I would take Manziel, WildBB. BA could start Palmer but have packages for Manziel. That's the thing---BA believes 1st round QBs should play---and he means it.
Peter King wrote two things of interest in his MMQB blog:
1. He reports that the Cardinals are very high on Derek Carr and A.J. McCarron.
2. He believes the Cardinals will take a QB in Round 1 or 2.
The thing is---I don't see McCarron sliding to #52. If the Texans don't take a QB at #1, I could see them taking McCarron (a Tom Brady cerebral type) at #33. I could see Jason Licht taking McCarron at #38 or Jacksonville (if they don't take at QB at #3) at #39.
3. I wonder if the Cardinals are throwing out a smoke screen on Carr and McCarron---because I think what they really want is someone to trade up to #20, so they can add extra picks.
Also, could it be that by showing interest in Carr and McCarron they may be taking atttention away from the guy they really want at #52: Zach Mettenberger?
I think the Cardinals will take a QB in this draft---my guess is---if they are able to add another 1 or two picks, it will be Mettenberger in the 2nd round (if he makes it to #52)---or they may pounce on one in the 3rd or 4th round.
I think it's likely that the Cards take a QB in this draft and do it earlier than I and many expected.
Most here thought of QB as an after thought, and it still could be depending on how it all comes down.
I think that if Carr makes it to pick 20, he may indeed be deemed BPA for the franchise long term. It wouldn't help them much this year, so the FO will have to have that pick work out right. Keim's stamp of approval will be all over that pick. So it's a risky pick for them. But the obvious importance of the position it adderesses has huge ramifications down the line in an increasingly stellar division.
The other scenario- if Carr does'nt make it to 20, then definately if they are adament in wanting to upgrade the position for the future welfare of the franchise, then a trade down in the 1st makes some good sense in a very deep draft.
Get the QB in place beyond this season and then work on filling up your holes at SS, CB, DL, OLB, RT, TE, and maybe even a WR because of the depth of the position overall this year.
I do think there is going to be a lot of dissapointment in the draft this year of because who they pass over in order to procure their QBOF.
If Palmer can't lead them to some early big W's , we may indeed see the future sooner than we realise this next season. Palmer needs to produce results early on this year, being in the system for a year now, and having been given extra weapons and protection.