Arizona Cardinals enter last week of OTA’s

The Arizona Cardinals begin round three of OTA’s on Tuesday

The Arizona Cardinals are getting closer to their last time off before training camp starts at the end of July.  On Tuesday, the Cardinals will begin the last four days of OTA’s.

After Tuesday, the Cardinals will have a three-day mini-camp next week June 7th-9th before breaking until training camp in Glendale.

So far we have learned a few things about how this team is shaping up.  First, we know safety Tyrann Mathieu is going to be one handsomely paid player.  He is close to a new deal.  He also is still on pace to return sometime in camp, although he has said he has learned not to rush things after the experience of his first torn ACL injury.

We are going to see competition at the center position between A.Q. Shipley and rookie Evan Boehm out of Missouri.  Don’t be surprised if Boehm becomes the starter.

There is also the competition for the third quarterback.  It should be a fun one to watch between Matt Barkley and undrafted free agent Jake Coker out of Alabama.  Some think Coker has a chance to overtake Barkley.

Punter Drew Butler will have camp competition.  Rookie Garrett Swanson out of Fresno State will give Butler a push.

Then there are the other rookies who could shine.  Guys like safety Marqui Christian, cornerback Harlan Miller, and of course defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, who is going to be out to prove to the other 28 teams who picked ahead of him that they made the wrong choice.

Unfortunately as talented as some of the secondary is very talented, it is also likely the area with the least depth on the roster.  The corner position is still unresolved as far as the second starter next to Peterson.

The Cardinals have new faces at safety.  While most will provide shining moments there is still a lot of unknown.  This will be one area to watch as we progress through the summer.