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AP: 0587fd40-eaa6-4421-b4c2-f4d3387eacc6
West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith (12) looks to pass during the second quarter of their NCAA college football game against Kansas in Morgantown, W.Va., on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Christopher Jackson)
It's never too early to start thinking about the NFL Draft, especially if you're a fan of a team that's in the middle of a nine-game losing streak.

That's the boat Arizona Cardinals fans are in. And considering the woeful play the team has gotten from the quarterback position during the skid, fans will be happy with what ESPN/Scouts, Inc. draft expert Todd McShay has Arizona doing in his very early 2013 mock draft.

McShay has the Cardinals tabbing West Virginia signal caller Geno Smith with the eighth overall selection.

There is still a lot of work to do on the top quarterbacks, but the question at this point is how high a team will reach for the top player a the position. It's easy to argue the Cardinals need a quarterback as badly as any team in the NFL right now, and when Smith is on, his mechanics, footwork and confidence make him an effective passer.

Smith got off to a tremendous start in 2012, throwing for 1,996 yards with 24 touchdown passes and zero interceptions during the Mountaineers' 5-0 start. West Virginia finished the season 7-5 and Smith ended up throwing 40 touchdowns and finished fifth in the nation in passing efficiency.

Smith stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 214 pounds -- decent size for an NFL signal caller. McShay currently has Smith ranked as the top quarterback in the 2013 draft crop and 23rd-ranked player overall.

The Cardinals last drafted a quarterback in the first round in 2006, when they nabbed USC's Matt Leinart with the tenth overall pick.

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    Lee A. wrote...
    Go for O-Line
    I still think the O-line needs to be addressed first. Assuming Kolb is healthy next year (and still in a Cards uniform), he's a pretty good (not great) QB who can run the offense if he gets more protection and the running game can keep defenses honest. If Kolb is gone (for whatever reason) then yeah, go for a QB with the 1st round pick but otherwise, go for O-line help.
  • Abuse
    Shaun wrote...
    NO!
    Shore up that O line now! Draft a QB later. If the O line is crap, no QB is going to thrive, or even survive for that matter! Get that O line working together and get them cohesive. THEN bring in or draft a QB.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    I think
    QB first. They can address O Line needs in FA. Because at this point they need veteran Tackles and a Guard that can protect whoever they put in at QB. The main issue is we dont have talented QBs that can make good reads or throws. Warner was able to do that behind a bad line. Why? Bcuz he was talented. Kolb has potential but is always hurt. Skelton and Lindley suck. Bad. So we draft a talented young QB, the sky is the limit. Issue is hes gna need good protection. Its going to take a young O Linmen time to develop. Speaking of develop, Grimm & Whiz, cant develop... :/
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    mrpeary3189 wrote...
    @FitzIsMyHero
    I agree with you 100%. What's the point of drafting an O-Lineman that's gonna take years to be elite? I would definitely go after Jake Long from Miami. It looks like he wants outta there in the worst possible way. I wouldn't be upset if the Cards drafted Geno Smith. He's kinda like RG3 with a stronger arm. People will knock Smith's Senior Year because WVU went 7-5. Well, the Mountaineers didn't have a great defense so they were relying on Smith to throw 500 yards a game. With the Cards, he won't have to worry about that.
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    Thaidragon wrote...
    NO-OH
    Why would u pick a O line player now the QB will be sacked no matter what, another thing the QB in this draft is weak pick up your future QB now unless U So-Called card fans believe in CORN ON THE KOLB, LINDSEY LOHAN, OR SKELTONS IN MY CLOSET as your future. Like Fizt said go 2 FA for your O help.
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    whitakaxi wrote...
    Offensive Line Has to Be the Pick
    Take the tackle from Texas A&M or Michigan and move Levi Brown to Right Guard. That shores up teh online and then you can draft a QB in the 2nd round or pick up a Free Agent QB. The Oline has been neglected enough already. Time to get your LT for the next 10 years.
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    Joe R. wrote...
    If we have no line, Montana wouldn't work
    You supplement through FA, you build through the draft. The Cards are cheap and will not get great FAs. Anyone who wants a QB in 1st is foolish. This draft is loaded with great offensive tackles, not quarterbacks. I like Geno but he is a reach at #5ish overall. Good players are not let go unless they are too expensive. So the only good FA offensive lineman are too pricey for the cheap Cards. Please, lets learn our lesson. Levi is back next year, put him on the right, draft Joeckel on put him on the left. Then we can talk QBs, without a line Montana couldn't make this work.
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    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Smith is tempting, but
    The Cards absolutely have to take an O-lineman.This is supposed to be a draft heavy in O-line talent, the Cards can't afford to miss out. The only way that they don't is if they fill the O-line need in free agency first, and I don't turst the front office to do that.
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    mesa mad man wrote...
    Talent Avaliable
    You need to look at the talent avaliable before you start saying OT no matter what. The top tier tackles have a high chance of being off the board before the cards pick. Its like picking Levi because Joe Thomas was gone. There was a huge dropoff between the top tackle and then next best. If Geno falls to you, you have to take him. The problem will be that after the combine and everything, Qb's tend to shoot up the draft boards - i would expect Geno to be gone in the top 3 or 4 picks. we can wait til round 2 to pick up some offensive line help. The dropoff in talent shouldnt be as drastic.
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    CardinalsDUDE wrote...
    Here's the thing
    Draft either Geno or Barkley, first round, then draft a monster tackle or guard , and Cards keep an eye out for Montee Ball! This kid is amazing not to mention is HEALTHY. After that focus on to guards or tackles. Please Cards front office read this and FIRE WHIZ! GET JIM KELLY or NICK SAVEN! Get Nor Turner as offensive cord. and WE WILL GO TO THE PLAYOFFS NO TIME!
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