Offensively, the Cardinals need to take a step forward this year. They need to so they don't pressure the defense as much as last year (especially after some unknowns with defensive changes) and they need to so they can keep up in the NFC West arms race. Good news — there is a confidence there it will happen. Who are the guys who will be at the forefront of that plan? Here's my guess, at least for the regular-season opener. (If you want to see the defensive picks, click here.)
QB — Carson Palmer. Biggest question around Palmer at this point? What happens in 2015, considering Palmer is scheduled to be a free agent after the season. But he is the guy the Cards will ride or die with this season.
RB — Andre Ellington. No-brainer. He's earned the right, and we'll see about the touches per game, which I will guess will be 20 to 22 a game.
WR — Larry Fitzgerald. Big year for Fitz, who scored last year like he once did but is still searching for his first 1,000-yard season since 2011 and who is coming to a crossroads — along with the franchise — with his contract in 2015.
WR — Michael Floyd. He's a star on the rise. He played well last year, and he should be better this season. The third wide receiver should be Ted Ginn, but I fully expect John Brown to at least have a chance to play a role in the offense.
TE — John Carlson. This is assuming he stays healthy, but Carlson has looked good in the offseason and could prove to be a very nice bargain.
TE — Jake Ballard. At some point — maybe not until 2015 — this will be Troy Niklas' spot. The rookie is far behind right now. Rob Housler still has a chance to work his way into the lineup. But right now, Ballard is feeling good with his knee and he is closer to the blocker that Arians likes.
LT — Jared Veldheer. The left tackle they have always wanted.
LG — Jonathan Cooper. He's going to be back to health. Time for the 2013 first round pick to get his time on the field and show why the brass so believes in him.
C — Lyle Sendlein. Old reliable is what they want in the middle.
RG — Earl Watford. Paul Fanaika has been running first unit and there is also veteran Ted Larsen lurking as a possibility. But the Cardinals are hoping Watford comes around and takes control of a job he was drafted to have.
RT — Bobby Massie. Another wide open spot. There's always a possibility of a late-summer free agent signing. Bradley Sowell isn't go to go away. But Massie has looked better in the offseason work and in a lot of ways, this is probably his last chance to take ahold of the place he held as a rookie.
So that's that. There will be a lot of time and practices between now and the opener. Injuries happen. Battles will be won or lost. We will see how this guesstimate (educated as it might be) holds up.
