Preparation is already underway for the 2016 NFL season set to start in September. The Arizona Cardinals enjoyed a mixed 2015 season finishing 2nd in their division and making it to the postseason before ultimately falling short in the NFC Championship to the Carolina Panthers. Bruce Arians will be looking for a much better performance this season and here are the five players who could have a monster season in order to help the Cards achieve their ambitions. Check out the current odds for all NFL teams ahead of the coming season.
Patrick Peterson
The Cards Cornerback may well be outspoken claiming to be the best CB in the world and stating that he likes to let his play do the talking for him. He’s quick to openly criticise his contemporaries so this coming season he really needs to put his money where his mouth is and help Arizona have a great season.
Jared Veldheer
ESPN writer Vincent Verhei recently declared the Cards Left Tackle to be their most underrated player. He states that ‘Veldheer has never made a Pro Bowl but the he has had his best season in 2015. He ranked third at his position in snaps per blown block and the Cardinals improved from 32nd to ninth in adjusted line yards for runs off left tackle.’ Very glowing praise indeed, we hope it lights a fire under Veldheer and encourages him to have an even better season this time around.
David Johnson
He’s only just complete his first season with the Cardinals and the 24 year old Running Back is already being compared to some of the greats. Tyrann Mathieu appeared on an episode of All or Nothing: A Season with the Arizona Cardinals and compared his young teammate to the legendary Marshall Frank. It’s very rare for a third round draft pick to be compare with a Hall of Famer but it’s also even rarer for a rookie to have a season as good as David Johnson had.
Drew Stanton
While he currently lists near the top of any list of backup NFL quarterbacks, Stanton is not content with being a backup. The veteran proved his worth to the Cards when he relieved injured Carson Palmer in 2014 and won five or his eight starts before suffering an injury of his own. Stanton is more than aware of the ticking clock on Palmer’s career, and is hoping he can take the 36 year olds place in the event of his retirement. Should Stanton get his chance, he’ll then have a big point to prove if he wishes to retain the spot.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Admittedly this one is a huge long shot but the Hollywood A-lister and part-time WWE Superstar recently melted the internet when he tweeted that he would’ve loved to play for current Cardinals boss Bruce Arians. Better known for laying the smack down in the squared-circle, the former 10-time World Champion played college football for Miami and is clearly still in tremendous physical shape. We reckon that Bruce Arians would take Johnson up on his offer, maybe it’s not too late.
