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2013 NFL Mock Draft: Cardinals projected to take Matt Barkley or Luke Joeckel

The Cards have a couple obvious offensive needs, and they may try to fill one of those with their first-round pick.

By Craig Powers
USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals are likely to be selecting in the top 10 of the 2013 NFL Draft, and odds are they will be looking to upgrade at either quarterback or offensive line. Both positions have struggled mightily, and CBS has the Cardinals taking either quarterback Matt Barkley or offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the fourth pick overall.

Rob Rang projects the Cardinals will pick Barkley out of USC. If looking at the best players available, Barkley is nowhere near a top-10 pick. However, Arizona's quarterbacks have been among the worst in the league in 2012, and the Cards may be looking to take a chance on a possible franchise leader.

On the other hand, Arizona may be hoping for a quarterback in the later rounds and go the best player available route, while also filling a need, by selecting Joeckel. Dane Brugler projects the Cardinals to do just that by selecting the 6'6, 310-pound Texas A&M star.

With the subpar performances at both those positions all year, Arizona could go either direction. It will likely come down to whether or not the team can find an answer at quarterback through a different route.