Cardinals HC says first-round pick '1,000 percent' has chance to start

There's no question that the first of the Cardinals' 2024 first-round picks — wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. — will be a Week 1 starter, but will their second be as well?

After Arizona used the No. 4 overall pick on Harrison Jr., the team then addressed the other side of the ball, using the No. 27 overall pick on edge-rusher Darius Robinson.

The 22-year-old registered just one tackle and quarterback pressure in his preseason debut on Saturday against the New Orleans Saints, but he played just 10 snaps.

That's why head coach Jonathan Gannon says Robinson "1,000 percent" still has a shot at earning a starting spot on the defensive line before the start of the season.

"I expect him to play well, and he didn't play a ton," Gannon said , via the team's website. "For what he's done in training camp and in that game, I think he's right where he needs to be to be a person that affects winning in a positive way for us on defense."

Robinson was a force to be reckoned with during his final two years at Missouri when he recorded 78 tackles (19.5 for a loss), 12 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. And now he's more confident than ever after bringing down five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara in his first action.

"I'm ready to bring it each and every day, but it kind of sinks in," Robinson said. "The first tackle was Alvin Kamara, so it was like, 'OK, I'm here, ready and locked and loaded.'"

Still, Robinson must do more than make one tackle to earn a Week 1 starting job. He'll have two more opportunities against the Indianapolis Colts (Aug. 17) and Denver Broncos (Aug. 25) to do just that.

If Robinson stacks a couple of good performances, he'll be a starter in no time. Gannon says when that time will come is completely up to Robinson.

"The sky is the limit for the guy," Gannon added. "We're pushing him, and he pushes himself."