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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Oz from Ft. Lauderdale writes: Mike, I have been reading your past few mailbags and not seen much Cardinals representation. I am guessing many of us are still hung over from the Super Bowl and not as willing as to get amped up about the offseason as we have in the past.

Couple questions:

1) What do you see the Cardinals doing with regards to the FS position on draft day? Most Cardinal fans love Rolle and everybody loves Wilson but both guys are best suited by playing near the box and around the ball.

Do you see the Cardinals making a FS with coverage ability for the nickel/dime packages in rounds 1-3 a priority? Have you gotten the sense the Cardinals really want to solidify the coverage in the secondary with how we lost the final game? I am sure that was part of the reasoning for adding McFadden but what about over the top?

2) Whisenhunt hasn't given much of an inclination on what he wants to do in the draft. We signed our vet OLB's, brought in more TE's then we can handle, and Wiz has stated he thinks Lyle Sendelien can be a "very good" player in this league. It would seem by process of elimination the highest priority would be RB and maybe a young OLB/ILB.

After looking at a bunch of mocks, many have the Cardinals getting one of the top 2 backs (Moreno, Wells) but I think its more likely going to be Donald Brown (whom I think is a stud -- reminds me of Robert Smith) as I can't see just one or no RBs being taken in the first 30 picks.

What teams do you see as most likely candidates to draft a Round 1 back? My informal list is NO, Hou, NYJ, Tampa, Philly, and Indy? Anyone you would add and of those listed who do you see most likely going in that direction?

Mike Sando: Did I forget the Cardinals in the most recent mailbag? Hmmm. Let's rectify the situation.

Drafting a nickel back in the first three rounds wouldn't qualify as the most efficient use of an early draft choice, in my view. As nicely as Rolle has adapted to free safety, he should really be a Pro Bowl cover cornerback at this point, given where he was drafted. Converting him to safety turned out to be a solid fallback option. He should be strong in coverage. Adding Bryant McFadden could give the Cardinals additional coverage options.

After the McFadden move, I don't think the Cardinals need to use an early draft choice to address the secondary. They went into the 2008 draft hoping to find either a cornerback or running back early. They got the cornerback. Now, they need the running back. Like you, I also question whether the top two running backs will be available when Arizona picks at No. 31. But they'll presumably look to take one in the early rounds.

As for which teams will target running backs early, I would also be speculating. Your list is probably as good as most.

Ken Whisenhunt's comments about Lyle Sendlein surprised me some, but they reflect confidence in Russ Grimm's ability to shape an effective line. I thought Sendlein had some problems in one-on-one matchups last season. That was just my impression from watching every offensive snap last season. Of course, Whisenhunt and Grimm know a lot more about offensive line play than we do. That said, they could always improve the depth.

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Dave from Ukiah writes: Mr Sando, The NFL draft is a big day at my house. My wife and kid both know to leave me alone until my eyes are spinning in different directions and the blood is flowing from my ears from listening to Mel Kiper and Boomer offer their opinion on every move made that day (I truly love the draft).

Where will you be on draft day and what can we expect from the blog that day. Are you going to be keeping us updated on who the West teams are gobbling up or will you be in front of your t.v. eating Cheetos waiting for Mel to tell us if the 5-2 stack defense will ever make a comeback?!?!?!?!?

Mike Sando: Chee-tos? Did someone say Chee-tos? Hopefully I can offer something of greater nutritional value to the blog on draft day. I'll be feeding the blog all day. I absolutely love the draft as well. It's the buildup I could do without given that none of us really knows how these players will pan out. I like to see how teams' plans come together on draft day.

My life as an NFL blogger was born on Draft Day 2005. I was covering the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune when Mark Briggs, then the online editor there, asked me if I would consider leading a draft-day blog. I agreed. We launched Seahawks Insider without even giving anyone notice. The traffic exceeded all expectations, so Mark asked if I wanted to keep it going after the draft. I thought it sounded like a good idea. Here we are.

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Greg from Anchorage writes: First time to respond and I have several questings I have not seen: Draft values: How much is a future year pick discounted? For example what is the 35th pick next year with, vs 35th in the current year? If someone wwew to package their 12th pick this year and their first-round choice next year, what would the next year pick be worth in a trade this year?

I think the Cory Redding contract increases the chance that Seattle would take DT Raji, especially if they trade down a couple of picks. No one seems to think DT is very likely after the trade for Redding, but it is an opportuinity to get an impact player at a position of need. Plus both coach and GM have defense leaning. Other than getting Redding they haven't done much to help the defense except help the offense keep them off the field.

Could Walter Jones pay at a pro bowl level at guard? I think there are tackles that have moved inside toward the end of their careers and excelled (KC?). People sound like taking a tackle means the pick would have to sit. I could see Walter moving inside to mentor and switching outside if the rookie was struggling with an opponent. Thanks for your good work.

Mike Sando: Great question on what the future picks are worth. We could find out by consulting past drafts. If someone knows off the top of their head, please share. I don't have anything quantifiable at my fingertips as I type.

On the DL front, what about Colin Cole? The Seahawks also added him to the rotation at defensive tackle. They already have Brandon Mebane, a sure starter, and they like Red Bryant. Craig Terrill is still an option. And then there is Redding, who can rush from the inside on passing downs. Reducing Redding's deal to $2 million does diminish what Seattle has invested at that position, but I'd still be a little surprised if they took Raji there. You'll get full credit if they do. I'll remember this mailbag and link back to it.

On Walter Jones, I think he's too valuable at tackle to consider a position change, which would be beneath him, in my view. But it's not something I've discussed with the staff, so take that as my hopefully educa
ted but not necessarily informed opinion.

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Gabe from St. Louis writes: Everyone is assuming, and rightfully so, that Matthew Stafford will be chosen as the first pick of the draft. After hearing many experts' opinion on ESPN.com, I have since changed my mind. He points to a bust and his completion percentage in college is a warning sign. This affects me, because I am a Rams' fan and if not Stafford, they will go after my choice, Jason Smith of Baylor.

Say Smith is selected first overall, who do the Rams pick? They won't pick Stafford, because of the money that would be invested in TWO QBs. I want Micheal Crabtree, but I am under the belief the Rams will be OK if they don't have top flight receivers, especially considering they won't make playoffs in 2009.

I really like Aaron Curry instead. What is your take on the "what if" situation?

Mike Sando: They could always draft the other tackle, like Eugene Monroe. The Crabtree option would be an intriguing one for the Rams. While with the Giants, Steve Spagnuolo saw what Plaxico Burress brought to a run-oriented offense. Burress was the "X" factor.

Spagnuolo probably feels good about what Jason Brown, Mike Karney and Steven Jackson are going to do for the running game. But does he view Donnie Avery as an elite weapon on the outside? If not, would Crabtree be the one to keep defenses honest?

In the end, how long can the Rams ignore their obvious need for another offensive tackle?

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Arthur from New Orleans writes: If Matt Stafford falls, don't expect the Niners to take him over the issue of he wouldn't talk to the team shrink??

Mike Sando: I'm going to quote Matt Maiocco on this one because I think he nails the answer pretty well when he writes, "By the way, the worst rumor I've heard is that the 49ers have taken Matthew Stafford off their draft board. The whole thing about the team psychologist interviewing Stafford at the combine is simply not a big deal. I think Stafford tried to crack a joke about the situation in a recent issue of Sports Illustrated, and the quote has taken on a life of its own."