Karlos Dansby addition keys Cardinals’ linebacker corps, with Alabama’s Reuben Foster a potential draft focus.

The first round of the draft holds a great deal of intrigue for Cardinals fans, whose team holds the No. 13 selection. We break down eight key position groups, day by day, as the big day approaches.

Today: Linebackers

Karlos Dansby is an example of why free agency is the NFL’s version of a yard sale. The Bengals didn’t show much interest in keeping Dansby, yet the Cardinals called him in the early minutes of free agency. Dansby is 35 but he’s finished with more than 100 tackles in eight of the past nine years. Coach Bruce Arians calls Dansby a genetic wonder who doesn’t play like he’s 35. If that’s so, Dansby and Deone Bucannon should be a force inside. Bucannon changed the way NFL teams look at inside linebackers. He’s small but tough enough to tackle and fast enough to be a factor on the perimeter. Bucannon’s enthusiasm sometimes gets the best of him and he tends to overrun plays. Markus Golden and Chandler Jones form one of the better outside-linebacker tandems in the NFL. Jarvis Jones, a former first-round pick of the Steelers, was signed for depth. He never fulfilled expectations in Pittsburgh.

Depth chart

Starters: ILB: Karlos Dansby, Deone Bucannon; OLB: Markus Golden, Chandler Jones. Backups: ILB: Alani Fua, Zaviar Gooden, Gabe Martin, Scooby Wright; OLB: Cap Capi, Jarvis Jones, Kareem Martin. Need rating: High At least it is at inside linebacker. The Cardinals need to find Dansby’s replacement, and this draft supposedly is deep in inside linebackers. Some of the guys on the roster have promise. Alani Fua and Gabe Martin are excellent on special teams but have dealt with some injuries. Kareem Martin has flashed ability. No team ever has enough outside linebackers, especially ones with pass-rush skills, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cardinals took one in the first three rounds.

Mac’s top 5

azcentral sports NFL writer Bob McManaman lists his top five prospects among linebackers: 1. Reuben Foster, 6-0, 229, Alabama 2. Zach Cunningham, 6-3, 234, Vanderbilt 3. Haason Reddick, 6-1, 237, Temple 4. Raekwon McMillan, 6-2, 240, Ohio State 5. Jarrad Davis, 6-1, 238, Florida