Arizona Cardinals: Rookie expectations for the 2020 season
By Matt Murray
After an unpredictable 2020 offseason, what are reasonable expectations for the Arizona Cardinals rookie class?
The Arizona Cardinals rookies have had to endure what could be explained as the most difficult offseason of the recent past. With COVID-19 bringing any team activities including signings to a halt the rookies have been in a standstill when it comes to becoming part of the team. This includes workouts and forming relationships with players who will be playing alongside them.
The Arizona Cardinals have signed all of their draft picks and are now in the process of testing for COVID-19 and preparing to finally have them in the building. The defensive rookies include stud defensive player Isaiah Simmons, defensive lineman Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence and linebacker Evan Weaver. On offense, they signed two draftees in lineman Josh Jones and running back and local talent Eno Benjamin.
Although there has been speculation of what each player’s upside will be this season, I think it is important to understand the role they could play and how they fit in their position rooms with the Cardinals.
The impact of COVID-19 will drastically affect how rookies will be used in 2020 due to their lack of familiarity with their new schemes, speed of the game and overall familiarity with how the NFL game works. However, I believe the Cardinals have many players that could make a big impact in year one.
Currently, I believe only one rookie will be starting in 2020 but the rest of the class should all make some impact throughout the season. All six players in this class were brought into positions of need to help in 2020 or to fill spots where contracts will be ending at the end of the season. What should we expect out of these Arizona Cardinals rookies in 2020?