The Arizona Cardinals are entering their next phase of training camp and even have the Hall of Fame Game to look forward to on Thursday.
While preseason games will give them more clarity surrounding their rookies against other NFL competition (and a better defense than the Cardinals), we've already had a large enough sample size to get an idea of how each rookie's transition to the next level is going.
Arizona Cardinals training camp rookie updates
Jeremiyah Love, RB
It's difficult to boost your training camp stock when entering it with lofty expectations associated with being the No. 3 overall pick. To Love's credit, he hasn't done anything that should make Cardinals fans concerned he's not the real deal. Between shiftiness, speed, and pass-catching ability, everything that made him a coveted prospect has translated.
There are still growing pains, as is the case with any rookie. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett even said he was "definitely a rookie" when asked how Love was performing in camp.
Then again, Jacoby Brissett was impressed with how Love has fared so far, adding that he sees why the Cardinals are paying him $50 million.
With this pick, the question is always going to be whether it was worth the positional value in what is now a crowded running back room. But as far as the player evaluation itself, Love has looked every bit as advertised.
Stock: Flat
Chase Bisontis, G
Bisontis isn't winning the battle at right guard if Arizona's initial depth chart is any indication. Still, he's been receiving extended runs with the first-team as training camp has progressed. Besides, that should say more about how Isaiah Adams has managed to keep his starting spot at right guard up until this point.
Bisontis even made Louis Riddick's annual list of favorite non-first-round prospects for each team. This is one we could look back on and be surprised Bisontis wasn't a first-round selection. The Cardinals got a good one here.
Stock: Up
Carson Beck, QB
It's been difficult to properly evaluate Beck as he's been a mixed bag, which isn't surprising for a third-round rookie. The arm accuracy has been impressive in camp as of late, which has even led to Mike LaFleur's decision to start Beck in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Panthers.
Hopefully that preseason sample gives Arizona a better sense of what they truly have on their hands. Right now, it's what many expected. Jacoby Brissett is showing he's the better immediate option, but Beck has shown just enough to make a compelling case for a midseason switch at signal-caller if the Cardinals' record gets out of hand.
Stock: Flat
Kaleb Proctor, DT
Proctor's stock is down but to no fault of his own. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending torn meniscus during an offseason workout that forced the Cardinals to place him on IR. LaFleur added that Proctor could've potentially attempted a return around December, but it simply wasn't worth rushing the rookie back.
Stock: Down (injury)
Reggie Virgil, WR
Kendrick Bourne has had a solid enough camp to solidify his place as the Cardinals' WR3 alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. But that doesn't diminish how well the Cardinals' fifth-round rookie Virgil has performed. He even recorded two touchdowns in Arizona's Aug. 2 practice, showing he's capable of being both a serious and red-zone threat with a 6-foot-3 frame.
If he keeps up this play, LaFleur will have to find a way to implement him into the rotation. At the very least, he's done enough to get their attention.
Stock: Up
Karson Sharar, LB
The Iowa product hasn't necessarily done anything to move the needle one way or another, especially as a sixth-round selection.
Arizona has a crowded linebacker room between Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Mack Wilson Sr., and Cody Simon. Sharar is currently listed as a third-stringer in their initial depth chart and really may only have a viable path through special teams. We'll see how he fares in the preseason and whether he can carve out a role.
Stock: Flat
Jayden Williams, OT
Jayden Williams has arguably had the strongest camp of any Cardinals rookie, at least relative to where they were picked. The Cardinals have been impressed with his speed early on, which has led to a more significant role than many initially expected.
A seventh-round afterthought is already getting second-team reps? He's even listed as the backup behind RT Elijah Wilkinson in their Hall of Fame Game depth chart.
I'm not sure if Williams being the second-stringer says more about him or the Cardinals' lack of depth at the position. Still, they have to be thrilled with what they managed to find this late in the draft.
Stock: Up
Add us as a preferred source on Google