Arizona Cardinals camp: Who's shined, who's behind after first week

It’s far too early in Arizona Cardinals’ training camp to make any real determinations about who’s in and who’s out, but after five full practices now at State Farm Stadium, there’s been enough time to examine a few things.

So instead of calling this the “Winners and Losers from Week 1,” let’s be fair, give it some more time, and call it, “Who’s Shined and Who’s Behind,” shall we?

Keep in mind that coach Jonathan Gannon, his entire staff and general manager Monti Ossenfort and others are keeping strict tabs on everyone and everything they witness. In addition to watching every practice session live, they also continuously scour hours of videotape each day and night to scrutinize the smallest of details as to who is making strides and who is making mistakes.

Mistakes, Gannon assures, are always going to occur in football. But as a player, you have to learn from it, correct it and try to never make it again. That, Gannon said, is “the epitome of getting better.”

Some mistakes, however, are unforgivable in Gannon’s eyes.

“I’ll let you guys in on something,” he said early in camp. “There’s mistakes called ‘non-negotiables.’ That’s why they’re called ‘non-negotiables.’ If they want to be a Cardinal, they ain’t making those.”

Gannon, Ossenfort and the others higher up in the franchise food chain aren’t about to throw anyone under the bus this early in camp, but for now, here’s an honest look at “Who’s Shined and Who’s Behind” after the first week of camp:

Who’s Shined

Will Johnson, rookie cornerback

Arizona’s second-round pick earlier this year out of Michigan continues to look like he can become one of the biggest steals of the 2025 draft. He’s been regularly taking first-team reps and hasn’t been limited by any of the toe, hamstring and knee issues that presumably made him drop out of the first round.

“Yeah, it’s great,” Ossenfort said. “For any rookie player, it’s hard to miss time. Will’s done a great job of getting himself in a position to go out there and compete, and he’s stacked a few good days together, and that’s great to see. For anybody, the clock is ticking on earning roles and carving out responsibilities on a team, and so the more available you can be, for Will and no matter who it is, for those guys to be out here and earning trust of their teammates and coaches, that’s only going to help them moving forward.”

Johnson projects to earn one of the two starting outside cornerback spots and he’s been making plenty of positive plays thus far in camp. But nothing is close to being official this early, Gannon says.

“He’s smart,” Gannon said of Johnson. “He’s picked up everything really quickly, in my opinion. Production gives you the chance to get more reps. He’s competing for his role right now, I can say that.”

Trey McBride, Pro Bowl tight end

This guy, who shattered his own franchise record last year for most receptions by a tight end in a single season (111) and posted the second-most receiving yards by a Cardinals’ tight end (1,146), keeps making plays every single day. It’s because he continually finds ways to get open, and quarterback Kyler Murray hasn’t been shy about targeting him, either.

It’s gotten to the point where McBride’s mere presence has been a daily touchstone moment for Arizona’s defense and coordinator Nick Rallis, according to Gannon, who relayed what a typical conversation with his DC might sound be saying, “Yeah, ‘Nick, you better put two on him or he’s going to wreck every practice,’ ” noting Rallis can’t always commit his defense to a double-team concept.

“There’s more tools to take away receivers than there are tight ends, truthfully,” Gannon added. “Now, there’s ways you can do it. But it’s taking away from the structure, typically, of the defense. I’m glad we go against such a good player like that because we’re going to see them. They’re in our division. They’re all scattered throughout the league. It might not be as sexy as a receiver, but when tight ends go off, it can kill ya."

Marvin Harrison Jr., second-year wide receiver

There has been a clear message being sent during camp that the connection between Murray and Harrison is going to take precedence.

It hasn’t exactly been overkill, but as Gannon has said, the more reps those two key pieces of the offense can get together, the more dynamic and explosive things can become for the Cardinals in 2025. The two are hitting on short, intermediate or deep balls, and whether the club is in high- or low-tempo mode in practices.

If it holds up, that can only help the more bulked-up Harrison make the leap from a solid rookie season to an even more memorable one in 2025.

“I’m extremely pleased with Marv," Ossenfort said. "Marvin is everything we thought he would be. Marvin’s professionalism, maturity — it’s off the charts.

“We’re expecting great things from Marvin. I don’t know if there was a day this offseason when he wasn’t around putting the time in, the work in, and I really think it’s going to show this year, and it’s going to pick up from where he left off last year.”

Who’s Behind

Walter Nolen III, rookie defensive lineman

The 16^th overall draft pick from Ole Miss hasn’t been available since suffering a calf injury prior to camp and ending up on the Physically Unable to Perform list, where he is expected to remain for some time. It’s not a complete disaster, but it brings back memories of what happened to another first-round pick a year ago in D-lineman Darius Robinson, who was limited to just six games as a rookie because of a strained calf.

The good news is that Robinson has looked great so far in camp. There is no telling, though, how Nolen will respond once he is cleared to return to practice.

Veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell, back with the Cardinals after playing eight seasons elsewhere, said he’s talked to Nolen at length and has told him what to do.

“My No. 1 advice was, ‘Let it heal all the way,’ ” Campbell said. “Calves have a big re-injury rate when you try to rush back, and he’s very excited, as any rookie would be to get back on the field. But it’s like, ‘You’re going to be fine. I know you want to get to training camp and be around the guys and compete and show what you can do, but let it heal all the way so it don’t bother you the rest of the season. We know what you can do. We’ll get you healthy and ready to go when the time comes.’ ”

Starling Thomas V, third-year cornerback

Unfortunately for Thomas, an undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2023, who the Cardinals acquired off waivers from the Detroit Lions, his 2025 season is done. He suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a pass breakup in camp on July 25.

Thomas was in the mix for one of the two starting outside corner spots, and his 22 starts were the most among all NFL players who entered the league as rookie free agents since 2023.

As for meeting with Thomas after the player’s injury, Gannon said, “It’s probably the worst part of my job when you talk to them.”

BJ Ojulari, third-year outside linebacker

Noticing a trend here yet? Yes, it’s another injured player.

Ojulari missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL in camp and is presently on the PUP list as he continues his recovery and ongoing rehab. It wasn’t a shock to learn he wasn’t ready this early, but he’s behind the 8-ball to start 2025 and that’s because he isn’t even on the depth chart yet, given his medical situation.

There’s still time for Ojulari to make a run at significant playing time, however, assuming he can return to the practice field sooner rather than later. The only OLB with a guaranteed starting spot in our eyes is veteran free-agent acquisition Josh Sweat, whom the Cardinals signed away from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Sweat looks and plays like the real deal.

Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals camp: Some have stood out, some are stuck