Arizona Cardinals Training Camp 2024 Preview

Arizona Cardinals Training Camp 2024 Preview

As soon as Kyler Murray got injured late with a torn ACL in the 2022 season, you knew that the Cardinals were going to be bad in 2023. It worked out for them because they ended up getting Marvin Harrison Jr., who might be their best WR since Larry Fitzgerald already. While the NFC itself is a weak conference, the Cardinals do play in the most competitive division in the NFC in the NFC West. This could mean that they have a shot to make the playoffs as a wildcard team, but it will be difficult. The Cardinals ended up on 4-13 for the year. Will the changes the Cardinals made and Kyler Murray returning for the full year be enough to make the playoffs for the Cardinals? Let’s check out key position battles for the Arizona Cardinals training camp preview.

Three Position Battles To Watch

QB2: Desmond Ridder vs. Clayton Tune

The first battle in the Arizona Cardinals training camp preview is the backup QB position. The Cardinals traded away Rondale Moore for Desmond Ridder in March. While I don’t believe that was the right decision, it was a decision nonetheless. He will be going up against Clayton Tune. While Clayton Tune has only 1 official start to Desmond Ridder’s 17. We here at Vendetta are not Ridder fans . There might be solid case that Tune might be better than Ridder. With Kyler Murray as the starter, these 2 will be fighting for the role of QB2 and the other will be the emergency QB.

RB2: Trey Benson vs. Michael Carter

The next battle in the Cardinals training camp preview is the RBs. Trey Benson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2024 NFL draft in the 3rd round. Some thought he was worthy of the RB1 spot in this draft, but a general consensus was either top 3 or top 5 RB in this class. Michael Carter was cut from the Jets in November of 2023 and was quickly claimed by the Cardinals. Now the Cardinals have a solid trio of RBs for the RB committee. Although, there’s always players that get more reps and plays than the other. James Conner will get the majority of snaps for the Cardinals but there is a competitive battle between Carter and Benson. While it’s not as black and white of who gets in over this player because of their size differences and playstyles. Carter is short and will receive more out of the backfield. Benson could come in as a bruiser. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Cornerback: Max Melton vs. Elijah Jones vs. Starling Thomas V vs. Garrett Williams

Cornerback is the last position battle for the Cardinals training camp preview, and it might be the most intriguing. Two rookies and 2 other young players entering their 2nd year. This is one of the most competitive battles on the team. The rookies Max Melton and Elijah Jones will be battling for the other side of Sean Bunting-Murphy and the nickel corner spot with Starling Thomas V and Garrett Williams. With Williams and Thomas V finishing the year with the Cardinals, they have the starting role at this moment. But, neither are established enough to give them the spot uncontested unlike Bunting-Murphy. In reality, this spot is open to the other guys on the roster at CB, but these were the 4 I figured had the best shot. This will be fun to watch as one rep could make-or-break their case to be the starter.

Ready To Breakout: Michael Wilson

Michael Wilson was 3rd on the Cardinals in receiving, behind Trey McBride and Marquise Brown. With Hollywood Brown gone, and Marvin Harrison Jr. on the other side, Michael Wilson could be looking at a very big year. MHJ will command a lot of the defense to pay attention to him. After that, Trey McBride as established himself well as another receiving option after leading the Cardinals in receiving, so defenses will focus on him next. This could open up Michael Wilson up to get a lot of looks. Also, Kyle Murray looks like he’s ready for a full year, which increases the likelihood of all receiving options to have a better year instead of having Joshua Dobbs.

Rookie To Watch: Darius Robinson

It’s so easy to put Marvin Harrison Jr. here, who comes in as the WR1 and that isn’t even a controversial take. So yeah, we will ALL be watching him regardless. But, let’s look at the other first round pick for the Cardinals: Darius Robinson. Robinson is 6’5, 286 pounds, but he is a little on the slow side. He could find his way as a 3T or even a 4i. But, how he fits in the rotation of DL is the question we should be asking. The good thing is, he could be very versatile for this team on the line, which could give offenses trouble. There’s immense pressure to perform as a 1st round pick, we will see if Darius Robinson rises to the occasion.

Fantasy Sleeper: Greg Dortch

We talked about Michael Wilson ready to breakout, but fantasy sleeper? Greg Dortch. In deep fantasy leagues, Greg Dortch might be a guy that can win you a few fantasy games. Obviously, the Cardinals are comfortable putting him in the slot after trading Rondale Moore for Desmond Ridder. After being silent for the first half of the year last year, he turned it on for the 2nd half of the year. He got 23 catches for 278 yards and 2 TDs in the last 7 games of the year. He’s worth a late-round flier, especially in best-ball fantasy leagues

The question will be how much this team can jump from a 4-13 season last year? Did they do enough to make the playoffs this year? Will Kyler Murray be able to take this team to the playoffs. All questions that will be answered soon enough when the season starts.

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