The Crows endured a promising 2021 campaign with seven wins, which was a big improvement from their wooden spoon campaign that yielded just three wins 12-months prior.

As Adelaide are still in a rebuilding phase, it is important that the club stock up on young talent as they look to continue their steady rise up the ladder.

However, with only four picks in November's National Draft, it is crucial that the club nail their picks in order to bring the best talent available back to West Lakes for the upcoming pre-season.

Draft hand

Picks: 4, 33, 75, 80
Points: 2597

The Crows hold a high draft pick with pick 4 but only have one other selection in the first two rounds due to the acquisition of skilled defender Jordan Dawson from the Swans.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Jordan Dawson of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal during the round 17 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium on July 11, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Crows initially held pick 23 but engaged in a series of pick swaps to land Dawson and future picks, which pushed their second-round selection back to pick 33.

The addition of Dawson boosts Adelaide's defensive and wing stocks, but they'll have to draft with precision to ensure their rebuild continues in the right direction.

List needs

The Crows have a solid draft history in the past few years drafting Riley Thilthrope, Harry Schoenberg, Chayce Jones, Ned McHenry and Lachlan Sholl, who have all shown great promise in the early parts of their careers.

They will look to continue that form in this year's draft, especially with pick four.

An inside midfielder: Adelaide currently holds the ability to field a solid engine room each week with the likes of Rory Sloane, Rory Laird and Ben Keays at Matthew Nicks' disposal.

Still, with Rory Sloane turning 32 next year and this year's draft class being dominated by elite midfield talents, it is likely that the Crows will select an on-baller with their top pick.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Rory Sloane of the Crows leaves the field with a suspected eye injury during the round 21 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Youngsters in Harry Schoenberg, Ned McHenry and Chayce Jones have all moved into the centre at times throughout 2021, and an extra-talented midfielder will only add to their up and coming collective.

A key forward:ย With uncertainty surrounding key forward Taylor Walker's future at West lakes and his career nearing an end, it is important that the club draft a tall forward that can complement young talent Riley Thilthorpe inside the forward 50.

Current Crows tall Elliott Himmelberg found himself in and out of the side too often, and other tall Billy Frampton saw a move down back in the latter part of the season, so another key forward behind Darcy Fogarty would bode well for Matthew Nicks' men.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 15: New Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks poses outside the Crows Headquarters after he spoke to the media during an Adelaide Crows AFL press conference at Wests Lakes on October 15, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. The Crows today announced Matthew Nicks as their head coach for the next three years. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

A key defender:ย Jordon Butts enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, competing well with some of the best key forwards in the competition.

The delisting and retirement of key defender Daniel Talia opens up a spot in defence alongside Butts and the opportunity is there for the taking.

Another tall key defender would allow Tom Doedee to move off and become more of an intercept defender and would only improve the back six heading into next season.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: Tom Doedee of the Crows during the 2019 JLT Community Series AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Adelaide Crows at UNSW Canberra Oval on March 08, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Ideal recruits

Finn Callaghan: The Victorian is a talented and silky left-footer from the Sandringham Dragons who has already drawn comparisons to Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli. Callaghan is also arguably the best midfielder in the draft class alongside Jason Horne-Francis and Nick Daicos.

RELATED: Draft Profile: Finn Callaghan

With this in mind, the Crows would need to trade up to land Callaghan's services as the Giants are poised to select the talented midfielder at pick two.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Finn Callaghan in action during the NAB AFL Academy training session at Goschโ€™s Paddock on April 22, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Ben Hobbs:ย With father-son selections likely to push the Crows' first pick back to pick 6, Hobbs may be the best realistic option for the Crows.

SEE ALSO: Draft Profile: Ben Hobbs

Hobbs is a tough midfielder and who knows how to find the footy on the inside and out, be selected in the top 10. The North Ballarat Rebel could mold into a Rory Sloane type of player and would be the perfect protege as Sloane enters the latter part of his career.

Vic Country player Ben Hobbs fronting the media at Trevor Barker Oval, 2021 (Photo: Mitchell Keating - Zero Digital Media)

Rhett Bazzo: As the Crows' next pick lands at 33 and with their first pick likely to be spent on a midfielder, the Crows should go for either a key forward or defender.

Should this be the case, Western Australian product Rhett Bazzo could be the solution.

Bazzo stands at 195cm and boasts strong marking skills. Having started off as a forward before turning into a key defender at the Under 19 Championships, Bazzo could help out Butts in the backline or Thilthorpe in the forward line.

Given he is expected to go around the 30 mark, the Crows have the potential to land him.