Cardinals Draft Picks Will Boost Multiple Positions
The Arizona Cardinals' rookie minicamp is now in the past, as 20+ players ranging from draft picks to try-out players and undrafted free agents were on the grass at the team's facility in Tempe to showcase their skills and gain an understanding of what the upcoming months can potentially bring.
It's an exciting time for a Cardinals organization that could surely use it after a tumultuous offseason. For the first time in months, actual football can be discussed.
The 2023 NFL Draft was held weeks ago, yet there's still plenty of buzz surrounding their picks and what Arizona was able to accomplish for both the present and future.
We previously discussed what Arizona targeted in terms of football character, yet another continued target for incoming players was versatility.
When you look at Arizona's draft class, you can see the trend:
Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson started at left tackle for Ohio State in 2022 after starting at right guard in 2021. His freshman season he logged snaps at left guard, right guard and right tackle.
“I'm most comfortable anywhere. I just take the time to be able to own that spot. I can play anywhere, so that's what I'm excited about, just being able to use my versatility to help the team," said Johnson on draft night.
BJ Ojulari
Last season, Ojulari aligned on both the left (322 snaps) and right (381) side as an outside linebacker for LSU. He also logged snaps at slot corner (17) as well. 2021 saw most of the same though he was listed as a defensive end.
"As far as on the field ability-wise I love what Ojulari can do in the pass and run game. He’s a very versatile player," said defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
"I think he’s a very natural pass rusher, and you can see his bend. I think coming off the edge with speed, he can beat you with speed but as soon as he gets overset it’s not, ‘Oh no, what happened?’ He’s very fluid and natural with his counter rushes, and then on top of that he can stick a long arm in there and work moves off his long arm.
"As far as his rush ability, he’s very versatile and very natural. There is a bit of— how natural is this guy rushing off the edge? He’s very natural. Then I love the tools that he has in the run game as far as being able to set some violent edges and collapse the edge. That’s what we’re looking for at that spot."
Michael Wilson
In his final year at Stanford, Wilson logged 267 snaps at wideout with 61 snaps at slot receiver. That was a trend that held for majority of his college career, though in 2020 he did log almost as many snaps as a slot (87) than as a wideout (92).
“I think he brings a lot to the table from the receiver position. Certainly, his size, his fluidity, route running at the catch point— he’s a really smooth athlete," said offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
"I’m excited to get him in here, let him compete and see what he can do on the field, but I think he does bring a lot to the table and gives these guys a lot to think about in terms of how they would want to defend him.”
Jon Gaines
Gaines is perhaps the king of versatility, as he registered extended experience at multiple spots along UCLA's offensive line during his career.
2022: 932 snaps at right guard
2021: 1 snap at left tackle, 122 at center, 590 at right guard, 94 at right tackle
2020: 62 snaps at center, 316 snaps at right guard
“I think that’s my biggest strength as a player, UCLA blessed me with the opportunity to play all across the offensive line," Gaines said on draft night.
"I had a lot of snaps at a lot of different positions. I’m just excited to have versatility, I feel like I can play anything. As long as I’m able to be on the field have an impression and help the team out is all that I want to do at the end of the day.”
Kei'Trel Clark
Clark transitioned to some slot corner duties in 2022 after primarily playing on the boundary for his career.
2022: 252 snaps at slot, 423 at boundary corner, 71 snaps in the box, 20 directly at the line of scrimmage
2021: 465 snaps at boundary corner, 41 snaps in the box
2020: 470 at boundary corner, 44 in the box, 16 at deep safety
"It’s a crazy story, so me and (cornerbacks) coach Ryan Smith recruited me out of high school, to go to his school and he ended up at Arizona. So I feel like it’s all destiny, I feel like it was willing to happen, I feel like they can use me in so many different ways," Clark said following the draft.
"I love the program and I love what they’re building over there, so I’m just excited.”
Dante Stills
Stills played a few different positions along the defensive line at West Virginia.
2022: 262 snaps over the tackle, 223 snaps in the B gap, 111 snaps outside of the tackle
2021: 275 snaps over the tackle, 263 snaps in the B gap, 79 snaps outside of the tackle, 27 snaps in the A gap
2020: 380 snaps in the B gap, 70 snaps over the tackle, 32 snaps outside of the tackle, 19 snaps in the A gap
“Very versatile, getting up the field and causing havoc. I like to shed blocks and get sacks, TFLs, that’s kind of my whole deal," said Stills when asked to describe his game.
"I will get up field and cause disruption no matter what it is, Y zone, any type of formation. I’m a total package, I can rush from the inside and the outside, I can play the run from inside and outside. I’m excited right now, I’m just happy to be a Cardinal. I’m very happy.”
The theme of versatility was addressed by general manager Monti Ossenfort touched on following the conclusion of the draft.
"Position versatility is always going to be something that we value, whether it's Jon Gaines who's played multiple positions, Kei’Trel Clark who has played inside and outside, Dante Stills who has played multiple places along the line of scrimmage. Those are things that goes back to the old saying, the more you can do, it applies to the football team too. We’re definitely looking forward to adding those guys," Ossenfort said.
"Like it's hard if you're like Dave just alluded to, if you're a one position player, you better do that one position really well. So, you know, all those guys are going to work everywhere.”
