The Arizona Cardinals selected 21-year old cornerback Patrick Peterson with the fifth overall pick of the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.  Peterson is a 6’0″, 200 pound stud who also runs a 4.45 40.  Peterson played in 13 games (all starts) for LSU last year and he had 42 tackles, broke up 6 passes and he had 4 interceptions (134 return yards).  He also is an electric return man as Peterson returned 32 kickoffs for 932 yards (29.1 avg) and 26 punts for 418 yards (16.1 avg) with 2 TD returns.  Peterson played in 39 games (30 starts) in his three years with LSU and he had 135 tackles, broke up 22 passes, 7 interceptions (171 return yards), forced 1 fumble and he recovered 1 fumble.  Peterson was an outstanding pick for the Cardinals as he is going to be a difference maker from Day #1 as he is both a good run and pass defender.

The Arizona Cardinals are going to try to reload at linebacker next weekend but they might shock the experts in the first round.  Here is who I see the Cardinals picking in my mock draft:

1st round (#5 overall) – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

2nd round (#38 overall) – Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona

3rd round (#69 overall) – Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina

4th round (#103 overall) – Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State

5th round (#136 overall) – Ryan Winterswyk, DE, Boise State

6th round (#171 overall) – Jabara Williams, OLB, Stephen F. Austin

6th round (#184 overall) – Scott Lutrus, OLB, Connecticut

7th round (#249 overall) – Ryan Donahue, P, Iowa

The Cardinals would get their QB of the future (Gabbert), a lot of new LBs and a starting punter (Donahue).  I would have to say that this would be a nice haul for the Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals got caught picking for need and the results were mixed last April.  Here’s a look back at how the rookies did in 2010:

Dan Williams – The Cardinals used the #26 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft on NT Dan Williams out of Tennessee.  Williams played in 15 games for the Cardinals last year and he had 38 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 passes defensed.  The Cardinals need Williams to step up in 2011 or they are going to have to limit his P.T. because he wasn’t much of a playmaker in 2010.

Daryl Washington – The Cardinals picked inside linebacker Daryl Washington in the 2nd round (#47 overall) out of TCU.  Washington played in 16 games (11 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he had 78 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 passes defensed, 1 interception and he forced 1 fumble.  If Washington can add more weight, he could really be a key to the Cardinals’ future on D.

Andre Roberts – The Cardinals picked WR Andre Roberts in the third round (#88 overall) out of the Citadel.  Roberts played in 15 games (2 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he caught 24 passes for 307 yards (12.8 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Roberts also returned 14 kickoffs for 326 yards (23.3 avg) and 35 punts for 263 yards (7.5 avg) last year.  I think Roberts is going to have a much bigger role going forward in 2011 and beyond for the Cardinals.

O’Brien Schofield -  OLB O’Brien Schofield was picked in the 4th round (#130 overall) out of Wisconsin last April.  He played in 10 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he had 12 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.  Schofield was playing with a bum knee last year and the Cardinals are very excited about him if he can get and stay healthy.

John Skelton – The Cardinals used the #155 overall pick (5th round) on QB John Skelton out of Fordham.  Skelton played in 5 games (4 starts) for the Cardinals at the end of last year and he completed 60 of 126 passes (47.6%) for 662 yards with 2 TD passes and 2 INTs (62.3 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 10 times for 49 yards (4.9 ypc) last year.  Skelton looks like he might be able to be developed into a starting NFL QB down the road, but it’s going to take some time.

Jorrick Colvin – The Cardinals dealt CB Jorrick Colvin to the Eagles before last season started for RB Charles Scott who was a sixth round pick out of LSU.  Scott didn’t get into any games for the Cardinals last year.  Colvin on the other hand played in 12 games for the Eagles and he had 1 tackle.  Colvin also returned 32 kickoffs for 692 yards (21.6 avg) and 12 punts for 125 yards (10.4 avg) last year.  The Cardinals made a bad deal with the Eagles.

Jim Dray – The Cardinals used the #233 overall pick (7th round) on TE  Jim Dray out of Stanford.  Dray played in 16 games (3 starts) for the Cardinals last year and he caught 3 passes for 47 yards (15.7 avg).  The Cardinals are weak at TE, so Dray might have a future with them if he can improve.

GRADE FOR THE 2010 SEASON:  C-

GRADE FOR  THE FUTURE:  B-