1 – To me, training camp is not about the established players. It’s obviously different for the coaches, but I think it is about positive developments for the fans. Budda Baker will be good. Calais Campbell will be good. Paris Johnson will be good. Tre McBride will be good. Etc. I am looking for things that can improve the team.
2 – I really hope that Marvin Harrison and Will Johnson line up against each other often. That will tell us something about each one.
3 – Isaiah Adams might be the most interesting player to me in camp. If he can take a step up, that would be huge.
4 – Reports are that they wanted either Walter Nolen or Mykel Williams in the first round, and I would guess that Darius Robinson’s primary position would be dictated by the choice. If they drafted an edge (Williams), Robinson would primarily play down lineman. If they drafted the DT (Nolen), Robinson would mostly play on the edge. Also, when Robinson went from fringe second round pick to first round pick during his senior season at Missouri, it was in an edge rush-role. Not always in a wide 9 (like the Cards use), but at least outside the tackle’s shoulder.
Thus, the choice of Nolen might have some very positive repercussions in how they deploy Robinson. If so, I think it would be noticeable in camp.
5 – I hope they will add a WR, and I think there are good options out there.
Amari Cooper was with Drew Petzing in Cleveland, where he also had Jacoby Brissett as his quarterback, so Ossenfort have all the information he could ask for. One potential issue could be if Cooper wants to be #3 receiver behind Harrison and McBride?
Gabe Davis was released by Jacksonville after the draft, and it is very surprising to me that the Cardinals have not at least brough him in for a visit. He seems to fit everything they look for in a WR, including being one of the better blocking WR’s in the NFL. And he would almost certainly be fine with not being the primary WR.
Fun speculation: Consider Terry McLaurin. He is upset with the Commanders, so even though he has not demanded a trade yet, that can happen quickly. I doubt that Ossenfort would trade for a 29-year-old that wants a massive contract extension, but after all, McLaurin did play at the required school (Ohio State), and WR coach Drew Terrell coached him for three years in Washington. One good thing about trading for someone is that it doesn’t matter if they would be satisfied being a #3. They don’t have a choice, unless they are willing to lose millions. Again, I don’t believe in this idea myself, but McLaurin would take the offense to another level.
6 – I was on record last year before the 2024 draft saying that I had liked Elijah Jones for months but didn’t think he was a good fit. Well, Gannon is a DB-oracle, so he obviously has a plan with Jones. That intrigues me quite a lot.
7 – Lord knows that I am not a big fan of Pro Football Focus, but their tracking of pass-rush win rate seems reliable to me (it’s only seeing if the QB drops back and then see if a guy wins his one-on-one battle within 2.5 seconds. That doesn’t seem very difficult). During the time that Baron Browning played for the Cardinals (so week 10-18) he ranked 6th among edge defenders in the NFL in pass-rush win rate. He might stand out in a very deep group of edge rushers.
8 – I don’t expect Justin Frye to be on the same level as Klayton Adams, but I do look forward to seeing if he can develop the young players in the o-line room. Take a player like Josh Fryar. I think it is obvious that Frye was the one advocating strongly for Ossenfort to bring him in. Jon Gaines, Christian Jones, Hayden Connor. We obviously won’t find out for sure before the games start, but it would be great if Frye could turn one or more of them into starters.
9 – Most years there are realistically questions about five or six spots on the 53, but not this year. This year there are roster spots up for grabs everywhere.
I would not be surprised if Ossenfort could sell two, three or maybe even four players at the end of camp.
10 – DT Elijah Simmons should never have been an UDFA. There is no way to argue otherwise. The competition at defensive line is massive, but Simmons is the only one with the playing style of Dalvin Tomlinson. He certainly has a shot.
11 – I still have hopes for B.J. Ojulari. He had really, really good moments in the second half of the 2023-season. If his body and athleticism are back to that shape, there’s no reason that he cannot be developed into a strong contributor.
12 – Sure, I also remember Brandon Keith, Elie Bouka, Stephen Williams, and other no-name players that before- and during camp had been talked up to be new All Pro’s, but still, I do find it interesting to follow WR Xavier Weaver. Actually, Weaver did show some good things in a couple of games late last season, and if he more consistently can bring the speed element, that could be huge.
13 – Look out for Denzel Burke. Yeah, I know that he was my draft crush, but even if I look at it as objectively as I can, there is absolutely a chance that he rises up the depth chart before the season starts.
14 – Before the draft, several analysts mentioned that if you don’t get Shemar Stewart in the first round, you should target Jordan Burch later. Point being that they have many similar traits and movement skills. Many fans complained when they selected Burch, but let’s see if that is still the case in a month.
15 – It might not be the sexiest pick for most important camp-battle, but I am very interested in who wins of Matt Prater and Chad Ryland.
2 – I really hope that Marvin Harrison and Will Johnson line up against each other often. That will tell us something about each one.
3 – Isaiah Adams might be the most interesting player to me in camp. If he can take a step up, that would be huge.
4 – Reports are that they wanted either Walter Nolen or Mykel Williams in the first round, and I would guess that Darius Robinson’s primary position would be dictated by the choice. If they drafted an edge (Williams), Robinson would primarily play down lineman. If they drafted the DT (Nolen), Robinson would mostly play on the edge. Also, when Robinson went from fringe second round pick to first round pick during his senior season at Missouri, it was in an edge rush-role. Not always in a wide 9 (like the Cards use), but at least outside the tackle’s shoulder.
Thus, the choice of Nolen might have some very positive repercussions in how they deploy Robinson. If so, I think it would be noticeable in camp.
5 – I hope they will add a WR, and I think there are good options out there.
Amari Cooper was with Drew Petzing in Cleveland, where he also had Jacoby Brissett as his quarterback, so Ossenfort have all the information he could ask for. One potential issue could be if Cooper wants to be #3 receiver behind Harrison and McBride?
Gabe Davis was released by Jacksonville after the draft, and it is very surprising to me that the Cardinals have not at least brough him in for a visit. He seems to fit everything they look for in a WR, including being one of the better blocking WR’s in the NFL. And he would almost certainly be fine with not being the primary WR.
Fun speculation: Consider Terry McLaurin. He is upset with the Commanders, so even though he has not demanded a trade yet, that can happen quickly. I doubt that Ossenfort would trade for a 29-year-old that wants a massive contract extension, but after all, McLaurin did play at the required school (Ohio State), and WR coach Drew Terrell coached him for three years in Washington. One good thing about trading for someone is that it doesn’t matter if they would be satisfied being a #3. They don’t have a choice, unless they are willing to lose millions. Again, I don’t believe in this idea myself, but McLaurin would take the offense to another level.
6 – I was on record last year before the 2024 draft saying that I had liked Elijah Jones for months but didn’t think he was a good fit. Well, Gannon is a DB-oracle, so he obviously has a plan with Jones. That intrigues me quite a lot.
7 – Lord knows that I am not a big fan of Pro Football Focus, but their tracking of pass-rush win rate seems reliable to me (it’s only seeing if the QB drops back and then see if a guy wins his one-on-one battle within 2.5 seconds. That doesn’t seem very difficult). During the time that Baron Browning played for the Cardinals (so week 10-18) he ranked 6th among edge defenders in the NFL in pass-rush win rate. He might stand out in a very deep group of edge rushers.
8 – I don’t expect Justin Frye to be on the same level as Klayton Adams, but I do look forward to seeing if he can develop the young players in the o-line room. Take a player like Josh Fryar. I think it is obvious that Frye was the one advocating strongly for Ossenfort to bring him in. Jon Gaines, Christian Jones, Hayden Connor. We obviously won’t find out for sure before the games start, but it would be great if Frye could turn one or more of them into starters.
9 – Most years there are realistically questions about five or six spots on the 53, but not this year. This year there are roster spots up for grabs everywhere.
I would not be surprised if Ossenfort could sell two, three or maybe even four players at the end of camp.
10 – DT Elijah Simmons should never have been an UDFA. There is no way to argue otherwise. The competition at defensive line is massive, but Simmons is the only one with the playing style of Dalvin Tomlinson. He certainly has a shot.
11 – I still have hopes for B.J. Ojulari. He had really, really good moments in the second half of the 2023-season. If his body and athleticism are back to that shape, there’s no reason that he cannot be developed into a strong contributor.
12 – Sure, I also remember Brandon Keith, Elie Bouka, Stephen Williams, and other no-name players that before- and during camp had been talked up to be new All Pro’s, but still, I do find it interesting to follow WR Xavier Weaver. Actually, Weaver did show some good things in a couple of games late last season, and if he more consistently can bring the speed element, that could be huge.
13 – Look out for Denzel Burke. Yeah, I know that he was my draft crush, but even if I look at it as objectively as I can, there is absolutely a chance that he rises up the depth chart before the season starts.
14 – Before the draft, several analysts mentioned that if you don’t get Shemar Stewart in the first round, you should target Jordan Burch later. Point being that they have many similar traits and movement skills. Many fans complained when they selected Burch, but let’s see if that is still the case in a month.
15 – It might not be the sexiest pick for most important camp-battle, but I am very interested in who wins of Matt Prater and Chad Ryland.
