The NFL draft will be held from April 28-30 in Chicago. The Cardinals have addressed many of their biggest needs through the Chandler Jones trade and free agency but will aim to add more impact pieces. We'll take a look at each position group over the next few weeks as the draft beckons.
Draft primer: Safety
Cardinals under contract:Tyrann Mathieu; Tyvon Branch; Chris Clemons; Durell Eskridge; Brandon Person; Tyrequek Zimmerman
Need: Low
Images of the safety prospects expected to be chosen in the NFL Draft
Florida State's Jalen Ramsey: Projected top-five pick
Florida's Keanu Neal: Projected second-rounder
Duke's Jeremy Cash: Projected second-rounder
Ohio State's Vonn Bell: Projected second-rounder
LSU's Jalen Mills: Projected third-rounder
West Virginia's Karl Joseph: Projected third-rounder
Clemson's T.J. Green: Projected third-rounder
Boise State's Darian Thompson: Projected fourth-rounder
Southern Utah's Miles Killebrew: Projected fourth-rounder
Middle Tennessee's Kevin Byard: Projected fifth-rounder
Clemson's Jayron Kearse: Projected fifth-rounder
West Virginia's K.J. Dillon: Projected fifth-rounder
Maryland's Sean Davis: Projected fifth-rounder
Illinois' Clayton Fejedelem: Projected sixth-rounder
Boston College's Justin Simmons: Projected sixth-rounder
William & Mary's DeAndre Houston-Carson: Projected sixth-rounder
Ohio State's Tyvis Powell: Projected sixth-rounder
Appalachian State's Doug Middleton: Projected seventh-rounder
Central Michigan's Kavon Frazier: Projected seventh-rounder
Penn State's Jordan Lucas: Projected seventh-rounder
Analysis: The Cardinals will have a little different look at safety this season as Tyvon Branch was added to the fold while Rashad Johnson left for the Titans in free agency. Branch is projected to start alongside Tyrann Mathieu, giving the defense a pair of speedy safeties with the ability to cover. While Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger are still restricted free agents, they will return as long as another team doesn't give them an offer sheet by April 22. They figure to be the main backups, with Jefferson still a key cog since the team will likely use plenty of formations with five defensive backs. Chris Clemons is a depth piece who also contributes on special teams.
As long as Swearinger and Jefferson come back, the Cardinals will have five veteran safeties on the roster, making it challenging to fit in a draft pick. However, Mathieu is rehabilitating from a torn ACL and none of the safeties are signed for more than two more years, so if the front office wants a cheap piece moving forward, a rookie could be in play.
Florida State's Jalen Ramsey is the best safety in the draft and will be long gone by the time the Cardinals choose at No. 29. Florida's Keanu Neal could be a first round selection, while Ohio State's Vonn Bell, Duke's Jeremy Cash and West Virginia's Karl Joseph are projected as second-day picks.
The Cardinals have solid depth at safety and can easily enter the season without adding any more pieces there. But like other spots that look full, General Manager Steve Keim won't hesitate to add a player if he sees value, not only for 2016 but in the future as well.
