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Combine: 9 Offensive Players Who Shot Up Cardinals Draft Board

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Combine: 9 Offensive Players Who Shot Up Cardinals Draft Board


The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has officially concluded, and we will walk away from Indianapolis with updated boards. The attention is on the defensive side of the football, but there are still several playmaker on offense who Found a way to stand out.

We will see changes to ordering on an annual basis following the Combine, but this year feels like it could lead to drastic shakeups.

As always, we are focused on the Arizona Cardinals perceptive here, and they were busy on Sunday watching offensive lineman. Of course, they were still looking at this year‘s wide receiver group while monitoring quarterbacks not named Cam Ward, or Shedeur Sanders.

Arizona should be traveling back to the desert happy with what they saw from all three of those position groups. A backup quarterback who can challenge Kyler Murray is needed, and those guys were displayed and looked good.

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Upgrades in depth are needed at receiver, including a need for speed, And more than a handful of guys check that off. And the offensive line has players at all five spot — Something that is vital for AZ.

Obviously, running backs and tight ends worked out as well, but considering the Cardinals don’t have a drastic need for either of those positions we will be leaving them out of this piece.

Let’s take a look at the biggest winners from those three spots, starting with quarterback:

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

The top quarterbacks in this draft class decided not to throw the ball to combine and Dart decided to capitalize on that opportunity.

The long time Ole Miss starter was the most consistent passer in Indianapolis, which is currently worth its weight in gold.

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As we try and figure out who QB3 is in this class, Dart is continuing to make his case as the runaway third option.

Quinn Ewers, Texas

Ewers also had a nice opportunity to sling the ball around With Ward and Sanders, deciding not to throw. Like Dart, Ewers made the most of it.

What stood out as the biggest point of strength in Ewers’ game has been his mechanics and ball placement. Both were on this way as he was hitting receivers at all three levels of the field.

Tyler Shough, Louisville

Show is undoubtedly one of the quarterbacks that you have likely not heard very much about. After his performance in Indianapolis, you should expect him to be one of the more talked about quarterbacks in the third tier like Riley Leonard and Kurtis Rourke.

With a strong day as anyone else in Indy, show displayed a big arm that helped to separate him from some of the others in front of him, including Dart and Ewers.

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Honorable Mention:
Brady Cook (Missouri)

Matthew Golden, Texas

If you were to rank the top five players who made the most of their workouts at this year’s combine, Golden would be among them.

Not only did the star Texas receiver finish the 2024 season as hot as anyone else, but he put on a spectacle and workout clothes including a 4.29-second 40 yard dash time.

It feels like with each passing week that Golden continues to climb up draft boards. At this rate, he’s on a collision course with being a top 20 pick.

Projection: Top-20 pick

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Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

The redshirt sophomore from Stanford has as much athletic upside in this class as any other receiver. Ayomanor is a special prospect, despite how green he is with his age.

Ayomanor ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash time plus good leaping ability. There’s a ton of like here and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team liked him enough to roll the dice on him with a top pick. He’s raw, but his upside is through the roof.

Projection: End of RD1; Early Day 2

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Higgins flew under the radar in 2024 despite eclipsing 1100 receiving yards. While he has made some progress throughout the draft process, it still feels like Higgins is being overlooked and valued.

Hopefully his Combine performance changes that a little bit.

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The Iowa State receiver clocked a 4.47–seconds 40-yard dash time to go with a 39” vertical and 10‘8“ broad jump. Athleticism wasn’t a question, but Higgins left it all on the field with lots to like.

Projection: Top-50 pick

Honorable mentions:
Jaylin Noel (Iowa State), Jack Bech (TCU), Tai Felton (Maryland)

Armand Membou, Missouri

Don’t let the fact that Membou Is best suited as a right tackle for you — Membou Is projecting to be a top end offensive line prospect in this class. Someone want him to stay outside, others want him to move to guard. One thing is for certain: he’s going to be a star.

Membou weighed in at 332 lbs and somehow ran a sub-five-second 40-yard dash… That defies logic. The Mizzou product showed plenty of athleticism throughout the other events, and it should mock up a first-round pick for him with the potential to land as high as inside the top 20.

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Projection: Top-20 picks; RD1 Lock

Tate Ratledge, Georgia

There’s very few true offensive guards in this class that have people excited. In fact, most of the top perceived guards available are offensive tackles that people want to move inside.

Ratledge is a true guard, but is typically seen as a late day two/day three selection. He may have been able to change his fortunes.

The long-time Georgia standout was able to clock the fastest three-cone of any offensive lineman in Indianapolis The show off his ability to bend and change directions quickly.

Considering the lack of true guards in this draft coupled with an excellent Combine showing, Ratledge has likely secured a spot in the top 100 pics and should be a day two selection.

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Projection: Day Two

Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

Zabel played left tackle last season, he played right tackle the year before that, and he has experience guard from previous seasons… And his projection to the pros is center.

No matter where he ends up at the next level, there’s one thing for sure: Zabel is proving himself to be amongst the most athletic offensive lineman in the class regardless of position.

The NDSU product moves fluidly and clearly looks comfortable enough to play any of the five spots. His Combine showing solidified that belief and he should be rewarded with an early selection.

Projection: RD1; Early Day two

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Honorable mentions:
Will Campbell (LSU), Jared Wilson (Georgia)



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8 best menus to try during Arizona Spring Restaurant Week 2026

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8 best menus to try during Arizona Spring Restaurant Week 2026


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Restaurant Week is returning to Arizona, which means its time to try something new at some of the best locally-owned restaurants in the state for lower-than-usual prices.

Spring Restaurant Week lasts from May 15-24, and will return in the fall from September 18-27. During those weeks, three-course prix fixe menus are available at over 200 local restaurants for $33, $44 or $55.

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Reservations are not required at most establishments to enjoy the Restaurant Week menus, but they are highly encouraged.

With so many to choose from, we combed through the offerings to find the stand out deals. Many of the participating restaurants have appeared on The Arizona Republic’s list of 100 essential restaurants. Others have received numerous national awards and recognitions, including several James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalists.

Here are 8 of the best menus to try during Arizona Spring Restaurant Week 2026.

Beginner’s Luck

When Beginner’s Luck opened in Old Town Scottsdale in December 2023, The Republic’s Bahar Anooshahr fell in love with chef Bernie Kantak’s brunch. The restaurant later earned him a spot on the semifinalist list for Best Chef — Southwest for the James Beard Foundation Awards in 2025.

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Beginner’s Luck’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes roasted corn and green chile chowder, pork belly, pan roasted Norwegian salmon, mole rojo short rib and blueberry bread pudding. Many options are gluten-free.

Details: 7240 E. Main St., Suite C100, Scottsdale. 480-571-0416, beginnersluckaz.com.

Cocina Chiwas

Multiple-time James Beard Award semifinalists and culinary power couple Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin opened Cocina Chiwas at Culdesac Tempe in 2023 as an upscale sister restaurant to their original Tacos Chiwas restaurants.

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Cocina Chiwas’ $44 Restaurant Week menu includes ceviche, ribeye tacos, mole and pastel de elote. For an additional $14, guests can try the Roxxstar cocktail made with vodka, Cocchi Rosa, watermelon, lemon juice, yuzu and orange bitters.

Details: 2001 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe. 480-916-3690, cocinachiwasaz.com.

Espiritu

Espiritu is a chef-driven Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar from the teams behind Bacanora and Tacos Chiwas. It was named one of the best new restaurants in the U.S. in 2022, the year it opened in downtown Mesa.

Espiritu’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes birria dumplings, K4 flat iron steak, pan seared red drum filet, vegan potato tacos and chile chocolate truffle.

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Details: 123 Main St., Mesa. 480-272-6825, espiritumesa.com.

First & Last

First & Last is a contemporary neighborhood restaurant. Their sandwiches are Instagram-famous and got the stamp of approval from The Republic. The whole menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

First & Last’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes roasted beet salad, Hiramasa crudo, bacon sourdough bolognese, grilled chicken piccata and pistachio tiramisu. The menu also includes recommended optional wine pairings for each course.

Details: 1001 N. Third Ave., Suite 1, Phoenix. 602-975-8297, firstandlastphx.com.

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Indibar

Indibar was named one of USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year in 2025 for its fine dining twist on traditional Indian cuisine. It was also a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2026.

Indibar’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes avocado papdi chaat, paneer tikka, achari broccoli, crab curry with mango and dried chilies, veg korma and rasmali tres leches.

Details: 6208 N. Scottsdale Road, Paradise Valley. 480-219-9774, theindibar.com.

Latha

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Latha is a pan-African restaurant led by Evelia Davis and chef Digby Stridiron in downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square. The restaurant pulls inspiration from the entire Black diaspora, from Africa to the Caribbean to the American South.

Latha’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes whipped goat cheese, Griot wings, dayboat moqueca, pineapple piri piri chicken, oxtail barbacoa and southern poundcake.

Details: 628 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 480-640-6183, lathaphx.com.

Tarbell’s

Tarbell’s is celebrity chef Mark Tarbell’s namesake restaurant and magnum opus. Described as a “neighborhood restaurant for the nation,” Tarbell’s has received numerous accolades since opening in 1994.

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Tarbell’s $55 Restaurant Week menu options include a shrimp ceviche tostada, endive salad with tomato caper vinaigrette, pan seared chicken, beef rillette, charred tomato risotto, chocolate cake or whipped lemon curd and berries.

Details: 3213 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-955-8100, tarbells.com.

Warren’s Supper Club

Larry Warren White and Rasheeda White, the owners of Monroe’s Hot Chicken, Lo Lo’s Chicken & Waffles and Brunch and Sip, opened Warren’s Supper Club in 2025. Larry “Lo-Lo” is the grandson of beloved Phoenix restaurateur Mrs. White, the owner of Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe. 

Warren’s Supper Club’s $55 Restaurant Week menu options include lobster deviled eggs, charbroiled oysters, apple and walnut salad, wild mushroom campanelle, baby back Korean sticky ribs, blackened salmon and a half smoked chicken.

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Details: 1040 N. 54th St., Chandler. 480-753-1040, warrenssupperclub.com.

Reach the reporter at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.





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Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #40: 5/11 @ Rangers

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Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #40: 5/11 @ Rangers


Any time we go to Globe Field, memories immediately go back to the 2023 World Series, when we faced the Texas Rangers in this ballpark. It’s interesting to note that neither team has made it back to the postseason since then. Indeed, at least the D-backs have come close: the Rangers failed to post a winning record in 2024 or 2025, missing out on the playoffs by eight and six games respectively. The two sides have similar records right now as well, with Texas’s 19-21 a mere half a game behind Arizona’s 19-20. However, in the mediocre AL West, that’s good enough for the Rangers to be in second, two games back of… the Athletics? Wait, what?

Yeah, the last time before this year the A’s had sole possession of first was June 19, 2021 – y’know, back when they were in a different city, and weren’t embarrassed to name it. But, then, the AL as a whole is strikingly mediocre, with only three teams above .500: the Yankees, Rays and A’s. It’s because just four teams have winning records in interleague play, and none of those are better than 5-4. Right now, the National League is 25 games above .500 in interleague play, at 315-290. Texas are 7-8, taking two of three from the Cubs, Phillies and Pirates, but losing to the Dodgers and getting swept by the Reds (y’know back when they didn’t suck).

Last time the Diamondbacks were here was in August last season, and we took two out of three. We lost the opening game on a walkoff, 7-6, but rebounded to take the next two contests, by margins of 3-2 and 6-4. Andrew Saalfrank got the save in the final game. How long ago that all seems. We’ll see if Michael Soroka can keep the sterling streak of starts going. He was certainly a hard-luck loser last time, allowing just the one run over 6.1 innings. But that was enough in a 1-0 loss. In his last three start, the D-backs have scored a total of two runs, so hopefully he gets a bit more support tonight.



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Where to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 11

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Where to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 11


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Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.

We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Monday as the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Texas Rangers.

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See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers?

First pitch between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. (ET) on Monday, May 11.

How to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers on Monday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:32 a.m.

Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

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MLB scores, results

MLB scores for May 11 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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