Two Rookies Who Have Impressed During Cardinals Camp

These two rookies have impressed the Arizona Cardinals.

Training camp is in full swing for the Arizona Cardinals, and for all players the adjustment to the new regime and way of practice has been notable. 

For veterans - even with a fresh coaching staff and front office - they understand what's required to push through an NFL training camp.

For rookies, camp can be quite the daunting task. Adjusting to both the mental and physical aspect of the professional level - all while looking to prove their worth to coaches and teammates. 

During their short stay at State Farm Stadium, the Cardinals have seen two rookies impress thus far: WR Michael Wilson and OT Paris Johnson. 

QB Kyler Murray discussed both when he met with the media last week: 

"I love what Paris and Michael are doing," Murray said. 

"Michael comes from Stanford. Smart kid. Mike is a good kid. He's a great dude. I remember before we even drafted him, just watching pre-draft highlights of guys coming out - receivers in particular. I saw what he did at the Senior Bowl. I didn't know we were gonna draft him. It was just me thinking, talking to the homies. I liked his releases, I liked how he moved. His one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl looked good, then we ended up drafting him - I was already fond of him before we even drafted him."

Wilson was drafted with the 94th pick and displayed some strong tape with the Cardinal but battled injury throughout most of his collegiate career. If he manages to stay healthy, the Cardinals could very well have gotten a steal for where they drafted him.

"And then getting to see Paris, Paris has been a five-star since high school. Always been great at football. In my mind, usually if you're always good at football, you're going to continue to be good if you do the right things and you work hard and you stay true to yourself," Murray said. 

"I see that from Paris. A lot of young guys come in and are kind of wide-eyed. One thing I told him is just be you. Obviously you got to have these expectations and stuff like that, but don't come in here like you're not who you are. So it's been good and I've seen the confidence. He's got a lot of confidence. He knows who he is. He'll grow each and every week and get better. So it's been exciting."

The Cardinals moved back from No. 3 to No. 12 in the first round, but ultimately jumped to No. 6 to take Johnson, who was considered to be the best offensive tackle prospect in the draft. 

QB Colt McCoy says Johnson has been a strong presence in meetings.

"I think Paris has been great. He's been awesome in meetings. I'll be the first to tell you it's hard to evaluate anybody until we put the pads on, but he's been fantastic in meetings, great in communication, certainly acts and looks like he fits right in, for sure," McCoy said.

Wilson has indeed stayed healthy, and his talent has been showcased on more than one occasion. He's gotten plenty of reps with the first team throughout training camp, and though Marquise Brown has a firm grip on the WR1 role, Wilson is making a strong push for the WR2 spot.

"You're going to earn your reps on this team and I think he's done a really nice job in the spring, so [we're] excited to see him out there. I think he's really working hard and he's done a great job," said offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who also mentioned the next step in Wilson's development would be playing against press coverage at the NFL level.

"I think the big part is [playing] in the game. Really we're going to start to see playing it versus press because that's one of the few things you probably don't see as much in college. Being outside the numbers, being up against guys that can physically get up and put their hands on you and are willing to do it time and time and time again," said Petzing. 

"I think he spent a lot of time in the spring - even though they couldn't do it full speed in practice - of watching tape and working that technique and dealing with releases. The second part of that will be the top of the route, because generally you're not going to create as much separation as you did before. The guys that are covering you are just a little bit better. 

"I think he's embraced that challenge. I think he's leaned on guys around the league, like just talking to them. He's the type of guy that watches other players, so he's always asking me 'Hey, how did this guy do that? I saw this route, how did he come out of that one? What was he thinking?' He's a guy that takes in so much information and does such a good job of processing it. I think it's really helped him."

Other rookies such as Kei'Trel Clark have managed to get time on the field, and perhaps when the likes of BJ Ojulari and Garrett Williams finally get suited up they'll impress too.

However, it's clear who is shining early in camp here in the desert.