The Arizona Cardinals reported for training camp on Tuesday and will have their first work on Wednesday. The first practice fans can attend is on Thursday at State Farm Stadium.
Camp is when players begin to shine or disappoint. This year, we have our eyes on a few players as camp starts to see how they do in particular.
Who are those players and why?
Arizona Cardinals players to watch in training camp
The team’s top draft picks – WR Marvin Harrison Jr., DL Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton
These three draft picks are the ones expected to have prominent roles as rookies. Will Harrison look as good as advertised as his teammates and coaches have said? How will Robinson look against his teammates? What sort of reps will Melton get?
QB Desmond Ridder
The Cardinals went out and traded for Ridder presumably to be Kyler Murray’s backup. Having started 17 games in two seasons, he has experience. But it will be important to see how comfortable and capable he looks in practices and the preseason.
LT Paris Johnson
Johnson played a solid rookie year of right tackle and now has been given the starting job at left tackle. We will see how he looks against his teammates on that side and whether the transition is smooth.
LB Mack Wilson
Wilson was acquired to replace Josh Woods in the lineup next to Kyzir White. He hasn’t had a full-time role on defense since he was a rookie but the team loves the violence with which he plays. He has versatility and athleticism. What we need to see is how he looks in the middle of the field alongside White.
OT Christian Jones
Jones, drafted in the fifth round, will have a tough battle to even make the roster. there are a couple of things that seem to be in conflict. He has good athletic markers overall but one — the three-cone — is a red flag. It will be interesting to see whether that ends up being an obstacle to being successful, or whether that mark is an anomaly for his performance.
LBs BJ Ojulari and Zaven Collins
The Cardinals are counting on Ojulari to be a productive pass rusher. Collins needs to show disruption. He does many things well at the position but needs to add consistent pressure on the quarterback.
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