Arizona Cardinals: Rookie expectations for the 2020 season

In the late rounds the Cardinals didn’t disappoint but how or where can Evan Weaver and Eno Benjamin make their biggest contributions?

Evan Weaver has been a tackling machine in college and over the past two seasons had 70 more tackles than anyone else in this draft class. He is strong against the run and shows great pursuit even though he lacks some overall speed and quickness. His downside is shown in his coverage skills making it hard to see him as an every-down linebacker in the league now or even in the future.

However, I do see Weaver being a big contributor on early downs and on special teams as it is hard to find someone with as much determination and grit as he has. He is a special talent when tackling which will lead to him being at the minimum a long term special teams player.

Eno Benjamin

In the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected local talent, Eno Benjamin, to fill their running back room. Currently, as the team sits, I see him as the Cardinals RB3 behind Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds.

With the way we saw Kliff Kingsbury use running backs in 2019 I don’t think we will see Benjamin consistently in 2020, but he will have a role in certain weeks. Benjamin will likely be used in pass-catching scenarios to begin but he could also get some looks on the goal line as well.

I think this year will be a great try out for all three running backs on the Cardinals to see who will take over in 2021 as Kenyan Drake is currently on just a one-year transition tag. Another name to watch entering training camp is UDFA Jonathan Ward who could make the roster or practice squad and factor into the future of the position.