Three Arizona Cardinals Rookies to Watch in Off Season
By Scott Allen
Aug 30, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; Northern Arizona running back Zach Bauman (34) gets tackled by Arizona Wildcats cornerback Jonathan McKnight (6) during the forth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Arizona beat Northern Arizona 35-0. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals added players through free agency. They added through the draft. They also added free agents after the draft. As I look at the current roster of 90, I am pretty excited about some of the new faces that are here. Granted many of them won’t be around come September, however they are guys I can’t wait to see if they can do something to impress the Cards brass leading up to training camp and in training camp.
#1 – Zach Bauman, running back
This local product out of Northern Arizona University is impressive. I had the chance to see him in person a couple of times this past season and he runs hard and not afraid to take a hit. He is a little bit undersized and will have a hard time cracking the top four backs on the roster but I think he does have a chance to impress someone. If he doesn’t make the roster, I could see him as a practice squad player or catch on with another team. He ran for 1,059 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2013. He knows how to find the end zone. Undrafted free agent or not I think he can find a home in the NFL somewhere.
#2 – John Brown, wide receiver
This is a guy that easily could fill the shoes of a fourth or fifth receiver. The NCAA Division II product from Pittsburg State is known mostly for his punt and kickoff returns. The man is fast and has a true shot at making the final roster. He has blazing speed. He ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine. I think he is going to bring the same excitement to the return game that Patrick Peterson did.
#3 – Ed Stinson, defensive end
I know he was picked later in the draft in the fifth round but I like him. His critics will tell you he looks as if he takes plays off, doesn’t always get his arms up. However his supporters will tell you he is great against the run and is powerful. He also can get his arms extended and plays special teams. His biggest knock will be his size for an end. I say if the guy was good enough for the University of Alabama, then he’s good enough for me. I’m anxious to see if he can muster up the speed required to play end in the NFL.