The Arizona Cardinals had their chance to draft their quarterback of the future but let him slip right through their hands. They were next up with the 27th pick and passed on a quarterback to choose a safety. Their current quarterback had a pretty decent year with 4274 passing yards. His touchdowns should have been much higher, finishing with only 24 especially with a talented receiver like Larry Fitzgerald running routes.
At the age of 34 and with no luck of getting any younger Carson Palmer is nearing the end of his career. The Cardinals were in prime position to draft for the future. Any quarterback taken by them would have been a backup this season because Palmer can still produce at an average level in the NFL. The Cardinals offense has improved with the retirement of Rashard Mendenhall, that means that the running game now belongs to the speedy back Andre Ellington. He gained 652 yards on only 118 carries but the promise is there for the future.
The receiving core will always be one of the best as long as Fitzgerald is wearing a Cardinal’s uniform. Last season was not his best year as he only totaled 954 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. A new weapon has emerged on the other side of the field in Michael Floyd as he became a viable second option. Floyd managed a career year with 1041 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
No matter what you may think about him as a person you have to admit that Johnny Manziel has the presence and confidence to be a force in this league for years to come. The Cardinals are gambling with Palmer and his health, taking a risk on unproven Ryan Lindley, bust Drew Stanton and a rookie named Logan Thomas. All of this could have been avoided if they would of called Manziel’s name with that 27th pick.
Close your eyes and imagine “Johnny Football” scrambling around the pocket looking for an escape only to find none. His eyes dart from target to target and finally sees Fitzgerald breaking free from his defender. Manziel sets and plants his feet then launches a perfect bomb that Fitzgerald catches in stride for a 70 yard touchdown. This is what the Cardinals passed up on with the 27th pick.
