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Arians narrows Cardinals' draft needs

PHOENIX -- Even though the Arizona Cardinals have stayed true to their "best player available" philosophy throughout the first two NFL drafts under coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim, they still have a list of needs that needs to be filled.

On Wednesday, during the NFC coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meeting at the Arizona Biltmore, Arians shed a little light on what Arizona will address in the draft, held April 30-May 2 in Chicago.

"In the draft, it's still speed," Arians said. "Speed at running back, speed at receiver, speed at linebacker, another interior player. I think we're probably [set at] tight end, but I'd like to find another tight end who is potentially a fullback/H-back type guy."

Besides tight end, running back, offensive linemen and cornerback could also be on Arizona's draft wish list.

Arians called the crop of running backs in this year's draft the best he's seen in the past decade, adding there are about 15 "really quality" running backs available.

"I think we'll have a chance to get one we really like," Arians said.

If Arizona drafts a running back, Arians has a specific style he wants: big and fast.

The Cardinals had that last season in Jonathan Dwyer, but he was placed on the non-football injury list after two games following an arrest in September.

"We obviously missed Jonathan," Arians said. "That was a big hit to us. Jonathan's not just a big back, he's a fast back. His run in New York [against the Giants in Week 2], when we bounced it outside and went 50 yards, is typical Jon. We're looking to hopefully find that: not just a big back but a fast back."

Arians thinks the Cardinals could find that type of back in the fourth or fifth round.

"This is one of the best drafts for running backs that I've seen in a while," he said.

Another position the Cardinals may address in the draft is cornerback.

After losing Antonio Cromartie in free agency, Arians said he doesn't want to sign a veteran corner to compete for his job with incumbent veterans Jerraud Powers and Justin Bethel.

"I'd really like to add a young one," Arians said. "A young, long, fast one because I think we have enough depth with the guys we have."