Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft Watch

Apr 28, 2011, 7:35 PM | Updated: 8:36 pm

As we get ever closer to the NFL draft speculation is running ramped. Will the Arizona Cardinals find their ‘quarterback of the future’? Will they address their need at linebacker or will they completely shock the league and take a wide receiver?

While we won’t know the answers to those questions until draft day, we decided to give you the next best thing, the Arizona Cardinals Draft Watch. We’ll round up all the rumors and let you know who we think is most likely to have his name read when the commissioner steps to the podium to announce the No. 5 pick.

Rank	Player	Reason
#1	Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU	Mel Kiper’s latest draft has the Cardinals picking the CB.
Rank	Player	Reason
#2	Trading Down	Rumors are heating up that the Cardinals will look to move down.
Rank	Player	Reason
#3	A.J. Green, WR, Georgia	Most mock drafts have him going to the Bengals at No.4.
Rank	Player	Reason
#4	Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri	Up until today he wasn’t even on the radar but Todd McShay is saying he’ll be the pick.
Rank	Player	Reason
#5	Blaine Gabbert, QB, University of Missouri	ESPN NFL Analyst Merril Hoge told Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug and Wolf that Gabbert is a second or third round pick ‘at best’.
Rank	Player	Reason
#6	Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M	It’s looking less and less likely that he’ll get past the Denver Broncos at No. 2.
Rank	Player	Reason
#7	Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina	If the Cardinals decide it’s pass rusher or bust, Quinn may be the guy. An athletic freak, he’s a good bet to be available when the Cardinals are up.
Rank	Player	Reason
#8	Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson	Bowers says he’s ‘the best pass rusher in the draft.’ If Coach Whiz is on board and they’re confident he’s healthy, you never know.
Rank	Player	Reason
#9	Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama	Not exactly a need and not expected to be available at five, Dareus would be an enticing option for the Cardinals — or some other team to trade up for.
Rank	Player	Reason
#10	Cam Newton, University of Auburn	Even if the Cardinals wanted him chances are good he’ll be off the board by the time the Broncos pick at 2. Even if the Cardinals wanted him are the operative words.