Will Johnson Returns to Practice
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Arizona Cardinals rookie second-round cornerback Will Johnson (hamstring) returned to the final mandatory minicamp practice on Thursday after sitting out the previous ay with a tight hamstring, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Tuesday that the team would be "smart" with Johnson and a number of other injured players this spring. In his return to practice on Thursday, Johnson looked to be moving effortlessly while backpedaling, cutting and running. The 22-year-old defensive back missed the last six games in college for Michigan in 2024 with a foot injury and also dealt with a knee injury, but he should be fully ready for training camp this summer. The former Wolverine has injury concerns, but if he can stay healthy, he should be a starter right away in his first year in the NFL in 2025.Trey Benson Adds Weight, Explosiveness
Trey Benson said that he's added seven pounds this offseason but is also more explosive going into his sophomore campaign. "That's my mindset: Two RB1s," Benson said. The team's other RB1 is of course James Conner, who is a workhorse but is no stranger to injuries. The 22-year-old former third-rounder (66th overall) last year out of Florida State took a clear back seat to Conner in 2024, carrying the ball just 63 times for 291 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown while catching all six of his targets for 59 yards in 13 games (one start). He missed the final three games with an ankle injury. Benson has the size and speed to be a workhorse himself, but that's not going to happen unless Conner misses time with injury in 2025. He is still more of a dynasty stash than a redraft target, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 46 fantasy RB.Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Will Johnson Sitting with Hamstring Tightness
Source: Around The NFL
According to head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Will Johnson (hamstring) has not participated in the team's mandatory minicamp because of a tight hamstring. Gannon also noted that the rookie will be ready for training camp. Arizona got a steal in the Michigan alum, who was regarded as a first-round pick but saw his draft stock fall due to injuries. Johnson is expected to contribute immediately to the Cardinals' defensive backfield, but he is unfortunately already missing valuable practice time in his inaugural campaign. It's excellent news that he's expected back by training camp, insinuating that it isn't a significant issue. He'll look to aid a defensive unit that ranked thirteenth-worst with 342.5 yards allowed per game last season.Cardinals Offense Becoming More Complex
Trey McBride said that the team's offense is evolving and becoming more complex heading into the 2025 season. "The plays they're putting in, it's not as fundamental, it's not as basic. They're adding a lot of motions, a lot of sauce. A lot more complex. It's all kind of the same concepts, just different ways to get to it," McBride said. The 25-year-old former second-round pick (55th overall) in the 2022 NFL draft out of Colorado State had nothing to complain about in his third year in the league in 2024, breaking out to the tune of 111 catches on 147 targets for 1,146 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 16 starts. Despite only finding the end zone twice, McBride was the TE3 in half-PPR formats and a first-time Pro Bowler. Getting former first-round wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. more involved is likely a big emphasis for the Cardinals offense in 2025.Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
Arizona Cardinals tight end James Conner Takes Part in OTAs
James Conner (knee) took part in voluntary organized team activities on Wednesday. "I'm ready," Conner said. "We ain't doing this forever." Conner injured his right knee in Week 16 of last year and had six touches before being pulled in Week 17. The Cardinals placed him on Injured Reserve for the Week 18 regular-season finale, but the 30-year-old veteran appears to be fine now and ready to go for the start of the 2025 season this fall. He racked up a career-high 1,518 scrimmage yards on 236 carries while catching 47 of 55 targets in 2024. It was the healthiest Conner had been in his career, so fantasy managers definitely should expect some more missed time given his age and physical running style. For now, he's still being considered a workhorse back in Arizona, but more injuries could give Trey Benson more of a role eventually.Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals running back Marvin Harrison Jr. Confident in Cardinals Offense
Marvin Harrison Jr., who bulked up and added muscle to his frame this offseason, said he's confident in what the Cardinals offense can do in 2025. "I'm very confident in what we have offensively," Harrison said. "From top to bottom, the quarterback, offensive line, skill positions, I think we have everything we need to accomplish our goals." The 22-year-old fourth overall pick last year finished his rookie campaign with 62 catches, 885 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking fifth in receiving yards for a rookie. Harrison said he has spent plenty of time with quarterback Kyler Murray outside the facility as he continues to gain chemistry with him. Fantasy managers that draft him in 2025 will be hoping that his added strength will make him more of a contributor after the catch. Although his rookie year didn't live up to expectations, Harrison could easily take the next step in 2025.Source: The Associated Press - David Brandt
Arizona Cardinals second-year wide receiver Sean Murphy-Bunting to Miss 2025
Source: Ian Rapoport
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Arizona Cardinals have placed defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting (undisclosed) on the reserve/non-football injury list, effectively ending his 2025 season. The injury has not been disclosed at this time. The 27-year-old signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with Arizona last offseason following a one-year stint in Tennessee and four years with the Buccaneers after they drafted him in the second round back in 2019. Murphy-Bunting tied his career-high with three interceptions in 2024, notching 52 tackles (30 solo), five passes defensed, and two fumbles forced. It's undoubtedly a blow to Arizona, considering he'd likely have led all Cardinals corners in snaps last season had he not missed two games. As of now, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V, and rookie DB Will Johnson are the team's unofficial starters on the depth chart.Marvin Harrison Jr. Adds Muscle
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Cardinals Sign Josiah Deguara
Josiah Deguara to an undisclosed deal on Monday, according to AZCardinals.com's Zach Gershman. Deguara is heading into his sixth NFL season in 2025 after spending the 2024 campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he caught all three of his targets for just 14 yards in 15 games (no starts). The former third-round pick (94th overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 2020 NFL draft out of Cincinnati will provide tight end depth in Arizona behind starter Trey McBride and backups Tip Reiman and Elijah Higgins. Deguara won't be anywhere near the fantasy radar and will most likely spend most of his time with the Cardinals working on special teams. As a tight end, he has accumulated 50 receptions on 61 targets for 450 yards and two touchdowns in his five NFL seasons over 65 games (10 starts).Source: AZCardinals.com - Zach Gershman
The Arizona Cardinals signed free-agent tight end Jonathan Gannon Excited For Marvin Harrison Jr.'s Second Season
Marvin Harrison Jr. Gannon said that Harrison "went to work" on his weaknesses this offseason and "looks awesome out there right now." "I'm really excited to see where his game goes." The 22-year-old Ohio State product had very high expectations in his rookie year in the NFL in 2024 after being taken fourth overall by the Cardinals in last year's draft. Even though he had eight touchdowns in 17 games, his 62 receptions (116 targets) and 885 yards were considered a disappointment for fantasy managers that drafted him as a WR1 talent right away. If he can gain more chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray, a 1,000-yard season in Year 2 in 2025 is entirely possible.Source: Mad Dog Sports Radio
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that "when the staff is in place, the jump from Year 1 to Year 2, I think that's where guys make a huge jump," when referring to second-year wide receiver Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47
Source: ESPN
The Arizona Cardinals have selected Michigan defensive back Will Johnson with the 47th overall pick during Friday's draft. Wow, well this could end up being a steal for the Cardinals as Johnson fell in the draft likely due to injury concerns. Johnson was viewed as a Day 1 prospect, but being limited to seven games last season probably hurt his draft stock. When healthy, Johnson has proven to be an elite zone coverage defensive back with good size and length. He finished his college career with 57 tackles, nine interceptions, and three returned touchdowns. Johnson should be a Day 1 starter and an immediate impact player on defense in Arizona.Cardinals Select Walter Nolen At No. 16 In The NFL Draft
Source: NFL.com
The Arizona Cardinals looked to solidify their defense with their first-round pick on Thursday night, taking Walter Nolen, a defensive tackle from Ole Miss at No. 16 overall. Nolen was a first-team AP All-American after setting a career high with 14.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2024. He was a finalist for the 2024 Outland Trophy after starting all 13 games last season for the Rebels. Nolen becomes the latest part of a major pass-rush overhaul in Arizona this offseason. The team already brought in Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson as free agents and also brought back Calais Campbell to anchor the defensive line. The Cardinals' pass rush should be much improved in 2025, and they'll hope Nolen will be a big part of it for years to come.Paris Johnson Jr. Completely Healthy This Offseason
James Conner go for over 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season. The 23-year-old injured his knee in Week 15. Johnson was the sixth overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State and played his rookie season at right tackle before switching over to the left side last year. 2025 will mark the first time Johnson will play the same position in back-to-back seasons since high school. Johnson started all 17 games at right tackle in his first year in the NFL in 2023 but was limited to 14 starts due to his knee injury a year ago.Source: AZCardinals.com - Zach Gershman
Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) said he was "completely" good to go as the team started their offseason program on Tuesday. Despite injuring his knee last year, Johnson finished the 2024 season as a Pro Bowl alternate and was a key piece of Arizona's offensive line as they helped running back Greg Dortch Returning To Cardinals
Greg Dortch has agreed to a new contract with the organization. The two sides have come to terms on a one-year, $3.3 million contract for the upcoming 2025 season. The 26-year-old was a solid rotational player for the Cardinals last season. He finished with 37 receptions, 342 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in 17 games (four starts) in 2024. Right now, Dortch is penciled in as the third wideout on the roster. However, that could change with the NFL Draft coming up later this month. This doesn't mean too much in terms of fantasy football, but Dortch is a nice depth piece for this roster.Source: cardinals.com
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Calais Campbell Still Feeling "Dominant" At Age 38
Source: Nick Shook
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell told reporters last week that despite entering his 18th season in the league, he still feels dominant and can "change ball games." "I'm one of those guys that love this game so much...But I feel like I'm still good at it, still dominant, and I feel I could really help this team." The journeyman hasn't hit a double-digit sack total since 2018, but he's still been a disruptive player, logging 11.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss over the prior two seasons with 29 quarterback hits. His age hasn't affected his game, but the 38-year-old did note that shouldering a full snap load would degrade his play. The Cardinals understand this and project to use him as a rotational role player in 2025. Even in that regard, Campbell still has the propensity to be a fine asset for Arizona. Their defensive front is much improved from a season ago.