Yes, I know the NFL Schedule came out yesterday. I'll take that on later. It doesn't change.

The NFL Draft is a day away. Hello?

And for the Cardinals, this could be a very important draft.

I know that's very easy to say, but in an offseason where so much has changed, the Cardinals need to nail this draft.

Arizona has had a few good drafts in a row, but they don't need a repeat of the 2002 draft (if you don't believe me, go check that doozy of a draft out).

With that, let's look at who I believe the Cardinals will take in each round. Keep in mind that it's one big guessing game, and I could be completely wrong on all of these...

Round 1, Pick 26

Don't be shocked if the Cards actually trade down and get more picks for later. They have found some real gems in the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the past (Jake Plummer, Darnell Dockett, Anquan Boldin, etc.).

They won't be able to get who would fill their greatest need here (I believe that would be Dan Williams, the nose tackle from Tennessee) at nose tackle, and they could move back and get one later in the second round if need be.

As well, if a guy like Sean Weatherspoon is off the board, they could move back.

Or they could possibly move up to make a play on Rolando McClain. I highly doubt it, as they don't have a lot of extra picks.

As it is though, I think they'll stay put and hope to get good value that will fall to them, like last year with Beanie Wells.

And as such, I believe they will go with the aforementioned Weatherspoon, as he would fill a big need at inside linebacker. He can also play outside linebacker, which would be a great thing in the 3-4 hybrid the Cards run.

Weatherspoon I believe is the guy they would want at this point of the draft. But if he is off the board, look for them to go with another defensive position, perhaps defensive tackle (which could be a reach) or outside linebacker/defensive end.

Some possibilities here would be guys like Jerry Hughes, Brandon Graham, Jared Odrick, Brian Price, Sergio Kindle, or even Jason Pierre-Paul. It all depends on the teams in front of them, and who they pick.

Pick: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

Round 2, Pick 58

This is where it starts to get tough. I think at this point, teams obviously look at their needs, but also don't pass up a great player if he's there.

But the Cardinals have done a pretty good job of drafting based on need over the years, almost to the point where they'll ignore guys they don't "need" (Adrian Peterson anyone?)

But they have found some real gems by doing this too (DRC for example), so don't fault the organization too much.

The two biggest needs that I'm getting from the brass is linebacker and a nose tackle. With them filling the need for an inside linebacker in round 1, I'd think they'll fill a need at defensive tackle here.

The only other possibility is for them to go after a wide receiver or offensive lineman. But the Cards have found a lot of value out of late round lineman, so I doubt that will happen, and they can wait a while for a WR in a deep class.

There are a few possibilities for nose tackle here. But the Cards like a little attitude. And I've heard Cam Thomas has got some. Other possibilities include Lamarr Houston, Art Jones, and Linval Joseph.

Pick: Cam Thomas, DT, UNC

Round 3, Pick 88

I believe this is where the Cardinals could really find some steals. My understanding is that this will be a defensive draft for the Cardinals, which is why I said they may trade down to get more picks (they have lots of roster room right now).

But in this round, they could at least address a couple of offensive needs: wide receiver and offensive lineman.

I think they'll at least address one of those with these back to back picks. First up, however, I think they continue the defensive trend.

I've heard a lot about this kid from Washington named Donald Butler. In fact, he may be a guy the Cards trade these two picks to move up to get.

Maybe.

But I'm just hoping he falls this far. He could easily go at the end of round two or beginning of round three. Some more possibilities here include other linebackers such as Harry Coleman and Riley Perry or defensive lineman or outside linebackers such as Jason Worilds, or U of A grad Earl Mitchell.

Pick: Donald Butler, LB, Washington

Round 3, Pick 89

This is where I think they could finally address an offensive need. There are several options here at wide receiver, in what I consider a deep class.

There could be someone like Mardy Gilyard available, who would assist Arizona in the return game along with being possibly a number four receiver.

Jacoby Ford could be available. But the receiver with the fastest 40 time in the combine will probably have been scooped up by now.

Or a taller, physical receiver with great hands could be there in a guy like Eric Decker.

It's really tough deciphering who will be left at the end of the third round. The Cardinals, however, tend to go for either big, physical receivers (Boldin and Fitzgerald), or slot guys (Breaston and Bryant Johnson).

I think in the absence of Anquan Boldin, they could go after a big, physical receiver.

And they'll add yet another Missouri Tiger in Danario Alexander, a 6'5", 215 lb receiver.

Pick: Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri

Round 4, Pick 123

This is where I think the Cards could address their other big offensive need. They need depth at the offensive line, but they seem to prefer late round guys, as I mentioned earlier.

With Russ Grimm leading the line, he likes to take projects and fit them into the Cardinals line the way he likes.

So as I'm looking through the draft prospects at O-Line, I'm thinking about a big, physical offensive tackle the Cards could take that could start in a couple years.

How about a 6'8", 316 lb. guy? That sound good? Folks, meet Sam Young, a golden domer.

Pick: Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame

Round 6, Pick 195

Now here's where it's pretty much best player available. I do think the Cards will try to scoop up one more defensive project, however.

There's a guy I've watched a few times in the ACC with a high motor. I can never pronounce his name. I just know he went to Duke.

That's right. Duke.

I mean, if he does well in the Duke football program, why not the NFL. Right?

Pick: Vince Oghobaase, DT, Duke

Round 7, Pick 233

Now that the Cardinals have attempted to fortify their front 7, which is their biggest need coming into the draft, I think there's one more are they may reach for: quarterback.

If Leinart and Anderson don't work out for the Cardinals this season, they'll need to have someone there to step up in the future.

They have held off on re-signing St. Pierre, and I think that means they could draft someone. But they can wait a while, and try to find a "diamond in the rough."

It's tough, however. Some good possibilities include Mike Kafka, Sean Canfield, or John Skelton.

Skelton may have been scooped up already because of his size, however, so I'm thinking Kafka or Canfield could be a possibility.

I've heard the Cardinals radio announcers are actually kind of high on Kafka.

Not that that matters. But I've got to have some reason to go with a guy in round 7.

Pick: Mike Kafka, QB, Northwestern

As you can probably guess, this was really tough to try to do. I left feeling somewhat satisfied, but there are other needs the Cardinals can fill. For example, outside linebacker. Or tight end.

This is why it's very probable the Cardinals trade a pick for more picks. I think they could use a lot of good, solid players from this draft.

But the Cardinals seem to have some plan. Reading recent reports about their draft strategy, Arizona seems to use a draft board of 120 players in order of the brass's liking. This was established by Dennis Green of all people.

Well, if nothing else, hopefully this draft will give us players that make us say, "They are who we thought they were!"

Sorry, couldn't resist.