Arizona Cardinals: Top 5 stories of first few days of training camp

Aug 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) makes a catch during training camp at University of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The rookies

I’ve already mentioned J.J. Nelson but there are other rookies who have been impressive so far as well. Nose tackle Xavier Williams, linebacker Markus Golden, and running back Paul Lasike have all looked good the first few days.  Lasike got a lot of reps in practice on Monday thanks to the absence of Ellington and Johnson in the backfield.

Quarterback Philip Sims looked decent early on in practice and could give second-year guys Logan Thomas and Chandler Harnish a run for the third quarterback spot on the roster.  Arians said that he hasn’t ever had five quarterbacks in camp at once before so it is a good bet that a quarterback will be amongst the first cut in camp.

Receiver Jaxon Shipley made a couple of nice plays on Monday but he has a steep uphill climb to make the roster in Arizona.  Also rookie cornerback C.J. Roberts was in on a few plays as well on Monday.  Also for future purposes, be on the lookout for cornerback Cariel Brooks and linebacker Gabe Martin.  They both could turn heads.