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Shilique Calhoun And 4 Other Prospects Arizona Cardinals Should Target In 2016 NFL Draft

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The Arizona Cardinals will head into the offseason on a particular low, after being blown out by the Carolina Panthers in the NFC title game. The Cardinals will go into the 2016 season with a very talented team, but here are five players they should target in the 2016 NFL Draft.

5. LSU FS Jalen Mills

LSU FS Jalen Mills Sean Gardner Getty Images
Mills' fractured fibula in preseason practice delayed the start to his 2015, but he remains well thought of as a draft prospect as a four-year starter with experience at safety and cornerback. The Cardinals can use a talent upgrade at safety, so Mills could be someone they covet.

Mills' fractured fibula in preseason practice delayed the start to his 2015, but he remains well thought of as a draft prospect as a four-year starter with experience at safety and cornerback. The Cardinals can use a talent upgrade at safety, so Mills could be someone they covet.

4. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott

Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott Kevin C. Cox Getty Images
Carson Palmer is 36 years old, so even leaving his terrible NFC Championship Game performance aside the Cardinals need to find a legitimate quarterback of the future. Prescott is a great dual threat and has progressed as a passer over the last two seasons, with no questions about his level of competition. Working under Bruce Arians with Palmer in place as the starter for at least one more season, Arizona would be an ideal situation for Prescott.

Carson Palmer is 36 years old, so even leaving his terrible NFC Championship Game performance aside the Cardinals need to find a legitimate quarterback of the future. Prescott is a great dual threat and has progressed as a passer over the last two seasons, with no questions about his level of competition. Working under Bruce Arians with Palmer in place as the starter for at least one more season, Arizona would be an ideal situation for Prescott.

3. USC C Max Tuerk

USC C Max Tuerk Christian Petersen Getty Images
Tuerk missed a big chunk of last season with a knee injury, but he was a considered a top draft prospect at center heading into the season. Add great versatility, with college starts at left tackle, left guard and right tackle as well as center, and Tuerk can definitely help Arizona's offensive line right away.

Tuerk missed a big chunk of last season with a knee injury, but he was a considered a top draft prospect at center heading into the season. Add great versatility, with college starts at left tackle, left guard and right tackle as well as center, and Tuerk can definitely help Arizona's offensive line right away.

2. Eastern Kentucky OLB/DE Noah Spence

Eastern Kentucky OLB/DE Noah Spence Jamie Sabau Getty Images
Spence (an Ohio State transfer) is a popular pick for Arizona in mock drafts right now with the 30th overall pick, since they have a major need for an edge rusher. I like the next player on this list a bit more, but Spence is a fit and a viable draft target for the Cardinals.

Spence (an Ohio State transfer) is a popular pick for Arizona in mock drafts right now with the 30th overall pick, since they have a major need for an edge rusher. I like the next player on this list a bit more, but Spence is a fit and a viable draft target for the Cardinals.

1. Michigan State DE/OLB Shilique Calhoun

Michigan State DE/OLB Shilique Calhoun Andy Lyons Getty Images
At 6-foot-5, 252 pounds, Calhoun is a defensive end/outside linebacker tweener and having to miss the Senior Bowl with a wrist injury hurts him in the big picture. But the Cardinals need a dynamic edge rusher, and Calhoun looks like a potential draft steal if he falls more than his talent suggests he should.

At 6-foot-5, 252 pounds, Calhoun is a defensive end/outside linebacker tweener and having to miss the Senior Bowl with a wrist injury hurts him in the big picture. But the Cardinals need a dynamic edge rusher, and Calhoun looks like a potential draft steal if he falls more than his talent suggests he should.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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