CBS Insider: Cards should ‘think very hard’ about drafting QB early

Sep 30, 2013, 11:03 PM | Updated: 11:03 pm

The Arizona Cardinals hoped to at least temporarily solve their quarterback woes when they traded for Carson Palmer during the offseason.

But just four games into his career in Arizona, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora says the Cardinals “have to think very hard” about drafting a quarterback early in the 2014 draft, though Palmer’s under contract through 2015.

Palmer has been OK during his time with the Cardinals, completing 57.2 percent of his passes for 1,010 yards, though he’s thrown six interceptions to go with just four touchdowns. While he’s a drastic improvement over what the Cardinals had in place before him, he doesn’t look like someone who can be relied on to lead them to the playoffs.

The Cardinals will likely find themselves picking anywhere from the early-to-mid first round, and the 2014 quarterback class is expected to be a significant improvement over last year’s draft.

Some of the names that could be available when the Cardinals make their early selections include Georgia’s Aaron Murray, Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and UCLA’s Brett Hundley, as well as several athletic quarterbacks that could make for an interesting project like Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel or Ohio State’s Braxton Miller.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown fined in speeding case

Arizona Cardinals receiver Hollywood Brown was fined $473 with credit for time served for an August speeding arrest on the Loop 101 freeway.
17 hours ago
Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warm up prior ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals ‘feel really good’ at QB as Kyler Murray preps for next phase of rehab

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is making steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL suffered last season.
17 hours ago
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Isaiah Simmons remains positionless in Cardinals’ new-look defense

The Cardinals have a decision to make when it comes down to Isaiah Simmons. And no, it's not centered around the fifth-year option.
2 days ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals is called for a personal foul penalty against Eric Sto...
Tyler Drake

Jonathan Gannon operating under premise DeAndre Hopkins will be a Card

While the trade chatter surrounding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins continues, he's a Cardinal until he isn't in HC Jonathan Gannon's eyes.
17 hours ago
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) walks off the field after being checked for an inju...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals replacing head athletic trainer Tom Reed

The Arizona Cardinals have fired longtime head athletic trainer Tom Reed, reports Compare.bet's Kyle Odegard.
2 days ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch in front of David Long Jr. #22 of the Lo...
Wills Rice

Report: Cardinals grant teams permission to speak to DeAndre Hopkins

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly granted teams permission to speak to wideout DeAndre Hopkins and his agent, SI's Albert Breer said.
3 days ago
CBS Insider: Cards should ‘think very hard’ about drafting QB early