The Cardinals’ quarterback options could be limited by 15th pick

Hours out from the 2018 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals have plans for big decisions — or big moves.

That’s because the hurdles to acquire a quarterback of the future are out in the open. Several quarterback-needy teams already made trades to improve their draft positioning, and even with up to six quarterbacks being considered as potential first-round picks, it’s a wonder how many of those will still be on the board if Arizona holds at the No. 15 overall pick.

Of course, the Cardinals aren’t in dire need of a quarterback. They’ve signed starter Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon as depth, yet there’s no better way to find a franchise signal-caller than via the draft. In some order, Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson and Mason Rudolph are considered the six best quarterbacks available.

Looking over a collection of 14 notable mock drafts to begin the week of the draft (and omitting trades by Arizona), nobody has fewer than three quarterbacks going off the board before Arizona drafts 15th.

5 off the board by No. 15 (2): NFL.com’s Charles Davis, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks

4 off the board by No. 15 (9): ESPN’s Kiper/McShay, Huddle Report’s Robby Esch, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com’s Charley Casserly, CBS Sports’ Will Brinson, The Athletic’s Chris Burke, NFL.com’s Curtis Conway, SB Nation’s Dan Kadar, Bleacher Report’s Doug Farrar

3 off the board by No. 15 (3): CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli, Walter Football’s Walter Cherepinsky, PFF’s Steve Palazzolo

With that, let’s take a look at which teams are drafting ahead of Arizona and what their quarterback situations look like — without considering their other needs — to imagine how many of them just might draft a quarterback if one of their favorites falls into their laps.

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1. Cleveland Browns

Do they need a QB? Probably. The Browns aren’t in a rush. Though they traded DeShone Kizer after his rocky rookie season, they also bought themselves time by acquiring Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills.

With the first pick and the fourth pick, the Browns could in theory draft a quarterback of the future. They could also push that need to next year and attempt to dangle the fourth pick as trade bait in front of needy teams like Arizona. They have shopped the No. 4 pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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2. New York Giants

Do they need a QB? Yes. Eli Manning is 37 and for a struggling team last year put together one of his least-productive seasons. A new front office could be ready to begin searching for the veteran quarterback’s replacement.

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3. New York Jets (via Colts)

Do they need a QB? Probably. New York re-signed veteran Josh McCown as insurance and inked Teddy Bridgewater, who is working back from his career-threatening knee injury two years ago.

They’re prepared for the interim, but with a No. 3 pick, they can get the future-building going. Based on their move up from the sixth slot, it appears they have a quarterback as a target.

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4. Cleveland Browns (via Texans)

Do they need a QB? See above.

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5. Denver Broncos

Do they need a QB? Maybe. It all depends on whether you believe Broncos GM John Elway about sticking with the development of backup Paxton Lynch behind newly-signed starter Case Keenum. Elway has also publicly listed the pick for sale.

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6. Indianapolis Colts (via Jets)

Do they need a QB? No. Trading down from No. 3 and taking a package from the Jets means general manager Chris Ballard believes quarterback Andrew Luck’s shoulder injury isn’t a career-threatening issue.

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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Do they need a QB? No. They’re set with Jameis Winston.

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8. Chicago Bears

Do they need a QB? No, not after very surprisingly trading up and then selecting Mitch Trubisky second in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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9. San Francisco 49ers

Do they need a QB? Nope. The 49ers made Jimmy Garoppolo a well-paid man and long-term answer at quarterback.

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10. Oakland Raiders

Do they need a QB? No. First-year head coach John Gruden is set with Derek Carr.

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11. Miami Dolphins

Do they need a QB? Possibly. Ryan Tannehill’s second torn ACL might have Miami concerned about his durability and future as the starting quarterback.

If other teams ahead of the Dolphins are gun-shy about drafting QBs, it’s possible they select one.

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12. Buffalo Bills (via Bengals)

Do they need a QB? Yes. Buffalo signed free agent A.J. McCarron this offseason. It’s likely he’s more of a bridge option after trading Taylor.

The Bills’ trade of defensive tackle Cordy Glenn to move them from 21st to 12th makes it appear that they want a quarterback at this slot.

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13. Washington Redskins

Do they need a QB? No. They let Kirk Cousins walk and acquired Alex Smith from the Chiefs this offseason.

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14. Green Bay Packers

Do they need a QB? Nope. The Packers are well-stocked with Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley and Kizer on the roster.

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15. Arizona Cardinals

Do they need a QB? Obviously. But even with up to six quarterbacks potentially going in the first round of the draft, the Cardinals might find themselves looking at the fifth- or sixth-best quarterback option by this point and potentially reaching.

All of these questions linger:

– Even if only three quarterbacks are off the board, do they like the next QB on their big board?

– Do they trade down to draft a quarterback later on while acquiring more draft picks?

– Can general manager Steve Keim move up and nab a higher pick now that a couple of quarterback-needy teams like Buffalo already made their intentions known heading into draft day?

– Or do the Cardinals like a darkhorse quarterback prospect enough to take a stab in the second round or later?

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