The Cardinals didn't make a big splash in free agency, preferring to add lower-priced veterans to the roster before turning their attention to the draft. The prospect pool is considered deep this year, and General Manager Steve Keim will aim to add pieces that can make an impact in 2017 and beyond. The three-day draft will kick off with the first round on Thursday, April 27, where the Cardinals have the No. 13 overall pick. Position primers will be rolled out daily as it approaches.
Draft primer:Defensive Line
Players under contract:NT Corey Peters; DT Josh Mauro; DT Rodney Gunter; DT Robert Nkemdiche; DT Frostee Rucker; DT Ed Stinson; NT Xavier Williams; DT Olsen Pierre.
Need: Medium
Images of the defensive linemen projected to get drafted next week
![Myles Garrett, Texas A&M: Projected No. 1 pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/j7f4aepijfpdk9rpfz4z.jpg)
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M: Projected No. 1 pick
![Solomon Thomas, Stanford: Projected top-5 pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/mmkc9tobdt9dyuw3xq0b.jpg)
Solomon Thomas, Stanford: Projected top-5 pick
![Jonathan Allen, Alabama: Projected top-5 pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/xzumpaepr4qx5j9d3ql9.jpg)
Jonathan Allen, Alabama: Projected top-5 pick
![Derek Barnett, Tennessee: Projected first-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/lljpgegy448n6oav9pxe.jpg)
Derek Barnett, Tennessee: Projected first-round pick
![Taco Charlton, Michigan: Projected first-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/gxblfwoq7hayrhq2xxid.jpg)
Taco Charlton, Michigan: Projected first-round pick
![Malik McDowell, Michigan State: Projected first-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yc9homayd2jg9qlpgwwy.jpg)
Malik McDowell, Michigan State: Projected first-round pick
![Charles Harris, Missouri: Projected second-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/j5z655vsmu9pb7svfisy.jpg)
Charles Harris, Missouri: Projected second-round pick
![Carl Lawson, Auburn: Projected second-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/m5tq6qdnudfwv6157ire.jpg)
Carl Lawson, Auburn: Projected second-round pick
![Chris Wormley, Michigan: Projected second-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/lohijzczsjves8xayqcf.jpg)
Chris Wormley, Michigan: Projected second-round pick
![Tarell Basham, Ohio: Projected second-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/j2vntv8halwy4dhu4bxi.jpg)
Tarell Basham, Ohio: Projected second-round pick
![Jordan Willis, Kansas State: Projected second-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/bcv6sazy1gmxv2pw3h21.jpg)
Jordan Willis, Kansas State: Projected second-round pick
![Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte: Projected second-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/xeexasnw7z1tybsyymjp.jpg)
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte: Projected second-round pick
![Derek Rivers, Youngstown State: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/iuqbudblbbpeqjnq7yed.jpg)
Derek Rivers, Youngstown State: Projected third-round pick
![DeMarcus Walker, Florida State: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wmswyertlpfzekgxlfnv.jpg)
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State: Projected third-round pick
![Caleb Brantley, Florida: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/kihlh4xfkpmbv3zpz9i0.jpg)
Caleb Brantley, Florida: Projected third-round pick
![Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/oq45oy4fh8kfmmgr7dyy.jpg)
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M: Projected third-round pick
![Montravius Adams, Auburn: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/desmqzp8tfevl2na3izf.jpg)
Montravius Adams, Auburn: Projected third-round pick
![Jaleel Johnson, Iowa: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/rfrimwfzsefwpyyrbfhi.jpg)
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa: Projected third-round pick
![Nazair Jones, North Carolina: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/czf6gsw2uzwpmhan8x5u.jpg)
Nazair Jones, North Carolina: Projected third-round pick
![Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama: Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/x23ptw63ylzfyymkuxzg.jpg)
Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama: Projected third-round pick
![Davon Godchaux, LSU:Projected third-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/r7muzzhfriwfhzlt6fyx.jpg)
Davon Godchaux, LSU:Projected third-round pick
![Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic: Projected fourth-rounder](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fgztcbq7bzxyikntebae.jpg)
Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic: Projected fourth-rounder
![Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State: Projected fourth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dg68gfw6t02mt9makdyn.jpg)
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State: Projected fourth-round pick
![Elijah Qualls, Washington: Projected fourth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/vji2o73ywy28qxlfqofk.jpg)
Elijah Qualls, Washington: Projected fourth-round pick
![Carlos Watkins, Clemson: Projected fourth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dlyoi36vrq11flugltsu.jpg)
Carlos Watkins, Clemson: Projected fourth-round pick
![Deatrich Wise, Jr., Arkansas: Projected fourth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/kagcmoxhqjtv3ay04qdz.jpg)
Deatrich Wise, Jr., Arkansas: Projected fourth-round pick
![Ryan Glasgow, Michigan: Projected fourth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ccd4gql6ztfpw5vrvqap.jpg)
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan: Projected fourth-round pick
![Tanzel Smart, Tulane: Projected fourth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/cr5epwmniu25jjfr7noa.jpg)
Tanzel Smart, Tulane: Projected fourth-round pick
![Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA: Projected fifth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/vhy9nqdu77p1gxgouxux.jpg)
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA: Projected fifth-round pick
![Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova: Projected fifth-rounder](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/decjotx6ibeiinhmvxki.jpg)
Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova: Projected fifth-rounder
![Jarron Jones, Notre Dame: Projected fifth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/r9jthh9yczombnu6okwi.jpg)
Jarron Jones, Notre Dame: Projected fifth-round pick
![DeAngelo Brown, Louisville: Projected fifth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wybgl0uazpd7a7gikb45.jpg)
DeAngelo Brown, Louisville: Projected fifth-round pick
![Dawuane Smoot, Illinois: Projected fifth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ayzbfrqd9duegr0shipb.jpg)
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois: Projected fifth-round pick
![Joe Mathis, Washington: Projected fifth-rounder pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/auynrx9bjgseadden4hr.jpg)
Joe Mathis, Washington: Projected fifth-rounder pick
![D.J. Jones, Ole Miss: Projected sixth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wgpn5xk09pzahnihfuh8.jpg)
D.J. Jones, Ole Miss: Projected sixth-round pick
![Hunter Dimick, Utah: projected sixth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/itpffgv7r0bffdnylzcm.jpg)
Hunter Dimick, Utah: projected sixth-round pick
![Jeremiah Ledbetter, Arkansas: Projected sixth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/y0adcpuudr7lccsoa1y0.jpg)
Jeremiah Ledbetter, Arkansas: Projected sixth-round pick
![Charles Walker, Oklahoma: Projected sixth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/pfgvt7axgqzbyxmdxiic.jpg)
Charles Walker, Oklahoma: Projected sixth-round pick
![Josh Carraway, TCU: Projected sixth-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/rgn0qotfke23qjhydrta.jpg)
Josh Carraway, TCU: Projected sixth-round pick
![Bryan Cox, Florida: Projected seventh-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/eyyat8ouwnxxtfls6jsh.jpg)
Bryan Cox, Florida: Projected seventh-round pick
![Treyvon Hester, Toledo: Projected seventh-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/gbwyoejj0czt9rzywnh4.jpg)
Treyvon Hester, Toledo: Projected seventh-round pick
![Keionta Davis, Chattanooga: Projected seventh-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/dr2yddipbkqdvwfxe7c1.jpg)
Keionta Davis, Chattanooga: Projected seventh-round pick
![Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, USC: Projected seventh-round pick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/hjmhv4jvtqqkhjlipio7.jpg)
Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, USC: Projected seventh-round pick
The Cardinals' situation: Star defensive line anchor Calais Campbell left for the Jaguars in free agency, and it remains to be seen how well the Cardinals absorb that loss. Coach Bruce Arians has talked highly of Gunter and Nkemdiche in recent months, and hopes they can adequately fill the void. Peters did a nice job at nose tackle last season, while Mauro, Rucker and Stinson should once again be in the rotation. Without Campbell, there are more snaps to go around, and the Cardinals need the rest of the group to step up.
The draft class: There are several highly-ranked defensive linemen, led by presumptive No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett from Texas A&M. Stanford's Solomon Thomas, Alabama's Jonathan Allen and Tennessee's Derek Barnett are also projected to go within the top 10 picks. There are a lot of different options on the first three days if the Cardinals feel like they need to beef up the group.
The conclusion: Faith has been professed in Nkemdiche and Gunter, which would seem to make it unlikely the Cardinals go after a defensive lineman in the first round, even with the loss of Campbell. However, there are several premium talents expected to go high, and if one slips maybe the value is too hard to pass up. The Cardinals seem to have more pressing needs, and they just spent their first-rounder on a defensive lineman a year ago, so a later-round pick seems more likely.