With the first few waves of free agency in the rear view, the Cardinals are in the midst of their annual draft prep. GM Steve Keim will lay the groundwork to bring in a new class of rookies to supplement the roster already built and forge a direction upon which a few more free agents are likely to be signed.
Here is the fifth position group breakdown.
Draft primer: Special Teams
Players under contract: K Matt Prater, P Andy Lee, P Nolan Cooney, LS Aaron Brewer
Need: Low
The Cardinals' situation: Andy Lee and Matt Prater are on the wrong side of 30 and approaching their 20th season in the NFL, yet the duo remains among the most dependable specialists in the NFL. It's why the Cardinals have faith in them entering this season. The fact long snapper Aaron Brewer re-signed this offseason is also a plus, after the special-teams operations took a hit last season when Brewer was hurt.
The draft class: San Diego State punter Matt Araiza remains the one with the most potential to be drafted after his highlight-laden season for the Aztecs, although if a kicker or punter gets drafted in the coming weeks, it likely won't happen until late in the draft. Texas' Cameron Dicker, LSU's Cade York, Iowa State's Andrew Mevis, Oklahoma's Gabe Brkic are among the top kicker prospects available. Colorado State's Ryan Stonehouse, Penn State's Jordan Stout, NC State's Trenton Gill join Araiza as the top punters.
The conclusion: The Cardinals, for example, have not drafted a kicker or punter in two decades. But that could change if the Cardinals want to select one late in the draft to get younger. The team could also just take a flyer on an undrafted rookie in the coming weeks.
Images of the top kicker and punter prospects heading into the draft.
Texas Longhorns place kicker Cameron Dicker (17) and holder Zach Edwards (43) watches as Dicker's field goal attempt flies through the air during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
LSU place kicker Cade York (36) watches his field goal against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
National Team place kicker Andrew Mevis of Iowa State (15) kicks a field goal in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Oklahoma place kicker Gabe Brkic (47) during a NCAA college football game against Tulane Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
San Diego State place kicker Matt Araiza (2) plays during an NCAA football game against Utah on Sept. 18, 2021 in Carson, Calif (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Penn State kicker Jordan Stout (07) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
