NFL Mock Draft: Cardinals Select Adrian Peterson No. 5

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

After an offseason shake-up in the coaching staff, the Arizona Cardinals appear set to take a new direction. Ken Whisenhunt has come in and quickly established himself as a man with a plan. The plan is to fix the offensive line and improve the running game; something he'll use the draft to do. With Joe Thomas already off the board, it leaves few options for Whisenhunt at pick number five. Luckily for him and the Cardinals, few does not mean none.

As Whisenhunt said in late March, if Adrian Peterson is available at number five the Cardinals will take him. I realize this may come as a bit of a shock to some people but if you dig deeper it does make sense. Peterson is one of the few players in the draft that can be classified as a "sure thing." With Edgerrin James not getting any younger and Whisenhunt looking to decrease his carries, Peterson can play a compliment role while he develops into one of the NFL's best backs.

It has also become a trend in the NFL to use the two-back system. I haven't exactly been a fan of it, but I can't really argue with the results either. Behind James the Cardinals have Marcel Shipp, who outside of one good game last year has done nothing, and J.J. Arrington who has become nothing more than a return man. At this point neither are adequate back-ups should James go down, so Peterson would give them a bit of security and a future star.

The Skinny
Team Needs: TE, DE, LB, OT, C, RB
Player Selected: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Also Considered: Jamal Anderson, DE, Arkansas and Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
No. 4 Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
No. 6 Redskins: Next

See all mock draft picks so far.