 2000
Bleacher Report: Cardinals go with SMU WR Courtland Sutton at No. 18
Matt Miller writes: “The Cardinals didn’t get the chance to draft a quarterback early in the 2017 first round, and they don’t get a chance here either. What the team can do is grab a wide receiver to begin learning under Larry Fitzgerald and be someone to eventually take his place as the top threat in the offense. After a draft focused heavily on defense, the Cardinals look loaded up for a run in the NFC West. That leaves the offense looking thin for the future, though, with Carson Palmer and Fitzgerald nearing the end of their careers. Assuming Palmer can hang on a little longer—and the team must think that given its lack of urgency in grabbing a quarterback—putting Sutton on the roster allows John Brown and Jaron Brown to stretch defenses on the inside. Sutton would have had a Round 1 grade if he declared early for the 2017 draft. At 6’4″ and 215 pounds, there’s some A.J. Green to his game.”
Sporting News: Cardinals select Lousiville QB Lamar Jackson at No. 18
Eric Galko writes: “Jackson could rise to first overall consideration with a strong junior season. His athleticism and arm talent doesn’t fit what NFL teams covet in a top-10 passer, but his upside is tremendous.”
MORE: Ranking the biggest NFL draft busts of all time
walterfootball.com: Cardinals pick Oklahoma State WR James Washington at No. 16
It writes: “Larry Fitzgerald has agreed to return for 2017, but it’s unclear how much longer he’ll want to keep playing. Michael Floyd is gone, while John Brown is an impending free agent. Arizona will have to target a receiver early in one of the next two NFL Drafts. James Washington made somewhat of a surprise choice by going back to school; he had a chance to be a first-round this April.”
FOX Sports: Cardinals take Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham at No. 10
Dieter Kurtenbach writes: “One year at Auburn after the transfer from Baylor pushes one of the best arm talents in the nation into the first round. The dual-threat has a tremendous year on The Plains and Arizona finds Carson Palmer’s replacement.”
RELATED: Arizona Cardinals NFL draft history – QBs | WRs | RBs | DBs | LBs
Luke Easterling writes: “Falk may have gotten early-round consideration this time around, but he went back to Pullman for his senior year to refine his skill set. The Bird Gang will need a replacement for veteran Carson Palmer.”
landof10.com: Cardinals take Alabama WR Calvin Ridley at No. 16
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where Cardinals stand after free agency
fanragsports.com: Cardinals select Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph at No. 18
Joe Marino writes: “Carson Palmer is nearing the end of his career, so it’s time for the Cardinals to find his replacement. Rudolph is a big-armed passer who excels at working the football down the field. He is a great fit for coach Bruce Arians’ offense.”
The Big Lead: Cardinals pick Rudolph at No. 12
Jason McIntyre writes: “One of the quiet upsets of the 2017 draft was the Cardinals not taking a QB. If this is Carson Palmer’s final year, what’s the future look like?”
BICKLEY: On paper, Arizona Cardinals ace wacky NFL draft
MORE: Are Cardinals rookies ready to contribute right away?
For more from The Heat Index, go to heatindex.azcentral.com.
Follow Jeremy Cluff on Twitter.
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