Arizona Cardinals: Some breakout players for 2018
By Jim Koch
There are several players on the Arizona Cardinals’ roster who may be ready to make their mark on the National Football League
The new additions to the Arizona Cardinals have been discussed ad nauseam. Newly signed players, especially significant ones such as Sam Bradford and Justin Pugh, hog the headlines. There’s a huge spotlight cast on the free agent pool, and rightfully so.
At the other end of the spectrum are some parts of the roster who aren’t being talked about at the current time. Players who are biding their time, preparing to make themselves known around the league. They’re not household names as of yet, but could be very soon.
Cardinals fans hardly got to know T.J. Logan last year before a wrist injury cut short his rookie campaign. The running back/kick returner, 2017’s sixth-round draft pick, flashed tremendous ability in his one and only preseason appearance. It’s back to the drawing board for Logan, who’s once again set to resume the squad’s kickoff and punt-return duties.
Arizona’s third-round pick in ’17, Chad Williams, contributed just three receptions for 31 yards last season. Much more will be expected of the wide receiver this year now that both John and Jaron Brown departed as free agents. With only Larry Fitzgerald and J.J. Nelson ahead of him on the depth chart at the present time, Williams will certainly get an opportunity to shine.
Olsen Pierre performed well in ’17 (30 tackles, 5.5 sacks in a part-time role), but may be primed to do even better going forward. The defensive lineman could be given more playing time, thanks to the departures of Josh Mauro and Xavier Williams. It’s not outlandish to believe that Pierre could register double-digit sacks in 2018 with the increased time on the field.
Josh Bynes, like Pierre, is another defender who could benefit from increased playing time in the Cardinals’ new 4-3 alignment. The linebacker is now projected to be a starter, thanks to the fact that Chandler Jones and Markus Golden have been moved to the defensive line. Bynes played at a high level in limited action last season, and could potentially put together a career-year in ’18.
A.Q. Shipley is a serviceable center, but the Cards could use an upgrade at that position. Perhaps that’s what management had in mind when they plucked Max Tuerk off of the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad last November. The talented blocker could supplant Shipley, and become a revered member of the Cardinals’ offensive line by the end of 2018.
Next: Arizona Cardinals: Mocking the NFL Draft
So there they are. A contingent of Cardinals ready to take flight. The rest of the NFL may become well aware of each and every one of them by the conclusion of 2018.