Offense: The team was simply abysmal last season in every phase of the game, ranking in the bottom of the league in most offensive categories. The offensive line could neither protect the quarterback (league-worst 58 sacks) or open up holes for their running backs (league-worst 3.4 yards per carry). The addition of #8 overall pick Jonathan Cooper was supposed to help, but will likely miss the season with a broken leg. Carson Palmer will take the helm at quarterback, and provides the team with a big-armed quarterback who is better equipped to take advantage of Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Rashard Mendenhall should give the running game a boost, and rookie Stepfan Taylor (6th round, Stanford) is a durable short-yardage back that provides depth behind Mendenhall.
Defense: Perhaps one of the most underrated defenses in the game, Arizona recorded 38 sacks while racking up more interceptions (22, 2nd in NFL) than passing touchdowns allowed (20). The team will miss Kerry Rhodes' production, but the combination of Yeremiah Bell and rookie Tyrann Mathieu (3rd round) should help. Daryl Washington (9.0 sacks) leads a very strong linebacking corps, which also added Kevin Minter (2nd round) to compete for a starting spot alongside Washington and Alex Okafor (4th round) as another edge-rusher in the team's 3-4 scheme. Defensive end Calais Campbell has been playing at a Pro Bowl level the last couple of years, but the team needs former Pro Bowler Darnell Dockett to return to form after a sub-par 2012 season (34 tackles, 1.5 sacks). Cornerback Patrick Peterson is also becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL (7 interceptions), and is a very big threat in the return game.
Impact Free Agent: Running back Rashard Mendenhall. The Cardinals running game has been anemic in recent seasons, and while that could be a by-product of poor offensive line play, the addition of Mendenhall could change things. Mendenhall missed time last season after suffering a torn ACL at the end of the 2011 campaign, and didn't appear 100% when playing last season. If healthy, Mendenhall gives Arizona the best running back they've had in quite some time.
Impact Rookie: Safety/cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. While he's not currently listed as a starter, Mathieu has a knack for making plays. While he's somewhat small for a safety in run support, the Cardinals will probably use him as a center field-type safety on passing downs, and might also see time covering slot receivers. Were it not for being kicked off LSU's football team for repeated drug-related problems, Mathieu probably would have been gone long before the third round.
Player to Watch: Quarterback Carson Palmer. Ever since Kurt Warner retired, the Cardinals offense has been missing the big-play ability from the passing game. While Palmer is not quite the same player that he was in the mid-2000's, he still has a big arm, and should be able to find Larry Fitzgerald more frequently and accurately than any quarterback since Warner.
Record: 5-11 (4th in NFC West)
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