Who are the early standouts?

Sports

GLENDALE — Three days of Arizona Cardinals training camp have already flown by. Blink and you might have missed something.

But as the team heads toward a day off on Saturday, who’s been turning heads early on?

A closer look at those standing out a few days into camp before the pads come on next week.

Big things ahead for Marvin Harrison Jr.

If you haven’t heard, the Year 2 NFL jump is a big one.

Through three days, it’s clear Marvin Harrison Jr. is well on his way to reaching new heights.

The wide receiver has been a consistent presence offensively as he continues to grow his bond with quarterback Kyler Murray.

There are things to clean up for Harrison and the rest of the offense, but for the most part, the second-year pro leads the way as one of Arizona’s top offensive standouts.

General manager Monti Ossenfort believes it is just the beginning for the young pass catcher after getting his feet wet as a rookie.

“I am extremely pleased with Marvin,” Ossenfort said Friday. “Marvin is everything we thought he would be. Marvin’s professionalism, maturity, it’s off the charts. … Marvin had a productive year and he’s another player we’ve talked about the Year 1 to Year 2 jump.

“We’re expecting great things from Marvin. I don’t know if there was a day this offseason where he wasn’t putting the time in, putting the work in and I really think it’s going to show this year and he’s going to just pick up where he left off last year.”

Some added offensive wrinkles to Drew Petzing’s offense

Aside from Harrison, another big standout this camp has been offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and the frequency of motioning wide receivers pre-snap.

Some of Harrison’s best catches during team drills have come on motions.

That’s not all, though, as Arizona’s offensive tempo appears to have also taken a step.

Offensive continuity was a key factor this offseason. And it’s a key reason for the added creativity from Petzing.

More of that in 2025, please.

The Jacoby Brissett show

The hope is backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, the Cardinals’ biggest offensive addition this offseason, doesn’t play a meaningful snap for Arizona in 2025.

That hasn’t stopped the veteran from raising some eyebrows this training camp with a handful of chunk plays operating with the second team.

One of his favorite targets? Wide receiver Simi Fehoko.

There’s a clear pecking order in Arizona’s wide receivers room with Harrison, Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch leading the way.

But if Fehoko can continue to serve as a downfield threat, especially when the pads come on, the door could be open for added reps.

Dalvin and DRob

Walter Nolen III’s injury news to kick off training camp was far from what Cardinals fans wanted to see or hear.

You know what’s not? Veteran Dalvin Tomlinson and second-year pro Darius Robinson setting the tone for the unit.

Robinson, who had a late pass breakup of the Murray, looks like a man ready to make up for lost time last year after a calf injury and the passing of his mother limited his rookie season to just six games.

Much like this year, Robinson turned in a training camp worthy of starter consideration before the injury derailed things.

If he can keep things rolling when the pads come on, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be a Week 1 starter.

And right there next to him should be Tomlinson.

Much like veteran Calais Campbell, it’s not hard to pick out the hefty nose tackle.

“It’s going to be a fun battle out there,” Cardinals left guard Evan Brown told the Big Red Rage on Thursday. “Big Dalv, I’ve played him a good amount of times. I know Dalv well. Big body, good nose, got a little pass rush juice to him. Excited about him.

“DRob’s looking good out there. He looked bulky in the offseason to say the least. He’s really been putting in the work. Excited to see what he’s got inside.”

The potential impact rookies

Will Johnson, Cody Simon and what they could bring to the Cardinals defense has been a main topic since they were drafted in April.

Three days into camp, both have made the most of first- and second-team reps, especially Johnson.

“He’s smart. He’s picked up everything really quickly,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday. “He did some really good things in spring and he did some really good things (Thursday).

“Production gives you the chance to get more reps. He’s competing for his role right now.”

Mack the MIKE

Rounding out the early standouts is first-time MIKE backer Mack Wilson Sr.

While he continues to nail down a new role that comes with a ton of mental gymnastics, the linebacker continues to fly around the field.




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